How often do you come across tree stumps in your yard or driveway? If you live in a rural area, chances are they’re quite common. In urban areas, however, they’re less likely to appear.
Removing a dead stump from your yard can be both time-consuming and difficult, but the good news is that it can easily be done with the right tools. Having a stubborn stump in your yard can negatively affect the overall look of a lawn and garden, as well as be dangerous if left alone. If you’re looking to remove an unsightly stump from your property, there are several ways you could go about doing this.
Here are some of the stump removal methods that you can use:
- Remove Tree Stump Manually
- Remove Entire Stump With Chemicals
- Burn the Stump Completely
- Use a Tree Stump Grinder
- Use a MAGNATRAC®
But before you get started, proceed with care…
Remember to Practice Safety Precautions!
Tree stump removal could be a potentially dangerous job for homeowners, so it’s important to take proper safety precautions before attempting to remove a tree stump. Whether you’re using manual or mechanical means, there are several steps you should take to ensure your safety as well as the safety of those around you.
1. Make sure that the area where the tree is being removed has been cleared of debris and overhead hazards such as power lines.
2. Wear protective gear such as gloves, ear plugs, safety glasses/goggles, and steel-toed boots. If using mechanical equipment such as an excavator or skid steer loader, always practice caution when operating these machines near other people or property.
3. Read the manufacturer’s guidelines before operating any motorized equipment.
4. Never attempt to do manual labor without assistance from another person in case something goes wrong while you’re working.
Method 1: Remove Tree Stump Manually
Removing a tree stump can be a difficult and arduous task, but it is possible to do so manually. If you don’t have access to power tools or are on a tight budget, there are ways to remove the stump yourself. By following these steps, you can clear your yard of that pesky stump without breaking the bank.
1. Clear the area
The first step is to remove any debris that may have been collected around the location of the stump. This includes leaves, dirt, and other material that has accumulated over time.
2. Digging Around the Stump
Once you’ve cleared the location, you can start digging around the base of the stump. This will help loosen up the soil so that you can access the tree roots more easily. Be sure not to dig too close to the trunk or root network as this could damage them permanently. Use a shovel or pickaxe for this job, as they are designed for digging through the soil with ease. Once you’ve created an opening around the base of your stump, you should find yourself with better access to its root structure.
3. Cutting the Stump Out
Once all of the major roots have been exposed, you can begin cutting them away from the main trunk of the tree until only the base remains. You can use an axe or saw to cut away at larger roots until it becomes loose enough that you can pull them out by hand.
4. Removing the Debris
Next, use a shovel or mechanical grinder to finish up any remaining roots before finally hauling them away for disposal. With these steps, your property will be free from an unsightly tree stump for good!
5. Filling in the Leftover Hole
Filling in the hole left behind by removing a tree stump can help restore your landscape to its original condition, making it look neat and tidy once again.
The first step to filling in the hole created by removing a tree stump is to remove all dirt, rocks, roots, and other debris that may have been left behind when you dug up the root network. Once this has been done, you should spread out some topsoil into the empty space in order to fill in any depressions or uneven areas. Spread out mulch on top of this layer of soil for added protection against weeds and moisture loss.
Method 2: Remove Entire Stump With Chemicals
Using stump removal chemicals requires a lot of time and effort, but if done correctly, it may be effective. As a matter of fact, if you have a lot of stumps that need to be removed, chemical stump removers are one of the most efficient and cost-effective methods available. Here’s how to choose and use chemicals to remove a tree stump from your yard or landscape:
Start by selecting an appropriate chemical compound for the size and type of stump you’re trying to remove. Potassium nitrate is often used for stumps up to 2 feet in diameter, while larger stumps may require stronger compounds such as Tordon RTU or Brush Killer. Don’t forget to drill holes about 5 to 6 inches deep to help in the application of chemicals. Make sure you read all safety instructions before using any chemical product and wear protective gear when applying it.
Here are some chemical stump removers that you can buy:
- Bonide 272 1 Lb Granules Stump-Out
- Spectracide HG-66420 Stump Remover
- Fertilome (11485) Brush Killer Stump Killer
Method 3: Burn the Stump Completely
Burning of stumps isn’t as hard as it seems and can be done with the proper safety precautions.
The first step in burning a tree stump is to create an effective firebreak around the area so that any sparks don’t ignite nearby vegetation or combustibles. Make sure as well that you have a means of putting out the fire should it get out of control.
After making sure that the area’s safe, use kerosene or diesel fuel to soak the stumps and wood chips or scrap wood in order to increase their combustibility. It may also help to break up large chunks of wood before igniting them with an open flame lighter or torch. Once everything has been set up, light the fire and keep an eye on it until it burns down completely. Finally, use dirt or gravel to fill in the area where the tree used to be located.
Method 4: Use a Tree Stump Grinder
A tree stump grinder is a tool designed for quickly and efficiently removing tree stumps from the ground. It uses rotating blades or discs to chip away at the wood until it can be easily removed. Here’s how to use one safely and effectively:
Start by clearing away any debris around the tree stump so you have adequate space for working with the grinder. Make sure you are wearing protective gear such as goggles, gloves, and shoes that cover your feet before starting up the grinder. Once it’s running, slowly move it in a circular motion over the top of the stump while applying gentle pressure until it’s been reduced down to ground level.
Method 5: Use a MAGNATRAC®
One of our clients, Ron, digging inches below ground and extracting a massive walnut tree stump in his yard using a MAGNATRAC® MH4900. Click here to read his story!
One of the many ways to make the job easier and faster is with the help of a MAGNATRAC®. It’s a great all around machine for accomplishing tough homeowner or homesteader tasks on your property. We even offer a MAGNATRAC for commericial jobs as well.
If you’re a homeowner, wanting to do remove a stump, we advise to do it with the MAGNATRAC® RS1000, equipped with a backhoe on the back of it. The backhoe is able to dig 6-1/2″ feet down and is able to targetly dig around the stump, using a 12″ bucket to remove the soil around the stump, and cut the roots.
If you’re a homesteader, or have some larger tree stumps to dig out, then we advise to look at our MAGNATRAC® MH4900 model. It has a larger and stronger backhoe available for it, that’s able to dig 8ft down. This backhoe is built tough for those serious tree stumps, or for tough soil conditions that require more excavation power.
Finally, if you’re a contractor, or someone that is looking to generate side income, the MAGNATRAC® MH8500 has the capabilties to dig out the stump with a rear mounted 8ft backhoe, the front mounted loader bucket, or is able to use a 3rd party universal skid steer stump grinder, if properly equipped.
The Bottom Line
Removing an annoying stump from your backyard can be very challenging, but luckily, there are different stump removal solutions available to help you out. Whether you want to get your hands dirty and tackle the task yourself or look into professional stump removal specialist to do it for you, having the right tools will ensure a successful tree stump removal. With the help of a MAGNATRAC®, you can easily and safely remove that tree stump without breaking a sweat!
If you want to learn more about the MAGNATRAC®, get your FREE digital information kit below, or call us today at 1-877-828-8323 to request a hard copy today.
