How to Remove a Tree Stump

Now that you’ve got your trees removed or cut down in your yard, you’re left with the tree stumps. Most tree service companies offer stump removal as an additional or separate service, or even leave the stumps to you. If you are looking to remove a tree stump on your own, there are various ways to clear away your tree stump from your yard.

Using a Stump Grinder

One of the least labor-intensive ways to remove a tree stump is to rent a stump grinder. Stump grinders are specialized heavy machinery that will literally grind your stump down to mulch. Most rentable stump grinders are either self-propelled or walk-behind models. Your local department or hardware store should have stump grinders available to rent. Rates will vary depending on where you go, but most stores offer hourly rental.

While a stump grinder sounds like the easiest option, it can be costly, especially if you only have one stump to remove. Also keep in mind that this is heavy-duty machinery and can be very dangerous. If renting your own stump grinder seems expensive, tree removal companies will offer to come and grind down your stumps for you, and may be more cost effective if you only have one or two stumps to remove.

If you do rent your own stump grinder, you’ll still need to prepare your stump first. First, take a moment to clear any rocks from around your stump. Next, you’ll want to cut away as much of the remaining stump as possible using a chainsaw. Then you can begin using the rented grinder on your stump, removing about 4 inch sections at a time. Repeat this process until your stump is grinded below the ground. You’ll then be left with a lot of mulch that you’ll need to clean up.

Manually Removing a Stump

Manually getting rid of your tree stump will take more effort than renting a stump grinder or contacting a tree removal company to do it for you. First, you’ll want to remove more of the stump with a chainsaw, but still leave some for later that you’ll use for leverage. Next, you’ll want to use a shovel or pick to reveal the roots of the stump. Use an axe to cut the roots, and continue moving the stump to reveal all the roots and cut them all with your axe. Once most of, if not all, big, major roots have been cut, you can start using your shovel or mattock pick to leverage the stump out of its spot. If it won’t budge, keep searching for more roots, or wrap a chain around it and have a pickup truck or similar vehicle pull on it.

Remove a Tree Stump With Chemicals

One other way to remove a tree stump is to use a chemical solution. First, you’ll want to remove as much of the stump as you can with a chainsaw. Next, you will want to drill large holes into the stump using a power drill. The holes shouldn’t be more than 3 inches apart, and should go deep within the stump, at least 8 inches. After, drill some more holes into the side of the stump at 45 degree angles so that they will meet with the other holes you drilled in the top. Finally, you can pour in potassium nitrate or whatever chemical stump remover you have, into the holes that you drilled. After you fill the holes with your chemical, fill the rest of the holes with water.

This method requires you to wait a few weeks before you can take action again. After about 6 weeks, your stump should be spongy and soft from the chemicals breaking it down. Use an axe or shovel to break up this spongy stump and discard the pieces properly.

LTRC Tree Specialists

LTRC Tree Specialists offers stump grinding and other tree specialist services in the Alpharetta, GA area. Visit our website or call (404) 977-4682 today!