When you want to remove a tree from the yard, you can’t forget about the stump. Contrary to what you might be thinking, it can be fairly difficult to remove a tree stump.
Thankfully, there are several effective methods out there for getting rid of old tree stumps. The method that you choose is going to depend on the situation that you’re facing.
What size is the tree stump? Does it have a deep root system? Bigger tree stumps are probably not going to be as easy as smaller tree stumps.
So what’s the easiest way to remove a tree stump? We’re glad you asked. Keep on reading and we’ll take you through everything that you’re going to want to know!
- Use Chemicals
The first step to this method is to take off as much of the tree stump as possible with a chainsaw. Make sure to wear protective safety equipment, like steel toe boots and safety goggles.
Nest, you need to drill holes through what’s left of the stump. Make sure that the holes are spaced close together. Use the biggest drill bit that you have.
First, fill the holes with water. Then, add potassium nitrate.
Soak the ground around the stump with water so that it gets saturated. Then, cover the space with a plastic tarp. The tarp is going to help keep moisture in.
Cover the tarp with mulch so that you can retain moisture. Every so often, check on the progress and add more nitrogen and water to the stump.
After one month, your tree stump should start to be spongy. You can then use an ax to remove more of the stump. You can then cover whatever is left with dirt and make a flower bed or plant grass over it.
- Remove the Tree Stump Manually
Getting rid of a tree stump manually definitely takes a lot of work. However, it’s also a fast way to get the job done.
This method is ideal for small tree stumps. If you have a big stump, then you’ll likely want to use a stump grinder.
First, use the broad part of a mattock to dig around the stump and loosen up the dirt. Then, remove the loose dirt with a shovel so that you can see the roots of the tree.
With the mattock, cut the tree roots from the tree stump. Keep chopping and digging until you reach the taproot. Clear an area around it.
Cut through the taproot with an ax. After you cut through, you can free the tree stump and pull it out of the soil.
- Remove a Tree Stump With a Stump Grinder
A stump grinder for skid steer is a big machine that can weigh hundreds of pounds. Before you rent a stump grinder, make sure that you have a truck that can move it.
First, you want to clear rocks, debris, and dirt away from the tree stump. Then, use your chainsaw to cut as much of the tree stump as you can. You want to get it to ground-level.
Then, put the stump grinder wheel over the stump and turn it on. Lower the grinder and move it from one side to another.
Grind the stump down until the whole perimeter is five inches below the ground. Fill up the hole with wood chips. Then, cover the chips with grass or soil.
- Burn the Stump
One fun and exciting way to remove a tree stump is to burn it. This can be used on its own or in conjunction with another removal strategy. You’ll need a power drill, a tree stump removal product, and fuel oil or kerosene.
The first step here is to drill holes in the stump. Then, sprinkle the powdered tree stump removal product into the holes. This is going to make the wood more porous.
Then, pour fuel oil or kerosene into the holes. Soak the tree stump completely. Let the porous wood absorb the fuel oil.
Set the tree stump on fire and let it burn. What the stump carefully and make sure that the fire smolders. Once it looks like it is just about finished, you can cover the stump with soil to help put out any fire that’s still going on.
This is a very fast way to remove a tree stump. However, if you live in a small neighborhood, you might want to check first that it’s okay to use fire on your tree stump.
- Call a Professional
If removing a tree stump on your own sounds like too much work or dangerous, don’t worry. You don’t have to do it on your own.
You can call a professional lawn care service and have them remove the stump for you. It usually costs around $100 to have a tree stump removed and the process is fairly quick.
Figuring Out the Easiest Way to Remove a Tree Stump
Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now have a better idea of how to remove a tree stump. But what’s the easiest way to remove a tree stump? That’s a question that only you can figure out for yourself.
But you should now have the information you need to make a smart and educated decision about how to take care of your lawn.
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