After you have cut down an unusable tree in your garden yourself, you may also want to remove the tree stump. However, this can often be a real challenge, especially if you want to complete the task without professional machines. You can hire a company to use a mechanical grinder to turn the stump into sawdust, but this can be expensive. Another option is to rent a suitable tool, but using it safely is also not an easy task. However, there are several methods you can use to complete this gardening job without high costs or large equipment. Here are some of the most common ones that you can try for yourself.
When should you remove a tree stump?
A tree stump can be removed at any time after the tree has been felled, but the manual process is sometimes easier if the stump has aged and dried out somewhat. If you have the option to leave the stump in place for a full year or even two years, it can be donedried woodpossibly easier to cut out than when working on a new, still green stump. However, chemical removal should begin immediately after you have cut down the tree. Additionally, a small to medium-sized stump can be eliminated with good old-fashioned muscle work. However, larger tree stumps may require so much work that it is not practical unless you can pull them out of the ground with a chain. For larger stumps, use the chemical method described below instead.
Decide on the optimal option
A useful tool for manual removal is a pickaxe, which has a wide end for digging and a sharpened end for cutting. However, everyone has favorite tools, and the more different digging and cutting tools you have on hand, the better. For larger tree stumps, you may want to bring in a helper or two to speed up the job. For those who are not up to the physical exertion or whose stump is too large to remove by hand, there is an easier method, but one that requires more patience. All wood will eventually rot. Additionally, it is possible to speed up this process by keeping the stump moist and adding nitrogen in the form of a high nitrogen fertilizer. However, this is not an instant method. This can take months or even a year for a tree stump to completely disappear.
There are also specially developed products in powder form that are designed to break down the wood fibers of stumps and make them porous. The porous wood then absorbs kerosene well. So after you soak the porous wood with kerosene and light it on fire, the tree stump begins to burn. The fire soon becomes a low, smoldering flame. If using kerosene and flame is acceptable to you, this would be another inexpensive and easy way to remove a tree stump. However, disposing of large tree stumps can be difficult. Therefore, it is best to find out how and where to dispose of large garden waste. There is also an option to put the tree stump in placecompost in an environmentally friendly way.
Use manual force and remove the stump
If you don't want to use chemicals or wait too long to get rid of the stump, it is possible to remove it manually. Again, it's not expensive to do it this way if you already have the tools. It may take approximately three to 12 hours to complete the project. Here are some steps that can be followed.
- First, dig around the stump with the wide end of a pickaxe.
- Once you have loosened the soil in this way, shovel it out of the way.
- First, prepare to clear away a lot of soil. The larger the stump, the more earth you move. This is necessary to gain access to all root shoots.
- If you're digging up a tree stump by hand, a hose or pressure washer can be helpful to wash away debris and expose roots as you dig down.
- Then split the stump with an ax, also using a riving knife, and separate any visible roots.
- Use the other end of the hoe to hack through the tree roots. You can also use a hacksaw to cut through the roots.
- Dig and chop your way under the root ball to the taproot. For all but the smallest trees, taproots are impressive enough to be cut with an ax or large bow saw.
- Afterwards, clean the taproot of excess dirt with a damp rag before cutting.
- Next, cut through the taproot with the ax or a bow saw. However, be sure to keep the area clear of people, pets, and objects before you begin cutting.
- Carefully aim the ax so that it doesn't hit any dirt so you don't dull the blade.
- Always wear steel-toed boots when wielding an axe.
- Finally, pull the stump out of the hole. This may require the use of ropes or chains, as well as assistance from helpers or a vehicle.
Use chemical or Epsom salt removal method
Removing a tree stump with chemicals is the least labor-intensive way to get rid of it. However, this process takes time, especially if the stump is large. In some cases, it may take up to a year to remove the stump because you are literally leaving it to rot. The good news is that this method is inexpensive if you already have a chainsaw and drill. For this you will also need potassium nitrate, plastic tarpaulin, garden mulch and possibly an axe.
- First, use the chainsaw to remove as much of the stump that is above the ground as possible. When doing this, make sure you wear protective gear such as safety glasses and boots.
- Next, it's time to drill holes through what's left of the stump. Space the holes close together and use the largest drill bit you can. Go as deep and wide as possible with these holes.
- First fill the holes with water and then add the potassium nitrate. You can also use another type of high nitrogen fertilizer or even stump removal granules designed for this process.
- Soak the ground around the stump with water to keep it nice and moist, then cover the area with a plastic sheet. The tarp helps retain moisture and speeds up the rotting process.
- Cover the tarp with mulch, preferably an organic variety, and water again to maintain moisture and soak the area.
- Check the progress regularly and add more water and nitrogen to your stump.
- After four to six weeks, your stump should become spongy. If this is the case, you can use an ax to speed up the process and remove parts of the tree stump. When enough of it comes off, you can cover the rest with soil and create a flower bed or even plant grass seeds.
- If you want to avoid harsh chemicals, heating oil, or anything else that isn't natural, you can try the same method with Epsom salts. To do this, simply follow the steps above, but with Epsom salt instead of potassium nitrate.
Light the fire and remove the tree stump
Burning the tree stump may seem daunting, but as long as you follow some safety measures, it would be an effective method by which you can remove a tree stump. To do this, carefully follow the instructions below.
- First, drill holes and apply a suitable powder chemical.
Then fill the holes with water and wait four to six weeks for the chemical to take effect. - The more porous the stump, the more kerosene is absorbed and the longer it burns.
- Start by pouring kerosene slowly over the stump, being careful not to allow the liquid to run off and pool on the bottom. Allow time for the kerosene to absorb. Never use gasoline or motor oil to burn a tree stump. Gasoline is dangerous and explosive, while engine oil produces toxic smoke when burned.
- Now light the tree stump and watch it from a safe distance while it burns.
- Remember that the stump may continue to smolder underground for some time. Therefore, erect barricades to prevent people or animals from accidentally walking over the embers.
Try eco-friendly option with mycelium for composting tree stump
Mycelium for effective stump removal and composting is an organic substance that is safe for the environment: people, animals and trees. It consists of the saphrophytic spawn of the species Peniophora gigantea, which only parasitizes on dead wood. The product is easy to use and very effective. As long as the stump you want to get rid of is not overdried, the beneficial microorganism will decompose it within six months. However, this process can take up to 3 years for hardwood or in unfavorable weather conditions. In addition, you can use mycelium to remove tree stumps of all types.
- Cut the stump with a saw or axe.
- Mix the substrate with 5 liters of water and pour it evenly over the tree stump.
- Cover it with mulch to keep it moist and warm and wait for the effect.
- Thanks to the mycelium for effective removal and composting of tree stumps, you will remove fallen tree remains from your garden almost effortlessly, in an environmentally friendly and plant-friendly way.
- Mycelium grows naturally in the wild, with one pack allowing you to remove five stumps up to 30cm in diameter.
In addition, you can make a compost heap and the stump. Simply fill it with shredded leaves and spent coffee grounds from your local coffee shop and you'll achieve two goals. First, over a period of years you will be coaxing that stump into becoming compost as well. Secondly, you can finally stop tripping over it, which can be fun in a way, but not if it causes you to hurt yourself. If you also want to add kitchen scraps to the mix, be sure to use a sealing lid unless you want to help feed your local mouse or rat population.
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