How to Remove a Tree Stump without a Grinder

Now that you have removed the dead or hazardous tree in your backyard, you think you can now sit, relax, and worry about nothing-- until you see the stump left in your yard. Tree stumps are a landscaping problem, and the first thing you want to do is to get rid of it as soon as you can. There are different methods to use for effective stump removal, but what would best suit your style and needs?

If you want a hassle-free approach, you can hire a professional tree care service to handle the stump, but this could cost you some cash. You can also do the job yourself and rent a stump grinder from a rental center, but it has disadvantages: the machine is heavy and dangerous for inexperienced users.

If the first method doesn't appeal to you, try the manual approach. This method requires removing the stump with your hand. Although it is cheap, it demands much labor, and you also need to figure out where to dump all the wood and debris the process produces. Many cities don't pick up stumps, so you better check before doing it yourself.

In this blog article, we will discuss the manual method of removing a stump, but we will highlight the chemical method, which is another easy and cost-effective approach. However, you need to manage your expectations because the chemical method does not give results in an instant.
 
Manual Method
Do you have a tree stump you want to eliminate? If you do and you choose to remove it using the manual method, you will need a shovel, a mattock, and an ax. Some homeowners have their preference when it comes to the tools they use probably because of their expertise using each one, so if you don't feel comfortable using the ones we mentioned earlier (or you don't have them), there are other tools you can use:

• Heavy steel bar, also called digging bar, or utility bar can be useful to cut through roots using the sharpened end. You can also use it to extract a stump after it has become less tight.
• A small bow saw is useful when you need to cut roots that can't be handled by a mattock.
• A large bow saw is used when you don't want to use an ax because this tool is much safer compared to the latter.
• Steel-toed boots and gloves, for obvious reasons.

Now that you have your essential tools prepared, do these following steps:

1. Use the mattock's broad end to unearth the soil around the stump.
2. Clear all dirt with a shovel and be ready to do it a lot, especially when you are removing a large stump.
3. Cut through the roots using the sharpened end of the mattock.
4. Unearth and cut under the root ball until you reach the taproot. In most cases, taproots will demand the use of a large bow saw or an ax. Rid the taproot of dirt before cutting.
5. Warning: Never attempt to use an ax if you aren't an expert at it. It can be deadly if utilized by an amateur, so use the alternative below.
6. With an ax, cut down the taproot and make sure to aim carefully to avoid hitting dirt that can lessen its effectiveness.
7. If you aren't skilled with axes, use a large bow saw to cut through the taproot. It is a time-consuming method but is much safer than using an ax.

What if you have stumps from large trees? In this case, manual removal is usually out of the picture. You may be tempted to wrap the stump with a chain and connect it to your four-wheel-drive truck, but if you don't know what you're doing, this can only damage your truck in the process.
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As you can see, the manual method entails tiring tasks like digging, chopping, and sawing, which means it is not the approach fit for everyone. With that being said, we will now introduce you to a more straightforward approach to eliminate a tree stump.
 
Chemical Method
The goal of this method is to speed up the rotting process of the stump. If you wait for nature to take its course, you will end up wrinkled and bored, that is why with the use of nitrogen and water, you will aid the natural rotting process of the stump. It is still a slow process but is much faster than nature.

1. Reduce the stump as much as you can using a chainsaw. Be careful not to strike the ground to avoid dulling your chain.
2. With your widest drill available, drill holes in different places into the stump. Make the holes deep and wide as much as possible.
3. Pour water into the holes followed by a fertilizer with high nitrogen content.
4. Wet the ground surrounding the stump thoroughly. Use a plastic tarp to cover the stump. This will lock in the moisture around the stump to help the rotting process.
5. Put organic mulch, such as tree bark over the tarp to help retain moisture. Water the mulch thoroughly because wet mulch is heavy and it can help hold the tarp in place.
6. One of the most important (and most difficult) things to do in this method is to wait and be patient. Yes, you have hastened nature's natural process, but the stump wouldn't be gone right away. If you can't wait, this method is not for you.
7. Remove the mulch and the tarp regularly and water the area around it again. Add more nitrogen source if you still have some and put the plastic tarp and mulch back. Water the mulch to make the tarp heavy and in place.

 
Supplies Needed

• Drill
• Plastic Tarp
• Garden Mulch
• High-nitrogen garden fertilizer
• Chainsaw (either gas-powered, electric, or battery-powered will do)

 
Another Chemical Method: Burn It Out with Stump-Out
If you can't wait long for the stump to rot away, there is another cheap method you can use. The product "Stump-Out" is a stump removal agent used to break down the stump's wood fiber and making them porous. The wood then absorbs kerosene quickly and will burn once ignited. If your city allows this method, you can try to use this easy method.

If your tree stump is too large or difficult to utilize one of these DIY methods, please call Allentown Tree Service LLC for a free tree stump grinding quote.  

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