How to remove tree stumps

Tree stumps are stubborn eyesores that can sprout new shoots or take years to decay if left untreated. Fortunately, there are simple solutions available to deal with these troublesome stumps, making room for a lawn or other features in your garden. We will guide you through methods to eliminate tree stumps using salt, herbicides, or burlap, as well as more advanced techniques like burning or mechanical removal. No need to call a professional just yet!

Purchase Epsom salt, rock salt, or herbicide. Using Epsom or rock salt is an easy and affordable method to eliminate tree stumps. However, this approach may take months to fully kill the stump, making it less ideal if you need a quicker solution. Herbicides are more reliable and act faster.

• Avoid using regular table salt as it may harm the surrounding soil. Use pure Epsom or rock salt with no additives to ensure the soil remains undisturbed.
• If you decide to use herbicide, look for products containing glyphosate or triclopyr. While chemical herbicides work faster, they can also kill the roots of nearby plants or shrubs.

Drill holes approximately 2.5 cm into the stump. Drill several evenly spaced holes across the stump to allow salt or herbicide to penetrate the wood. The holes should be about 2.5 cm in diameter, at least 20 cm deep, and spaced about 8-10 cm apart. Aim to drill at least six holes, especially if the stump is large.

• If you don’t have a long drill bit, you can use an axe to create deep grooves in the stump.
• If the stump has exposed large roots, be sure to drill holes into them as well.

Pour salt or herbicide into the drilled holes, then add water and wax on top. Fill 3/4 of each drilled hole with Epsom or rock salt, making sure to include the holes in the roots. Next, pour a little water into each hole – just enough to wet the salt. Finally, light an unscented candle and drip wax into the holes to seal them.

• If using herbicide, follow the instructions on the packaging to ensure proper usage. Some products require mixing with water to be effective.
• Be careful to prevent salt from spilling across your yard, as excess salt can damage the topsoil and the roots of surrounding plants.

Cover the stump with opaque burlap. Use a plastic bag, garbage bag, or any material without ventilation holes to cover the stump. The stump will die faster without sunlight and rainwater to nourish new shoots. After six weeks to a few months, the stump will die. Check occasionally to monitor progress. Once the stump has died, it will begin to decompose on its own.

• After the stump has died, you can remove it using a stump grinder or by digging it out.

Cover the stump with opaque tarpaulin. This inexpensive method takes time, potentially several months. The tarpaulin will slowly kill the stump by preventing sunlight from reaching it. Cover the stump with a dark tarp or trash bag to block both sunlight and water.

• Secure the tarp to the ground to prevent it from being blown away by rain or animals.

Wait for 3 to 6 months. During this period, the stump will gradually die. Check occasionally to monitor progress. As it dies, the stump will rot and decompose. To accelerate the rotting process, sprinkle a spoonful of nitrogen fertilizer on the stump every few weeks.

• Alternatively, you can use stump killer solution, which is available at nurseries and garden centers.
• Another option is to pour Epsom salt into cracks that appear in the stump, or refer to Method 1, where you drill holes in the stump and pour salt to speed up decomposition.

Remove any shoots sprouting from the stump. As the stump nears death, it may produce shoots in an attempt to regenerate. While waiting for the stump to die, cut off any new growth emerging from it, or apply herbicide containing clopyr. If your goal is to plant a new tree in the same spot, cut the shoots but avoid using herbicide.

• The stump will take about 10 years to naturally decay after it dies. You can remove it faster with a stump grinder or other tools.

Drill holes into the stump. Burning is an effective method for removing a stump after it has died. First, drill several holes with a diameter of approximately 1.3 to 2.5 cm and a depth of at least 20 cm across the surface of the stump. Deeper holes will ensure that the stump burns all the way to the root tips, making it easier to remove.

Pour kerosene into the drilled holes. The kerosene will soak into the stump, helping it burn to ash. Make sure the kerosene soaks the stump thoroughly; otherwise, the fire may extinguish before reaching the roots. Most stumps need about 1 liter of kerosene to burn completely.

• Avoid using diesel as it burns too quickly, making it less effective and more harmful to the soil than kerosene.
• Check local regulations to ensure controlled burning is permitted.

Light a fire on the stump's surface. Sprinkle sawdust on the stump and ignite it. As the fire burns down, the stump will catch fire. Keep a close eye on the fire to ensure the stump ignites and add more firewood if necessary to maintain the flame.

• Another option is to place charcoal on the stump and set it on fire. The charcoal will burn slowly into the stump. This method reduces the risk of the fire spreading to nearby trees.
• Be sure to monitor the fire until the stump turns to ash. Never leave the stump burning unattended to avoid the fire getting out of control.
• Depending on the size of the stump, you may need to wait several hours for it to burn completely.

Dig out the ashes and cover the hole with soil or garden mulch. Use a shovel to remove the ashes, digging down to the roots, and fill the hole with fresh soil. You can dispose of the ashes in the trash or spread them in the garden as fertilizer - wood ashes are a valuable nutrient for plants!

Buy or rent a stump grinder. You can also use a physical method to remove a tree stump. This method requires a stump grinder, which you can rent from tool rental shops. A stump grinder has a rotating blade that drills into and grinds down the stump. This method is ideal for large and stubborn stumps. Renting the machine is the best option, but if you need to handle multiple stumps, purchasing one could be worthwhile.

• You will need to wear protective gear. Goggles and a mask will shield you from flying sawdust and bark while grinding.
• If operating heavy machinery isn't your preference, you can hire a landscaper to remove the stump for you.

Cut the stump close to the ground using a chainsaw. Use a chainsaw to trim the stump just a few centimeters above the ground. Remove any branches or roots growing too high above the soil to provide a stable surface for operating the stump grinder.

Grind the stump. Put on goggles and a mask, then position the grinder over the stump. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and slowly move the machine across the stump's surface to grind it into small pieces. Continue along the exposed roots until the entire stump is ground into bits.

• Be cautious not to place your feet in the grinder's path. Wear thick boots to protect yourself from injury.
• Ensure children and pets are kept at a safe distance before operating the machine.

Clear the wood chips and fill the hole. Dispose of the wood shavings (or use them as garden mulch) and fill the hole with soil.

• You may need an axe to chop through any remaining roots.