Landscaping backyard and need to get rid of a dead tree stump. How?

Question

We can't afford to have it professionally removed. I'd just like to be able to "kill" it somehow and then cut it down even with the grass. Is this even possible?

Answer 1

The first step is your decision on which technique to use for tree stump removal. If you opt for manual tree stump removal, use a mattock. Its broad end allows you to dig around the stump; the other end functions as an axe for chopping your way through tree roots. Dig and chop your way under the rootball to the taproot. For large tree stump removal, taproots may be imposing enough to require cutting with a full-size axe.
The rest of this article focuses on another method for tree stump removal, which is essentially a way to hasten the natural processes that would eventually break down the stump anyhow – even if you didn’t lift a finger. But nature's tree stump removal technique is terribly slow. To hurry nature along, you’ll be supplying 2 ingredients in unnatural quantities to speed up the rotting process: nitrogen and water. Tree stump removal will still be slow this way, but it's an improvement over nature.
But first, using a chain saw, cut the stump down as close to the ground as you can, without allowing the chain saw's teeth to strike the ground (this would dull your chain).
Drill holes a few inches deep into the stump in numerous places, using your widest drill bit. The wider and deeper the holes, the better.
Fill these holes first with water, then with a fertilizer high in nitrogen. For instance, you could use cow manure. If you're using a commercial fertilizer instead, make sure the first of the 3 numbers of the fertilizer's NPK is the highest (for instance, a straight nitrogen fertilizer such as 45-0-0).
Soak the ground all around the stump. Cover the stump with a plastic tarp. The tarp will act as a barrier to help retain moisture in and around the stump. Moisture is a powerful ally to have on your side for tree stump removal.
Apply an organic mulch over the plastic tarp, and water it thoroughly. An organic mulch, such as tree bark or hay, will hold additional moisture, keeping the area even wetter. Wet mulch is also heavy, which will help weigh the tarp down, so that it doesn't blow away. For additional weight, roll some heavy stones onto the tarp.
The final thing you need to do for this tree stump removal project is -- to be patient! You're speeding up the natural process of rotting by employing the steps above, but this tree stump removal technique is still not for those who need the stump to disappear N-O-W.
You'll reduce the wait for completion of your tree stump removal project, however, by periodically removing the mulch and tarp for a moment and once again thoroughly soaking the stump and the ground around it. If you still have that nitrogen source at your disposal, add more of it. Then reapply the plastic tarp and mulch. Soak the mulch again, too, to keep the tarp wet and weighed down.
Tips:
There is a tree stump removal product called, "Stump Remover" that breaks down the wood fiber of stumps, leaving them porous. The porous wood then absorbs kerosene readily. After the porous wood is soaked with kerosene and ignited, it will burn away. The flame is a low, smoldering flame. If the use of kerosene and flame is acceptable to you, this is another cheap and easy option for tree stump removal.

HAve Fun! This is a bear of a job

Answer 2

Dead Tree Stump

Answer 3

Is this stump sending up sprouts? Yes, you need to kill those and there are chemicals for that on the market often sold as brush killers.

If the stump were down closer to the ground it would make rotting easier. If it sticks up a bit, the wood dries to fast for rotting, then digging it out is best. Not an easy job!!

For rotting it out, I thought the buttermilk was interesting! What I did was chip out the interior, pack it full for manure or sometimes just plain high nitrogen fertilizer and water daily. The nitrogen and water start the decomposition process. After a year or so I started whacking at it with an ax or shovel, knocking off sections. I'd also use the shovel to work on the roots. When the silly thing started wiggling on me, then I finished digging it out. Took 4 years total.

If Iived in the country I probably would have drilled holes in it, filled with kerosene and burned the sucker down. Can't do that anywhere near civilization.

Answer 4

I have had a stump in my back yard disintegrating for about 4 years. I drilled holes in it and poured buttermilk in the holes. Buttermilk will cause the microbes to break down the wood.Mine was a very large old magnolia stump. It will continue to decompose and get soft. I break away pieces as I can and it is just about gone now. Stump removal can be a bit costly. If you do not want to spend money on removing it, put a plant on it after you bore holes into it and use buttermilk or you can purchase a stump removal compound from a home center.

Answer 5

Really depends on time/energy/money on how you want to go. Also, how big the stump is will matter. I had one about 22-24" at the base and it took probably 15-20 hours at least for me to get it out and involved a digging bar, shovel, mattock (like "pick-ax" thing) and maul.

Stump removal quote I had from an arborist was $192 and renting my own stump grinder could have been done for around $150 but I had to transport it.

I could have ground it lower with a grinder than what I did. It was quite a lot of work.

Now a few 6 to 8 inch stumps in my front yard came out easily with a mattock in only about an hour. Your popular home improvement stores have mattocks -- often in two sizes.

Answer 6

Hire a tree trimming contractor to grind it for you. Or, if you are good with power tools, most tool rental companies rent the same kind of stump grinders that the pro's use, but they are pretty dangerous. Or.. you can do it your self by drilling a lot of holes in the stump with an auger drill bit and then filling them with a corrosive acid that you can get at most tree nurseries, the stump will rot in a relatively short period of time and it will then chip out easily with a Maddox, or an AXE.

Answer 7

OK u don't make sense u have a dead tree stump that you want to kill not knowing how big it is I used it to make a table or a place for birds an squirrels to eat If you don't want that just cut it to ground level so your mower will pass over it
also makes a great spot for potted plants I have seen a stump drilled with large holes add dirt an plant flowers don't forget to drill the sides at a 45% or more angle
some tool rental places rent stump grinders
ok i gave you lots of hints now its your turn to think outside the box

Answer 8

i just want to comment on how diverse a bunch of answers you got here! I also did the flowers on top of it thing as it was a huge stump from a Doug Fir (had to comedown too close to house for windstorm hazards) But a different boxwood bush stump had to come out professionally in front yard-they put chains around it and towed it out! I worry about the environmental consequences of the "bleach method" and extra care needed for the kerosene burn method Be very careful of any shredding or other machinery if you are renting them and have no experienceBest of luck

Answer 9

Really, the best thing to do is save the money and have someone remove. We have one in our new front yard that we haven't gotten rid of yet, and while it's cut even with the grass, last weekend, it destroyed our new push mower. The blade got caught on a tiny piece and totally racked the engine shaft..so spend the money, rent the grinder and get rid of it.

Answer 10

If you want to do things a little different, grow gourmet mushrooms. You can get the kits from Mushroompeople or Fungi Perfecti. I like the "Oyster Mushroom", it can be used like Portabellas and decomposes the stump the fastest. After spring and fall harvests for 3-4 yrs. your stump is nothing but compost, roots and all. RScott