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Easy way to remove a stump


How To Kill a Tree Stump (2022 Guide)

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From home remedies to professional solutions, here’s everything you need to know about getting rid of a tree stump in your yard.

Reviews by This Old House Reviews Team 10/05/2022 2:05 pm

Cutting down trees in your yard is a great way to improve the natural lighting for other plants and make way for new trees to grow. If you’ve removed a tree in your yard, you know how pesky its leftover stump can be.

While you could leave it alone, it could start to grow, sprouting annoying shoots from its roots, or it may take years to naturally rot and decompose. Try the following techniques to kill the tree stump and remove it from your yard or find a tree removal expert to take care of it for you.

Home Remedies for Tree Stump Removal

Here are a few ways you can get rid of a tree stump before getting your hands dirty with physical removal.

Epsom Salt

This is a common DIY method for killing tree trunks, as it accelerates the decomposition process to 6–12 months, as opposed to three to seven years for natural rotting. Epsom salt contains magnesium and sulfur, which are beneficial to plants but deadly in large quantities. Overdosing the stump with Epsom salt pulls the moisture out of it, killing it and accelerating the decaying process.

Here’s how to use Epsom salt to kill a tree stump:

  1. Drill deep holes in the stump about an inch wide with a power drill and a wide drill bit.
  2. Sprinkle the stump with water after covering the top of the stump with Epsom salt.
  3. Cover the stump with a tarp to keep the rain from washing away the substance.
  4. Repeat this process every few weeks to ensure its success.

If this process is successful, the stump will die within two to three months and be close to full decay after a year. This is a great solution for homeowners who want a slower, natural approach to killing their tree stump.

Rock Salt

Similar to Epsom salt, rock salt can help kill and decay a stump with minimal effort. Here’s how to kill a tree stump with rock salt:

  1. Drill holes into the stump.
  2. Pack the holes with rock salt.
  3. After all of the holes are packed and the stump is covered in salt, pour soil and mulch over the stump.
  4. Then, pour water over the mulch—this will dissolve the salt, help the roots absorb the solution, and pack the soil.

Keep watering the stump every few days for one to two months to keep the stump moist with the saltwater solution, promoting absorption and the growth of fungi that can accelerate the stump’s decomposition. You can also add a potassium nitrate fertilizer to further support the growing fungi.

Plastic Bag or Tarp

Perhaps the easiest method to kill a tree stump is forcing darkness on it. Without sunlight, the tree stump will die, accelerating the decomposition process. Rotting should start to take place in two to three months.

Here’s how to kill a tree stump with a plastic bag or tarp:

  1. Similar to other methods, cut the stump as close to the roots as possible with a chainsaw, hatchet, or handsaw.
  2. Cover the stump with a black trash bag.
  3. Weigh the bag down with heavy rocks or bricks. For a smaller stump, use a dark-colored bucket or container to cover the stump.

This technique requires little to no effort, but it can be slower compared with the physical removal methods.

Boiling Water

You don’t need to purchase any substance or solution to try this remedy—all you need is hot water.

  1. Expose as much of the stump’s root structure as possible.
  2. Drill holes into the roots and on top of the stump—this will help the scalding water reach as much of the root system as possible and kill the roots with heat.
  3. Once all the roots are exposed, pour boiling water over them. The heat from the water will shock the root system, severely damaging it and killing it.

Once the stump and roots are dead, the natural decomposition process can begin.

Techniques To Physically Remove a Tree Stump

If you have the time and resources to use physical methods to kill and remove your tree stump, consider the following techniques. Compared to home remedies, they are much quicker but take a bit more effort, tools, and money to perform.

Use Fire To Kill a Tree Stump

Use some kindling or kerosene to burn the stump so that it doesn’t protrude from the ground. This method will kill the tree, but it won’t completely get rid of the tree roots and stump. Keep in mind that this may not be an option if you live in an area with a dry climate that’s prone to wildfires. Check with your local fire department to see if burning a tree stump falls in line with the local fire code.

Once you have approval to burn your tree stump, there are a few ways you can move forward. You can drill holes into the trunk, pour kerosene into each hole, light scrap wood on the surface of the stump, and carefully monitor the wood as it burns. This method is slower, but it burns the wood from deeper within the stump.

You can also cut criss-cross lines in the wood that are about five to six inches deep with a chainsaw, then simply light some kindling on top and monitor the stump until it’s burned down below ground level.

Dig the Tree Stump Out of the Ground

Digging out a tree stump is one way to remove it from your yard, but it can require time-consuming work that can be potentially destructive to your yard or garden. This method allows you to remove as many tree roots as possible and ensure that the stump doesn’t continue to grow. To save time and effort, consider hiring a professional with digging equipment to handle the job.

Here’s how to dig a tree stump out of the ground:

  1. Dig around the stump, exposing as many roots as possible.
  2. Use a chainsaw, hatchet, or handsaw to cut the larger roots. As you continue digging, you may find smaller roots that can be cut with clippers or loppers.
  3. Once you’ve cut all of the roots around the stump, lift and remove the stump from the ground.
  4. Fill the hole with dirt and cover it with topsoil or mulch.

Note: This process can take multiple hours of labor, depending on the size of the tree stump and the root structure.

Free Quote: Get your free quote on professional stump removal today

Grinding the Tree Stump

This is the quickest method for killing and removing tree stumps. It involves hiring a tree removal specialist or renting a stump grinder machine to break apart the wood in the trunk and tree roots. Typical prices for this job are around $100–$400. Stump grinder machine rental costs typically fall between $80 and $150 for a four-hour window.

To grind a tree stump, start by trimming the stump with a chainsaw, digging around it and removing any rocks. Then, use the machine’s cutter blade to chip away at the wood and cut any roots that are connected to the stump. This process can take anywhere from two to six hours depending on the size of the stump. Once you’re finished, spread dirt in and over the hole, adding topsoil or mulch if desired.

What To Avoid When Killing Tree Stumps

Here are a few factors to consider when removing or killing tree stumps to ensure safety and effectiveness:

The Bottom Line

If you’re trying to remove a tree stump from your yard, try one of the above methods. While we recommend the DIY techniques if you’re not in a hurry, renting a machine or hiring a professional to help grind the stump is the fastest solution.

Free Quote: Get your free quote on professional stump removal today

Enter your ZIP code into the tool below to find tree removal experts in your area that can help you get rid of your pesky stump.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How to Remove a Stump Without a Grinder

After you hire a commercial tree service to remove a tree, they can also remove the remaining stumps for an extra fee. Or, you can hire a different company to come in and do this work. But if you have felled the tree yourself, the task of removing the stump is left up to you—and it can be as difficult as removing the tree itself. You can hire a firm to come in with a large mechanical grinder to churn the stump into sawdust, but this can be expensive. Commercial stump removal can cost as much as $800 for a large stump or one in a tricky location. You could also rent a stump grinder for $150 to $400 per day, but getting this tool on-site and using it safely is no easy feat. But there are several methods that you can use to do this work without contractor costs or large equipment.

Equipment / Tools

Manual Method
Chemical Method
Burning Method

Materials

Chemical Method
Burning Method

Watch Now: How to Remove a Tree Stump Without a Grinder

When to Remove a Tree Stump

A tree stump can be removed at any time after the tree is felled, but manual removal is sometimes easier if the stump has aged and dried out somewhat. If you have the ability to let the stump remain in place for a full year or even two, the dried wood may be easier to cut out than when working on a new stump that is still green. Chemical removal, however, should begin immediately after you remove the tree.

Before Getting Started

A small- to medium-sized stump can be removed by good old-fashioned muscle work. But larger stumps can involve so much work that it's not practical—unless you can drag it out of the earth with a chain attached to the back of a pickup. For larger stumps, use the chemical method instead. A useful tool for manual removal is a mattock, which has a broad end for digging and a sharpened end for slicing. Everyone has favorite tools to use, though, and the more various digging and cutting tools you have on hand, the better. For larger stumps, you may want to enlist the aid of a helper or two to speed the work.

For those who are not up to the physical effort, or have a tree stump is too large to remove by hand, there is an easier—though much slower—method. All wood will eventually decay and rot away, and it is possible to speed up this process by keeping the stump moist and adding nitrogen in the form of a high-nitrogen fertilizer or potassium nitrate stump-removal granules. This is not an instant process—it can take a matter of months or even a year or so before a stump vanishes completely—but it is quite easy.

There is a tree stump removal product that comes in a powdered form, called "Stump-Out," which is designed to break down the wood fiber of stumps, leaving them porous. The porous wood then absorbs kerosene readily. After the porous wood is soaked with kerosene and ignited, it begins to burn away, and the fire soon becomes a low, smoldering flame. If the use of kerosene and flame is acceptable to you (and allowed in your community), this is another cheap and easy option to remove a tree stump.

Disposal of large tree stumps can be difficult. Contact your local waste disposal authorities for instructions on how and where to dispose of large garden waste items.

Safety Considerations

The Spruce

How to Remove a Tree Stump Manually

The Spruce / Ana Cadena 

  1. Dig Down Around the Stump

    Dig around the stump with the mattock's broad end. Once you have loosened the dirt in this fashion, shovel it out of your way. Be prepared to clear away a lot of soil. The bigger the stump, the more earth you'll be moving. This is necessary to gain access to all the roots that need cutting.

    When digging out a stump by hand, a hose or pressure washer can be helpful to wash away dirt to expose roots as you dig downward.

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena 

  2. Sever Visible Roots

    Use the other end of the mattock to start chopping your way through the tree roots. A bow saw can also be used to sever the roots as you uncover them.

  3. Expose the Tap Root

    Dig and chop your way under the root ball to the taproot. For all but the smallest of trees, taproots will be imposing enough to require cutting with an ax or large bow saw. Clean excess dirt off the taproot with a wet rag before cutting.

  4. Sever the Tap Root

    Chop through the taproot with your ax or with a bow saw. Be careful that the area is clear of people, pets, and objects before you start swinging the ax. Aim the ax carefully so that it does not strike dirt (which would dull the blade). Always wear steel-toed boots when wielding an ax.

    Warning

    It's best not to use an ax unless you have been educated in handling one properly. If you're not confident, try to use a bow saw for all your cutting. It may require more digging to expose the roots, but it will be safer.

  5. Extract the Stump

    Pull the stump from the hole. This may require the use of ropes or chains, as well as the assistance of helpers or a vehicle to yank a large stump from the ground.

How to Remove a Tree Stump Chemically

  1. Cut Stump to Ground Level

    Use a chain saw or bow saw to cut the stump down as close to the ground as you can, without allowing the chain saw's teeth to strike the ground (this will dull your chain). Wear steel-toed boots for this part of the job.

  2. Drill Holes and Add Chemical

    Drill holes a few inches deep into the stump in numerous places, using the biggest, widest drill bit you have. The wider and deeper the holes, the better.

    Fill these holes first with water, then with a fertilizer high in nitrogen or stump-remover granules.

    Warning

    Potassium nitrate is considered a hazardous substance, so use caution when applying potassium nitrate stump-removal granules.

  3. Water and Cover the Stump

    Soak the ground all around the stump. Cover the stump with a plastic tarp. The tarp will act as a barrier to help retain moisture in and around the stump. Moisture is a powerful ally to have on your side for this project.

    Apply an organic mulch over the plastic tarp, and water it thoroughly. An organic mulch such as tree bark or hay will hold additional moisture, keeping the area even wetter. Wet mulch is also heavy, which will help weigh the tarp down so that it doesn't blow away. For additional weight, roll some heavy stones onto the tarp. The mulch also serves the purpose of hiding the tarp from public view.

    Covered with mulch, the tree stump will be invisible as it begins to rot away. You can even cover the mulched area with various planted pots and container gardens.

  4. Tend the Stump While It Decays

    Over the coming weeks, periodically remove the mulch and tarp and apply more water and nitrogen to the stump, then cover it again. Some patience is required here, as it can still take quite some time for the stump to completely rot away. But it will be considerably faster than the decay process normally occurs in nature.

  5. Remove the Pieces

    After four to six weeks, the stump may become soft and spongy enough to begin breaking it apart with an ax. Whatever wood cannot be broken up and removed should be treated again with water and nitrogen. At some point, you can bury what remains and let it complete the decay process underground.

How to Remove a Stump by Burning

  1. Drill Holes and Apply Chemical

    Drill holes into the stump with a drill and a large bit. Apply Stump Out chemical granules, then fill the holes with water. Wait four to six weeks for the chemical to do its work.

    The more porous the stump, the more kerosine will be absorbed and the longer it will burn.

  2. Soak With Kerosene

    Slowly pour kerosene over the stump, taking care not to allow the fluid to run off and pool on the ground. Take your time to allow the kerosene to soak in. Never use gasoline or motor oil to burn a stump—gasoline is dangerously explosive, and motor oil creates toxic smoke when burning.

  3. Tend the Fire

    Ignite the stump and observe it from a safe distance as it burns. Remember that the stump may continue to smolder underground for quite some time, so put up barricades to prevent people or animals from accidentally walking over the embers.

    Warning

    Check out local community ordinances regarding open burning before using this method. While it is generally allowed in rural areas, urban and suburban locations often do not allow open burning of stumps.

    A Sample Contract for Tree Removal

When to Call a Professional

No matter what method you use, a tree stump of any appreciable size involves quite a bit of hard manual labor and often the use of potentially dangerous tools or materials. If, after reviewing these various methods, you have concerns about safety or the physical fitness required to do the work, it is best to call a professional removal service, who will have the tools and personnel to do this work quickly and safely.

It's very common for a homeowner who removes a stump themselves to then resolve to never, ever, do it again. The cost of professional stump removal often seems like a bargain to anyone who has ever tried to do it themselves.

7 ways to remove the stump without uprooting.

Photo, video

Sometimes you have to part with the trees on the site. There are enough reasons for this, maybe it got too big or stopped bearing fruit and got sick. Removing a tree from a site can be time-consuming and sometimes costly. But the most unpleasant thing is when, after cutting down a tree, your work has stalled on a stubborn stump. And all thoughts are only about how to remove this stupid stump!

The most interesting thing is that the extensive root system of the stump continues to give young shoots, and the stump itself continues to grow and not rot. And continues to live for a long time after the tree has been cut down. Luckily, there are a few tricks you can use to rid your yard of an annoyingly stubborn stump. So, how do you remove a stump without uprooting?

  • DO NOT use diesel fuel
  • Frequently asked questions about how to kill the stump
    • Does the stump remover kill the grass?
    • What can be put on a stump to make it rot?
    • Will bleach kill the stump?
    • What is the best way to kill stumps?
    • How long does Epsom salt take to kill a stump?
  • Conclusion

    • Physical Stump Removal

    If you need to remove the stump as soon as possible, you can deal with it quickly by digging, crushing or burning. Physical removal methods come with some problems. Let's take a closer look at each of these methods to find out if they are right for you or not.

    Digging out the stump

    For small stumps, up to about 30 cm in diameter, digging out may be the most practical solution. Digging requires only basic hand tools, not special equipment or renting a large and expensive machine. This is a time-consuming process, but it can be done with the right tools.

    To dig a stump, you will need a sturdy shovel, a hoe and a metal bar. A narrow shovel with a medium-length handle that digs deep and easily maneuvers around a dense root base. The hoe cuts roots like an ax and easily loosens compacted soil. Use a twig to dig deep or narrow places and pull out stubborn roots.

    To remove a stump, start by loosening the soil around it with a hoe. Clear loose soil with a shovel. When the roots are exposed, cut through them with a hoe or an axe. Continue working down and in from all sides to the main root under the stump. Use a twig to loosen the soil underneath the stump or pry the side of the stump for extra work space. When the taproot is exposed, use the sharp edge of a hoe to pierce it. Remove the stump with the root ball and any large roots.

    Burn the stump

    If the stump is completely dry, it can be burned out. This method may take longer than digging and does not completely remove roots below soil level, but may give satisfactory results with slightly less physical effort.

    Before starting a fire, clear the area of ​​flammable materials and dig up the ground within a radius of at least 5 meters from the stump. Also, run a garden hose connected to the water to quickly extinguish any flames that ignite outside the area of ​​the burning stump. Finally, schedule time to be near the stump at all times while it burns. This can take quite a long time, depending on the size, type of wood, moisture content, weather conditions, and many other variables.

    Now the hard part. Setting fire to a stump is not as easy as it seems. Dousing it with flammable liquid is not a good idea. It's dangerous and really not that effective. The liquid tends to burn without actually igniting the stump. Instead, build a fire at the top of the stump and keep it burning. To speed up the process, improve airflow by digging up the soil at the base of the stump. Fire needs oxygen, so the more it is exposed to it, the faster it will burn.

    Grind the stump

    Grind the stump can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours or more. You can hire someone to do this job, but it's an easy process to do on your own. Stump removal machines are available from equipment rental companies. If you are doing this yourself, be sure to wear appropriate safety gear when using the stump grinder, including safety goggles and hearing protection.

    The process of crushing stumps can be hazardous to the operator and bystanders. The machine grinds to a depth of about 20 cm, throwing debris to the sides. The risks of using a stump grinder are associated with wood chips or stones flying in all directions.

    Communications may be cut off. Before grinding the stump, find out if you have any communications - electricity, water or communication lines - so that you can avoid damaging them. Keep bystanders (and pets too) away from the work area while working.

    Stump Destroyer at Home

    If you have enough time, you can use your own tools to destroy the stump. The natural processes of decay will weaken the wood, allowing you to remove it more easily. If the long and slow method suits you, consider using one of these simple and inexpensive home remedies that you may already have on hand.

    Epsom salt

    An excellent option, he was awarded a separate article. Luckily, there is a favorite bath product that doubles as a simple stump remover: Epsom salts. Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate is a naturally occurring compound of magnesium, sulfur and oxygen, which are essential plant nutrients. But in high concentration, it draws moisture out of the stump, killing it within a month or more.

    Start the destruction of the stump by drilling holes with a diameter of 80 to 130 mm, about 8 cm from the edge of the stump. Try to make them as deep as possible, spaced about 2-3 cm apart. When you have made enough (the more the better) holes in the stump, cover them with Epsom salts and add water. But not too much. It is needed only in order to soak the stump with a solution without spilling it out. Then sprinkle the entire top of the stump with Epsom salt. Then cover the stump with a thick film or tarp. Then rainwater will not wash the secret ingredient out of the holes. This process can take about a month or more, the solution will eventually cut off the moisture supply to the roots and they will dry out, allowing you to easily uproot the stump and get rid of it forever.

    Rock Salt

    Rock salt is another versatile product that can help get rid of unwanted stumps, but caution is warranted here. Like Epsom salt, it kills by drawing vital moisture from the stump. Although rock salt is a natural substance that takes about the same time to break down as Epsom salt, it is less desirable.

    Rock salt or sodium chloride contains the elements sodium and chlorine. These elements not only kill stumps, but also have an adverse effect on useful plants. If the salt concentration in the soil is too high, sodium and chloride replace the phosphorus and potassium needed by plants, causing deficiency and plant death. Look out for other home remedies that use salt water to kill poison ivy and other hard-to-kill weeds.

    Light starvation

    If you want a natural, additive-free approach to stump removal, try this option. Trees and shoots that grow on stumps need light for photosynthesis, so why not turn it off? To blackout a tree, you will need a large tarp or sheet of black plastic and a large amount of organic waste such as wood chips, fallen leaves, or grass clippings.

    First cut the tree as close to the ground as possible. Then cover the stump and as many exposed roots as possible with a tarp. Finally, pile the organic waste on top of a tarp that is at least 30 cm thick. Shoots may develop from the exposed part of the root zone, but the stump will slowly weaken and die. The option is not fast, but covered and forgotten. After 3-5 months, the stump can be removed with a shovel.

    Chemicals

    Most chemicals are labeled "Use only as directed". We agree with this. Although there are a huge number of chemicals that can effectively destroy stumps, perhaps in the same way as Epsom salts. Many of them cause collateral damage to nearby plants, animals, or people. What is the point when there are better and safer alternatives? With that in mind, read on for a few well-known examples.

    Stump Remover

    Many chemical products designed to remove stumps are made with potassium nitrate. This compound contains potassium, nitrogen and oxygen, which reduce the time of natural decay from several years to 4-6 weeks. This is environmentally friendly and is a fairly quick method.

    Removers are most effective when used on old, dead stumps. If you are dealing with a freshly cut tree, start with a stump killer based on products containing systemic insecticides such as triclopyr to kill roots and prevent shoot regrowth. Apply the chemical to the top of the stump within a few minutes of making a fresh cut so that the product quickly soaks into the remaining stump and roots. If the stump was cut off not so long ago, but not 10 minutes ago, then you can drill holes as in the version with salt.

    DO NOT use bleach

    Bleach is not sold as a herbicide and should not be used on plants. The dangers outweigh the minor benefits. As noted earlier in the rock salt segment, chlorine is indeed a naturally occurring element, but it creates problems for desired plants when concentrated in the soil. The truth is that applying the high concentration needed to kill a stump can expose adjacent grass, shrubs, and perennials to toxic levels of chlorine and greatly increase soil pH. Instead, save the bleach for more appropriate uses.

    DO NOT use motor oil

    There is no good reason to use motor stump oil instead of one of the above products. Plus, a liter of motor oil costs about the same as a stump killer, which is a tried and tested product for just that purpose.

    DO NOT use diesel fuel

    Diesel is popular as a stump burning base because it does not explode like gasoline. However, as noted, the addition of a flammable liquid to the process will not provide the sustained, sustained combustion required to eliminate the stump. As a chemical stump killer, it will likely have an effect too. But judge for yourself, you need to buy a canister and some diesel fuel. Perhaps instead it makes sense to purchase specialized solutions or Epsom salts?

    Frequently asked questions about how to kill the stump

    Does the stump remover kill the grass?

    Stump remover pellets, made from potassium nitrate, specifically designed to kill stumps, will not kill grass. In fact, they are made up of compounds that break down into plant-friendly nutrients.

    What can be put on a stump to make it rot?

    Mushrooms are the most efficient organisms for breaking down wood fiber, so you can plant fungal spores in a stump. An old method of speeding up the decomposition of a stump is to cut grooves in the stump, sprinkle earth on top, and cover the stump with a tarp to promote microbial growth.

    Will bleach kill the stump?

    No studies have shown that bleach is an effective stump killer.

    What is the best way to kill stumps?

    The best stump killer is a systemic stump killer herbicide, such as triclopyr, applied directly to the fresh cut of the stump.

    How long does Epsom salt take to kill a stump?

    The Epsom Salt Method requires 8 to 10 weeks to kill the stump as directed above.

    Conclusion

    If left to rot naturally, a large stump can take decades to die and decompose. Meanwhile, it can cause many difficulties, from unsightly appearance to walking obstacle hazards and more. To get rid of the problem, you have several reasonable and effective options. For complete removal, when all the big roots should be gone, grab your tools and dig out the stump. Shredding stumps is a quick and easy solution for large stumps, but the bottom of the taproot will be left to rot naturally.

    Chemical stump removal is cheaper and requires less time and effort. But be careful to avoid unproven and unnecessarily risky household chemicals. Choose Epsom salts to kill stumps in the bud and make later removal easier. If removal is necessary but not urgent, apply stump remover pellets to speed up the process of breaking down already dead stumps. These products work slowly, but greatly facilitate the laborious process of destroying stumps on the site.

    What means do you use? Share names and experiences in the comments! If you liked the article, share it with your friends on social networks!

    Stock images from Depositphotos were used in this article.

    Balashov Daniil. Freelance writer

    How to remove a stump with your own hands? Simple instructions with photos and tips

    The formation of stumps on a land plot can be caused both by the natural withering away of green plantings, and by clearing the area for the construction of an object. The existing remnants of the tree will not only reduce the aesthetics of the site and make it impossible to erect buildings on this site, but also make it difficult to move around the yard area, take up useful space that can be used for planting other crops, will give rise to fresh shoots, and will become an excellent refuge for country pests .

    Removal of stumps on the site can be done both on their own and using special vehicles. We will talk further about how to get rid of unnecessary wood bases with minimal effort, time and money, which method to choose for this.

    Brief content of the article:

    Basic approaches

    There are several ways to remove a stump from a felled or fallen tree. There are two main approaches to their destruction, there are methods:

    The first group includes methods providing for removal without uprooting. In these cases, a variety of chemical compositions are used. By treating wood residues with a special reagent, you can achieve their faster destruction.

    Physical methods are based on the use of standard uprooting tools. In such cases, getting rid of stumps occurs with the help of a basic set: a shovel, an ax, a crowbar and a saw.


    Let's try to analyze each of the existing methods, talk about the advantages and disadvantages of one or another method.

    Burning with saltpeter

    A popular way to deal with stumps is to remove them with saltpeter. The essence of the method is the impregnation of wood residues with this chemical oxidizer and their subsequent burning. Saltpeter will ensure complete combustion of the hemp, both its aerial part and the powerful rhizome.

    Preparation for removal by this method will consist of the following steps:

    Seal the holes with pre-prepared wooden plugs of the appropriate size, or, even easier, tightly wrap the drilled surface with polyethylene.

    In this form, the stumps must be left for the whole winter and spring, by the next summer they will be saturated with the chemical composition and dry. And then a fire is made around them, it must burn until the stump is completely destroyed. At the end of the process, the place where the tree frame was previously located is dug up.

    The main advantages of this method are:

    However, this method also has a number of disadvantages:


    Removal with urea

    The preparation of the wood frame using this method will be identical to the previous method. The surface is perforated with large-diameter drills, and the resulting cavities are filled with urea - urea. Next, you need to fill the holes with water and cover the barrel with a polymer film.

    Such a simple method of removing stumps will allow, in one or two years, to completely get rid of woody bases and get a fertile layer of soil in their place.

    The main advantages of this method are as follows:

    The disadvantages of this method are:

    Safety when working with chemicals

    If you decide to deal with unwanted wood residues by chemical methods, do not forget to follow the basic rules, follow all safety precautions.


    Stump uprooting

    Stump removal on the site can be done by uprooting. Specially rented equipment will help to do this quickly and with the least effort: a tractor, an excavator, however, such activities will be quite costly if there are only a couple of unnecessary stumps on the site.

    Uprooting tree skeletons is quite possible on your own, the main thing is to follow the basic simple rules.

    First, carefully prepare for the procedure, clean the stump from the surrounding soil, this can be done in two ways:

    Using a spade, excavate a 0.5 meter radius area around the former tree.

    Also, using a shovel, dig a hole located one and a half meters from the skeleton, about a meter in diameter, about 50 cm deep, and make a groove to it from the removed woody base. After directing a powerful jet of water at the stump, the soil will begin to wash out, opening up the approach to the root system.

    With the possibility of using a winch, it is possible to perform uprooting with its help. To do this, the stump along the trunk and rhizome is wrapped with a strong metal cable, which is pulled through the winch.

    The cable leading to the winch from the sawn surface will be a kind of lever that will serve to quickly remove the frame from the ground. The winch is mounted on a pole or other tree.

    Without a winch at your disposal, you can carry out the usual mechanical removal, which is carried out by sawing off or cutting off the roots of the tree frame.

    After cutting off the lateral root system, the central pillar will remain, it is quite difficult to approach it with a tool, so it must be “loosened” by applying physical force. With the help of active movements, tilts in different directions, turns of the stump around the axis, it is possible to make its final separation from the rhizome.


    Speaking about the advantages of this method, we can highlight the following advantages: