How to Kill a Palm Tree Stump

Cutting down a palm down to the stump will not kill the tree. The only way to kill the tree is to remove the stump entirely or kill it with some type of solution. There are several methods you can use. Some methods use poison and should be used cautiously to prevent killing animals or other plants. You may want the palm tree gone but you don't want to create a barren landscape.

Epsom salt

Tarp

Duct tape

Drill

Nitrogen fertilizer

Sodium hydroxide

Water

Bucket

Copper sulfate

Protective clothing

Goggles

Pour epsom salts on the tree stump and along the base. Cover it by securing a tarp around the stump. The salt along with the lack of light will kill the stump. Don't spread salt to other areas of the landscape; salt will kill the other plants and trees.

Drill several holes into the stump. Fill the holes with fertilizer. Fertilizer feeds fungus and will cause wood decomposition. Using the stump as the location of a compost pile is another way to feed the fungus and decompose the wood and roots.

Mix one part of sodium hydroxide with two parts of water in a bucket. Pour the solution over the stump. Repeat this four times over the course of a week to kill the palm stump. Sodium hydroxide is also called caustic soda.

Drill several holes into the stump. Fill the holes with copper sulfate. Cover with a tarp and let it work for one month. Copper sulfate is hazardous material and should be used only where children and animals will not accidentally get exposure. Water the area thoroughly after the stump is dead to dilute any remaining copper sulfate.

All items are found at local hardware stores. Consult a tree expert if you are concerned about hazardous materials or dangers to surrounding foliage.

Keep all hazardous materials out of the reach of children and animals. Wear protective clothing with goggles when handling hazardous materials.