Easy steps to Removing a Tree Stump

by | Jul 29, 2020 | landscaping hardscape, Yard Lawn Snow Maintenance

A Done with That® Project by Koper, America’s #1 Connected ContractorTM, Free Augmented Article©

Removing a tree stump from your yard can take anywhere from several minutes to several years depending on the technique you choose and the size and type of the tree. A professional can reduce even the largest stumps to wood chips quickly by using a power_ stump grinder. This alternative is expensive, however, and usually not cost effective if you have only one stump to remove.
To remove a stump yourself, you have a choice of three methods. The first and easiest method is to let it decompose naturally. Left on its own, the root system of a dead stump will eventually rot, making it easy to pull the stump out of the ground. Depending on the size of the stump, however, the decomposition process can take years.
The process will go more quickly if the stump is covered with soil and kept watered. A stump located in a shady spot will decompose more quickly than one in a sunny area. New trees or bushes that you plant near the stump need to be fertilized periodically — the decomposition process leaches valuable nutrients from the soil and may rob nearby plants of valuable nutrition.
The second choice is to speed up the decomposition process by applying commercial stump remover or high-nitrogen fertilizer. Commercial stump remover contains corrosive agents that will cause the wood to deteriorate. Fertilizer aids the bacteria that cause decomposition to occur naturally. Both additives will be more effective if poured into holes drilled in the stump. Always wear safety goggles when handling corrosive chemicals such as stump remover.
The third method, digging out the stump, is the most immediate but takes the most effort. You need to dig a trench around the stump and sever the root system. The size of the stump and its root system will determine how difficult the stump is to remove. The root system of an oak, for example, includes a long single root, or taproot, which is difficult to remove. Other trees, such as maples, have shallow, spreading roots and are somewhat easier take out.

Speeding Decomposition with Chemicals
  1. Use an electric drill with a 1-inch spade bit to drill several deep holes into the top and sides of the
    ‘ Wear safety goggles.
  2. Pack the holes in the stump with commercially available stump remover or fertilizer with a high nitrogen content.
  3. Fill the holes with water so that the chemical or bacterial decay process can begin. Wet the rest of the stump and make sure it stays damp.
Speeding Decomposition Organically
  1. Cut the stump to ground level or I below with a crosscut saw or chainsaw. Reducing the size lessens the time needed for decomposition.
  2. Cover the stump with 3 inches of soil mixed with high-nitrogen fertilizer and organic matter, such as leaf mold or manure.
  3. Spread a layer of leaves over the soil cover. Wet everything thoroughly. Continue to water the stump on a regular basis.
Excavating the Stump


Even when you allow a stump to decompose, with or without help, you will probably need to excavate the remains at some point. Excavation is much easier if the stump is dead. A live stump is indicated by sprouts that appear during the growing season. Chemical herbicides
can be added to the top of the stump from a freshly cut tree.
On an older stump, herbicide can be placed into notches cut into its side. Once the roots are exposed and cut, it is often helpful to split the stump itself into smaller pieces for easier removal. A tractor and winch can make removing large stumps easier.

  1. Use a shovel to dig a trench around the stump deep enough to expose the root system.
  2. Sever the roots close to the trunk. Never chop an unsupported root; the axe may bounce.
  3. Use a crosscut saw to cut the hard-to-reach roots directly underneath the stump.
  4. Loosen the stump by moving it back and forth with the handle of
    the shovel or a crowbar.
  5. Remove the stump. If necessary, chop it into smaller pieces with an axe and wedges.
  6. Cover the bottom of the trench with small stones or gravel. Fill with top soil and pack it down firmly.

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