Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Ways to Get Rid of Stumps & Roots
Ways to Get Rid of Stumps & Roots. Tree stumps can be eyesores and tripping hazards and interfere with your landscaping; the roots allow the stump to remain intact. You can remove the tree stumps and roots that were left behind after a tree was cut down in a variety of ways. Some stumps can be dug out, while others require chemical aids or the use...
Tree stumps can be eyesores and tripping hazards and interfere with your landscaping; the roots allow the stump to remain intact. You can remove the tree stumps and roots that were left behind after a tree was cut down in a variety of ways. Some stumps can be dug out, while others require chemical aids or the use of special machinery. The best method to remove your stumps depends on the amount and size.
Things You'll Need
Axe
Shovel
Grub hoe with axe blade
Drill
Stump killer chemical
Matches
Kerosene or fuel oil
Chicken wire
Dig out smaller or more shallow stumps by hand. Expose all of the roots of the stump and cut through each root; use the axe for thicker roots. Use a grub hoe with an axe blade to pull all of the roots out of the ground.
Cut down larger stumps as much as possible with your axe. Drill a series of holes -- 1 inch wide and 12 inches deep -- around the perimeter of the top of the stump. Drill more holes around the stump, about three inches from the rim, at a 45-degree angle; line the angled holes with the holes on the top of the stump to connect.
Get a tree stump killer chemical from a local hardware or garden store. Look for products containing powdered potassium nitrate. Follow the directions on the product carefully when pouring over the stump. Wait for the stump to become soft and spongy; the process typically takes four to six weeks. Break the stump down with an axe. Remove all dead wood and roots.
Pour kerosene or fuel oil into the stump holes after using a chemical softener to avoid using an axe; allow a few weeks for the liquid to be absorbed by the wood before dropping a match into a hole to slowly burn the stump. Clear all leaves from the area surrounding the stump. Enclose the burning stump with chicken wire or another enclosure to keep family members and pets away. Watch the stump closely as it smolders; the process can take days to finish.
Rent a stump grinder from your local garden or hardware store if you have a lot of stumps and roots. A stump grinder is a large, bladed machine designed to grind down the stump and roots into small pieces. Not all machines operate the same; ask the store staff for instructions on how to operate the machine. The rental cost varies by area and machine size, but typically starts around $100 per day.
Tips & Warnings
Check local laws and zoning regulations before burning anything in your yard.
Hire a professional if you experience difficulty removing any stumps.
Do not use gasoline to burn the stump.
