How to Remove Tree Stumps

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Whenever a tree is cut, stump removal becomes a difficult and expensive task. Uncut stumps can often cause dangerous diseases such as honey fungus. It can also affect the surrounding vegetation. Depending on the peculiar condition, here are some ways that can be employed to remove a tree stump.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1
Contact a tree surgery company. The company will send a professional operator with a stump grinder to the site. This mechanical method is very quick and produces minimal damage to the peripheral ground while removing the tree stumps.
Step2
Burning the stump way is also a good idea. Far-flung areas, where it is difficult to get stump grinders, burning the stump is recommended. As it is also less expensive.
Step3
Bore several holes of one-half inches diameter, diagonally in the top of the stump. Fill the deep holes with salt peter or a commercial stump-killing product. Put hot water into the holes. As the water gets dissipated, add more to keep the holes full until all the stump-killer is dissolved. Now, burn the stump. It will keep smoldering for some time leaving behind wood ash as residue.
Step4
Create a small trench around the stump. Dig in a direction away from the stump, tossing the soil outwards. This will expose the roots of the stump. Approaching the center of the stump, keep cutting the roots of the stump using a landscape bar. Eventually the stump will start shaking. Gradually all the roots will be cut and the stump can easily be pulled out from the ground.

Tips & Warnings

  • While hiring a professional stump grinding expert, don’t forget to negotiate the cost of removal of debris and backfilling the hole with clean soil.
  • Wear tough boots while digging the stump out, as the sharp tools may damage your feet.
  • If you are burning the stump, obtain a fire permit.

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on 4/28/2007 These recommendations can be very expensive. I'm a woman and I can remove the dang stump myself in no time at all and ZERO cost or chemicals. If you want to remove the stump yourself and you don't mind getting down and dirty, then all you need are a few simple tools (small to medium sized stumps): a shovel, a hand axe to cut the larger roots away from the stump and a lopper to cut the small roots. Dig a trench around the stump just wide and deep enough to cut the roots away from the stump. When all roots are cut, the stump is finally 'free', so simply pick it up out of the ground and throw it in the trash. It is really that simple! I've done this many times and it takes all of 10-minutes for most smaller stumps. For large stumps simply take the axe and chop the hell out of the stump (aka, 'grind' up the stump) -- no digging, no $$$ and no chemicals required!

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eHow Article:  How to Remove Tree Stumps

eHow Home & Garden Editor

eHow Home & Garden Editor

Category: Home & Garden

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