What are the ways to remove a stump?

I have 3 tree stumps. One is about a 1 foot in length and level with the ground.

The other 2 stumps fell from trees that actually lifted the surroundiing grass with it, so that the stumps are on an angle with the grass surrounding them pulled up.

I want to remove all 3 stumps. I gather I can rent a "stump grinder from the local outlet." However, is there some kind of "chemical treatment" that is cheap to get rid ot these. I have heard that stump grinders are dangerous. I can get someone to do it, but as I am feeling "handy", I would like to save some money and remove them myself.

BTW, all of the actual trees were removed by myself with much time and energy with the aid of a chain saw and many sore muscles.

Thanks in advance,

Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC

Contributing writer for FUTURES Magazine Author of RECRUITSOURCE PEOPLESOFT EXAM and RECRUITSOURCE SAP/R3 EXAM Author of POWER TIPS FOR THE APPLE NEWTON and INTRODUCTION TO CSP

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Reply to
Lawrence M. Seldin, CMC, CPC
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In a similar situation I dug as much as I could around the stumps. Fastened a chain to the stump and my Pickup truck and pulled them out with no problem. Depends on what kind of tree and how deep the roots are.

Good luck..

Steve

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the local outlet." However,

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Reply to
steve

with it, so that the

local outlet." However,

I have heard that

with the aid of a

Drill numerous holes.

Soak in Kerosene.

Burn.

Rob

Reply to
trainfan1

I presume "length" here means "diameter" as if is level w/ ground don't know from what point one would measure a linear distance?

with it, so that the

local outlet." However,

If cheap is what you're after, cheapest is time and the pileated woodpeckers (see other thread of last several days)... :)

As someone else noted, with no indication of what variety of tree these might be or how large 2 out of the 3 are, how much effort to simply uproot them and haul them off is undeterminable. If the objective were that, having left a sizable section above ground would have been good for leverage and grip, but gathering that's not the case, suggest simply digging around them a little and finding out how much root structure there is first.

Reply to
dpb

The chemical sold as stump remover is potassium nitrate. You're supposed to bore many deep holes, a huge chore in itself, and pack this in. Supposedly this either (1) fertilizes fungal growth in the wood, causing "rapid" (a few years instead of a lifetime) decay to pith, or (2) eventually permeates the wood with oxidizer such that it will smoulder into ash if you ignite it, like an incense punk. Neither method sounds like it would really remove anything but parts of the stump, and likely not some parts you really wanted gone. Nor have I tried it, or despite following this idea for a long time, have I heard of anyone succeeding at it. I guess if you're going to leave the stump sitting there in any case, its worth a go.

You should be able to hire a stump-grinding service for $100 to $200. You may find that doing it yourself with a rental unit is more than you bargained for.

Reply to
Richard J Kinch

I would not advise this. Being a Vol. Fire fighter..........a root fire can occur..........a root could smolder for days or even weeks and sprout a brush fire somewhere down yonder.

Other than the stump grinder; You could always take your aggressions out on it with an axe and shovel. I wish your muscles happier days ahead :-)

Dean

Reply to
avid_hiker
1) Stump Grinder

2) Dig around and pull out with a tractor or truck

3) Dynamite! (personal favorite)

4) Home Depot does sell some sort of liquid you pour into it and it mushes up the wood over time.

5) Cover up with dirt and nature will do its job over time.

Tom

with it, so that the

local outlet." However,

I have heard that

with the aid of a

snipped-for-privacy@seldin.net

Reply to
tksirius

I've had good luck on several stumps by digging under them to expose an upside down "saddle" under the structural center of the stump. I then slip a chunk of 3/4" plywood under it and roll my floor jack down between the ply and the stump. I then jack it up, which pulls out, and finally breaks the smaller roots. After it's mostly loose, I can then pull it the rest of the way out with my come-along.

Bob

Reply to
Bob F

It doesn't work even after many applications and after many months or maybe a year or two. Ended up pulling it out myself.

Reply to
** Frank **

Start an argument with some guys about how hard it is, and bet them $50 that they can't get the stumps out in less than 2 days.

Reply to
Goedjn

Ten dollars worth of dynamite. And before you reject this out of hand, look in the yellow pages under "Explosives." Make a couple of calls.

Reply to
HeyBub

with it, so that the

local outlet." However,

have heard that

with the aid of a

Get some day laborers and make sure one can multi-task as an interpreter...

-- Oren

"The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!"

Reply to
Oren

If you wanted to remove it by hand, you should leave the trunk as high as possible to give you leverage.

That seems to be easy as you could jack it up now with hydraulic jack(s).

Chemicals never works for me, perhaps others have better luck. The problem with grinder is there is a lot of chips thrown all around the stump area so its ease to miss a few major roots. This happen to me when I had it done by a professional and then I had to pull out the remaining roots by hand.

Its amazing how much pulling force requires to pull out a little tree - it may take well over 50 tons. So dig, dig and then dig some more. I had my 2 ton hoist attached to a little 1 inch root. Broke the damn hoist, spend the next day welding it back. I had couple of come along pullers failed with the chain snapped back at me. Pretty exciting and lucky part of my face didn't go with it. I must admit pulling stumps by hand offers the best workout other than pouring concrete.

I would not go after the roots with a chain saw, as soon as you hit dirt you need to regrind the chain.

Reply to
** Frank **

with it, so that the

local outlet." However,

I have heard that

with the aid of a

snipped-for-privacy@seldin.net

I remove stumps routinely on my place. My latest method is to dig the thing up and remove it to the edge of the clearing later adding it to a bonfire. I use a Bobcat skidsteer with a digging attachment. Downside: A large crater is left where the stump was. Digging combined with yanking is often suggested.

Grinding the stump is the standard solution. Most chemical solutions have the reputation of being either very slow or not working at all.

Reply to
Lawrence

the guy who ground mine said to drill holes in the stump and pour buttermilk in them. don't know if it works.

Reply to
Apu Inmypants

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Reply to
Apu Inmypants

with it, so that the

local outlet." However,

have heard that

with the aid of a

snipped-for-privacy@seldin.net

Reply to
Afubar via HomeKB.com

Growing up; it was said to drill the holes and pour Diesel and leave it soak or later set ablaze. Usually a large Oak stump.

As a kid with the family camping we loved to collect Loblolly pine for camp fires. Stumps were harvested, loaded on trains and later processed for turpentine. Not sure about today. A good hot heat on a camp fire. The sap would snap and pop, might even get a spark on you.

A stump will burn for days in the ground as it essentially has a deep center tap root full of sap.

-- Oren

"The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!"

Reply to
Oren

i burn then with firewood , get good coals going then put the large wood on the stump to smolder. if you want to try charcoal ,i bet it would work too. it took me 2-3 days to burn 4 foot stump below ground . i take a shovel and break out the burnt coals on the stump often during the processs. of course a stump grinder is fastest way. lucas

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Reply to
ds549

Flatlanders... :)

Rob

Reply to
trainfan1

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