Above-ground Stump removal ideas needed

[John Hines]

Better yet, drill holes in the stump, and pour in some stump remover (aka KNO3; potassium nitrate; saltpeter) which you can get at the hardware store.

[v]

Are you claiming to have done this?

-v.

[v]

Probably disqualifies that method, for this application.

He isn't covered by insurance for this???? (Unless it fell on the house I suppose.)

Sounds like disaster cleanup to me.

-v.

[Beecrofter]

The only way I can think of doing it on the cheap is to dig a bigger hole and roll them in. Let the termites take care of them.

[Robert Morein]

no (although memory makes me think I've seen this done before), but does that disqualify it from working? of course I'd basically rescind this advice as further info shows the stump to be three feet from the house.

You could make the best of this by (still) gouging out the center but leaving a rim of three or four inches and then filling the gouge (hopefully you've made it as deep as possible) with good soil and planting either vegetables, flowers or even something like a grape vine which could be trained to climb a trellis. This will either last a long time or rot away in a few seasons and then you can start over until it is gone or more easily managable.

[default]

Hose them clean, varnish them, and sell them as art.

[Lee]

This sounds like the best idea.. after all he has a root ball pulled out of the soil and if he cuts the trunk off close to the root ball, it won't be too much more digging. ---leo/lee

[Mark Anderson]

As has been discussed before, even talking with your insurance agent will require him to register your conversation in a database used to raise your premium. If you see your insurance agent walking down a street, divert your eyes, walk in a different direction, and don't let him see you.

[Tony]

In theory this sounds like a good idea, but it's not as simple as it might sound. The larger of the two stumps--even with all of the tree trunk cut off--is roughly a cube 6' on each side. The hole next to the stump is the same diameter but only about 1 foot deep. (I'm guessing that since the tree went down when the soil was saturated with water there was something akin to a small mudslide that filled in the hole.) Given that this soil is mostly clay, I don't see anyway short of using a backhoe digging a hole of that size.

I have come to the conclusion that no method of removal will be easy (or even close).

Some folks have mentioned using homeowner's insurance to cover the cost of removal. We're already contacted our insurance company. Since almost every home in this area has some damage, we figure whether we make a claim or not our rates are going to be affected. Unfortunately, insurance only covers trees that have fallen on the house, and so since these trees did not hit the house, that is not covered.

Tony

[v]

It doesn't mean it WILL either. It shows me you that have no less basis to think it will, then I have to think it won't be effective. I do a lot of chainsaw work for a homeowner (rural property owner who also has a number of business locations with trees). I have also burned a lot of "brush" which around here includes what city folk would call logs and stumps. A fresh stump doesn't burn very well. A single big chunk of wood doesn't burn very well.

Have you done much chainsaw work? Because to "gouge a big hole" is definitely NOT something easily done with a chainsaw, ESPECIALLY in a stump. If it was that easy, he'd just cut up the stump in little pieces and put them out with the trash, why bother with the hole. The OP seems well aware of the problems of chain sawing a stump.

Your other idea I don't regard as useful input either - that either it will or it won't work - so what - it won't help him if it won't. Basically you have no clue again and are just guessing.

sorry.

-v.

[v]

I think that's crap in a case like this. This is mainly a worry for people who have a history of numerous petty claims, like they are "trying to get their money's worth" out of their insurance. Naturally there will be some folks who claim its not their fault, they are not like that, its just circumstances, and maybe some are right, but they fit the pattern.

But THIS TIME there was a frickin' HURRICANE. Everybody's premiums in the whole area are likely to be effected by such conditions, while OTOH nobody in the area would not stand out merely for making an inquiry.

In the age of computers, that insurance companies track each covered premises, is fearful news only to superstitious homeowners. We operate four commerial properties and it is routine that RFPs for renewal quotes include a 3 year "loss run" (history) for each location. A zero loss report or inquiry is just that, no loss. Not a big deal. "Required to register" makes thing sound much more sinister than they are. There is a 'file' on each property - so what - no surprise there.

But as OP clarified, as the trees did not hit his house, they are 'merely' landscaping and not covered.

-v.

[Happybattles]

Bad idea. Even if the main colony of termites doesn't attack his house from where they are, the next swarm could put 10 colonies along his stem wall, three inside and five at his neighbor's house. The entire neighborhood will be panicked when they see termite alates (queens and kings) on their windowsills both inside (some will get lucky and fly in) and outside... and guess who they're going to blame it on.

Dig up the root balls. Get what you can of the roots. Chop them up with an axe (being sure not to hit any pvc pipe underground) and throw them away.

alt.consumers.pest-control

[Bill Seurer]

It's also REALLY dangerous because to do a hole you're going to be using the tip which you aren't supposed to do. Unless you enjoy chainsaws bouncing into your face that is.

[Bruce Musgrove]

[Robert Morein]

Doesn't burn very well is not the same as doesn't burn at all. Which is why I suggested starting with charcoal (I suppose you could even start with coal.) Granted it might burn slowly but I'm not sure there was a time constraint from the OP.

Not lately.

Okay so start with a little hole and take a little longer. Or start with lots of little holes.

I believe the issue was of ruining chain, blade, etc with dirt.

Yes the OP seems quite well aware of the problems chain sawing a stump, which is why I suggested he gouge a hole and burn it...I also suggested that this might not be such a good idea when I learned the stump was 3 feet away from his house.

And it will if it does.

And that's a bad thing?

[someone]

Nope. Get a CLUE.

"C.L.U.E. reports indicate losses by type. Consumers should be aware that contacting their company or their agent to discuss an actual loss might be considered reporting a claim, even if the company does not end up making a claim payment. This is because when a loss occurs, the policy requires the company to take specific actions within specified time frames. Consumers should be specific as to whether they are filing a claim or only making an inquiry."

"Many home insurers count inquiry calls -- calls in which homeowners simply ask informally whether their policy will cover certain damages and are told that it won't -- as unpaid losses."

[S. M. Henning]

Robert Morein responded to:

We burned a walnut tree stump. First we cut vertical slots down into the stump with a chain saw so that it had a lot of grooves going down to near the soil line. Then we started a fire with stove oil and it burned down into the ground and into the roots. It smoldered for a couple weeks before we put it out. We never guessed it would work so well. It was in the fall and the stump was fairly fresh.

Another alternative is to give the stump away. We have people around here that buy stumps to chop into hardwood mulch for nurserymen. So perhaps you can find someone who wants the stump.