One moment, you’re enjoying the shade of your big oak tree, and the next, disaster strikes
whether it’s a storm of hurricane proportions, ice, and snow, or simply age, most of us can relate to the horrible popping sound a tree makes as it falls.
Unfortunately for us, not only have we lost a tree, but clean-up can be brutal. After taking care of the fallen branches and debris, you’re left with the tree stump.
You can always leave the tree stump and let nature slowly decompose it. Only nature does take its time. For soft wooded trees such as White Pine or Douglas Fir, you may be waiting for more than a decade or two for the trunk to decompose. If you lose a hardwood tree such as an oak tree, it takes five decades or 50 years for the magic to happen. It takes longer for an oak tree stump to decompose than for it to grow from a seed to maturity – 30 to 40 years.
Why get rid of tree stumps?
There are many reasons why you should get rid of tree stumps.
- Removing tree stumps will allow room for healthy trees and plants to grow in their place
- If left, tree stumps and roots can grow fungi which are dangerous to kids and pets.
- They are an eyesore
- Hard to mow and edge around
- Dangerous for outdoor activities
- Take up room for planting
- They give the yard an “unkept” appearance which may reduce its property value
How to rot tree stumps fast
Before we begin, it’s worth saying that many of the following ways are possibilities at best. No matter how we try, rotting wood is not always quick, and many believe it doesn’t work. So if you’re looking for a sure way, you may wish to read further down. If you’re not in a hurry and want to give it a try, here are some ways that you can speed up the rotting of that unsightly tree stump.
- Use a fertilizer high in nitrate
- Mulch and bag
- Water
- Epson Salt or Rock Salt
When trying to speed up the stump’s rotting process, you want to create an environment that inhibits the tree’s survival.
Use a fertilizer that is high in nitrate
Have you seen stumps filled with disgusting fungi? Mushrooms grow rampant, covering the stump and causing danger to pets and children. By placing a fertilizer high in nitrate on the stump, not only will the fungi feed on it, but it will keep the stump moist. Doing this gives the perfect conditions to speed up the stump’s rotting process.
What you will need when using a fertilizer high in nitrate to rot a tree stump
- Drill
- Saw
- A fertilizer high in nitrate
First, saw your stump as close to the ground as possible. Then use a drill bit ⅜ in diameter. Drill holes approximately 2 inches apart and 8 to 10 inches deep. Place a fertilizer high in nitrates on wood. Leave. That’s it. It’s simple enough, and it will kill any fungus but may be waiting years for any results.
Steps when using a fertilizer high in nitrate to rot a tree stump
- Saw stump close to the ground
- Drill holes
- Lay fertilizer high in nitrate on top
Mulch and Bag to rot a tree stump
The mulch and bag theory is a variation of using a fertilizer high in nitrate.
What you will need when using mulch and a bag to rot a tree stump
- Drill
- Saw
- A fertilizer high in nitrate
- Heavy black bag or tarp
- Heavy bricks or an anchor
Cut your stump close to the ground. Use a drill bit ⅜ of an in diameter. Drill your holes 2 inches apart and at least 8 inches deep. Place a fertilizer high in nitrates on wood. Cover the stump with a tarp and secure the tarp with heavy bricks or some type of anchor. By placing the bag over the fertilizer, it ensures that the fertilizer will stay in place and keep the stump moist. In theory, this method should decrease the time it takes for the stump to rot.
Steps to take when using mulch and a bag to rot a tree stump
- Saw stump close to the ground
- Drill holes
- Lay fertilizer on top
- Place a heavy black bag or tarp on top
- Anchor bag
Use water to rot a tree stump
Using water to rot a tree stump may sound excessively easy, but it makes quite some sense. If you think about rotted wood, it’s always due to wet conditions, so why wouldn’t it speed up rotting a stump?
What you need when using water to rot a tree stump
- Drill
- saw
- Water
With this method, all you need to do is saw the stump close to the ground. Then drill the holes using your ⅜ drill bit and spacing them 2 inches apart. Pour water in the holes to keep the wood damp, giving the wood the perfect conditions to rot.
Steps to take when using water to rot a tree stump
- Saw stump close to the ground
- Drill holes
- Fill holes with water
Epson Salt or rock salt to rot tree stumps
We all love Epson Salt – it refreshes tired and sore muscles and helps us relax after a hard day. Believe it or not, that same potion can dry out an unsightly tree stump by pulling the moisture from it, leaving a dried, rotted stump easily removed.
What you need when using Epson Salt or rock salt to rot a tree stump
- Epson Salt or rock salt
- Drill
- saw
- Water
- Plastic bag or tarp
- Bricks or heavy objects for anchor
To use this method, first saw the stump close to the ground. Then use your ⅜ drill bit to drill holes about two inches apart and fill the holes with Epson Salt. Once the holes are filled with Epson Salt, put enough water to moisten them, but do not soak the salt. Finish by covering the stump with a plastic bag or tarp and anchor the tarp with a heavy object.
You will need to repeat the process several times for results which could take several months to see.
Steps to take when using Epson or rock salt to rot a tree stump
- Saw stump close to the ground
- Drill holes
- Fill holes with Epson Salt
- Add enough water to Epson Salt to moisten
- Cover with a plastic bag or tarp
How to remove a tree stump fast – And Effective
If you’re in need of removing the tree stumps fast, there are many tried and true ways where you don’t have to wait months or years for results. With these methods, you are guaranteed success.
- Dig it out by hand
- Use a winch
- Use a stump grinder to remove the tree stump
- Cover it up – the lazy method
- Burn it out
What you will need to dig out a tree stump
- Pickaxe or chainsaw if you have one
- Safety glasses
- Large shovel
- Gloves
- Tree pruners
Once you have your tools in place, you should first make sure you have a clean space to work around the stump. The larger the stump, the more room you will need. Clear all debris – grass, mulch, rocks, etc.
Once the area is clean, dig a trench large enough to expose all roots attached to the tree. At this point, you should have a clean area and be able to see the attached roots.
Next, take your shovel or axe and chop off any roots still attached to the tree. You can use your pruner to cut the roots for any smaller roots. Once complete, use your shovel as a lever to loosen the stump from the ground. Use your pruners or axe to cut the roots, now visible as it loosens.
Repeat the process until the stump can be removed. Upon completion, you can grab a lemonade. Your cardio is done for the day. This method, while effective and quick, is meant for smaller trees.
Steps on how to dig out a tree stump for fast and effective removal
- Clean your space
- Make a trench
- Chop roots from the tree
- Use a shovel as a lever to begin loosening the stump from the ground
- Chop off newly exposed roots
- Continue using the lever to loosen and lift until the stump pops out.
Use a winch for tree stump removal
Most of us don’t have enough upper body strength to remove a tree stump with a shovel and axe. Thankfully, there are tools to help – namely, a winch.
What you will need when using a winch for removing a tree stump
- Heavy gloves
- Safety glasses
- Shovel
- Winch
- Anchor
Using a winch takes the cardio out of tree stub removal. It is an effective and fast way of removal. In order to remove a tree stump with a winch, you should first and foremost use heavy gloves, to protect you while working on heavy cable, safety glasses to shield you from any debris that may fly up, and boots.
Next, you should clean your space as you would if you were pulling it out by hand and make a trench around the tree exposing the tree’s roots. Once this is done, you can attach the cable around the tree and hook the cable to the winch.
Once the winch is in place, you need an anchor. If using another tree as an anchor, place a piece of wood, tree trunk protector, or anything that will buffer the removal – remember you don’t want to damage a healthy tree. If you don’t have another tree to use as an anchor, you can use a truck, or boulder, or any large, strong stabilizing anchor.
There are many types of winches, both manual crank and electric, so it’s important to read the owner’s manual carefully before beginning your stump removal.
Once your winch is anchored, you can pull it from the ground without exerting too much energy.
Steps for using a winch for removing a tree stump
- Wear safety gear
- Clean your space
- Make a trench around the tree
- Chop roots from the tree
- Use wire cable around the tree
- Hook cable to winch
- Stabilize winch
- Pull tree stub out
Use a stump grinder to remove a tree stump
Using a stump grinder is a sure way to remove your unwanted stumps. While most of us don’t have stump grinders lying around, there are a few options. You can rent one from your local Home Depot or call a tree service that will take care of it.
What you’ll need when using a stump grinder to remove a tree stump
- Protective eyeglasses
- Boots
- Earplugs
- Shovel
- Gloves
- Stump grinder
Once you have your protective gear on, make sure your grinder is full of gas – you don’t want to be refueling once it is hot. Now, you’re ready to begin. The first few steps are the same as in any stump removal. You must prep the area, clearing away debris, such as rocks, twigs, trash, etc. Since you will be using a powerful tool, this step is very important. You don’t want debris flying up once the machine is running.
Next, you want to raise your grinder a few inches above the stump. Using sweeping motions, begin grinding it slowly. Depending upon the size of the stump, the entire process could take up to a few hours.
Once the stump is gone, fill the hole with ground wood, topsoil, or mulch.
Steps to remove a tree stump using a stump grinder
- Place protective gear
- Ensure the stump grinder is full of gas
- Raise the stump grinder a few inches above the stump
- Use sweeping motions to grind the stump
- Fill hole
Cost is the major drawback of using a stump grinder. If you rent a machine, it will cost hundreds per day of rental charges, with costs rising into the thousands when renting by the month (costs vary per city). Even with large rental fees depending upon how many stumps you need to remove, it may be the most economical opinion.
Tree services may allow you to sit back with that sweet tea, but you will pay for it. Their price will consider how large each tree is and how hard the wood is – oaks being more than pines. They will also have a minimum price, usually around $100.00.
How to cover up a tree stump
We all love the lazy stump removal method. It’s effective, cheap, and not too much exercise is involved.
What you’ll need to cover your stump
- Safety Glasses
- Gloves
- Saw
- Axe (if you wish to pull the roots)
- Shovel
Once you have your safety gear on, you must, once again, clean around the tree stub, so you don’t have debris flying up and injuring you. Next, dig a trench large enough for you to work around and about four inches deep. Use your saw and cut the stump as close to the ground as possible.
Cover the hole with some mulch, dirt, and grass. Your problem is fixed (unless you wish to plant another tree in the same spot).
Steps for covering the stump
- Put on your safety gloves and glasses
- Dig a trench around the stump around four inches deep
- Saw the stump getting as low as you can
- Cover the hole
How to burn out a tree stump
If you decide to burn out your tree stump, you must first make sure that your area and the weather conditions permit this option. In not checking, you can risk causing a fire in your area, potentially damaging property. If all is clear, proceed.
What you’ll need to burn out a tree stump
- Kerosene
- Shovel
- Drill
- Metal barrel
After you’ve checked with your local authorities and laws regarding fires, cut your stump down as far as possible. Then drill holes about 2 inches apart and 10 inches deep in your stump. If you can only go 8 inches, you’ll be fine. Next, clear your area of all debris. Since you will ignite a fire, you must ensure there are no pine needles, leaves, or anything where a fire can start.
Once you’re clear, soak the holes with kerosene. Using kerosene instead of gas is important because it is less volatile. Place a large metal barrel around the area. Watch carefully as the stump disappears!
Quick steps to burn out a tree stump
- Clean the area
- Drill holes in the tree stump
- Saturate stump with Kerosene
- Place a metal barrel around the stump
- Light tree stump
- Wait and watch
Conclusion
There are numerous ways to take care of an unwanted tree stump. You can try and rot the stump out with rock salt or Epson or use a high-nitrogen fertilizer, or you can burn it out (weather permitting). If you’ve had any success with these – Yea you! If not, or you’re just tired of waiting for the wood to rot, you may want to try one of the quick, reliable, but sometimes expensive tree stump removal methods.