Site Preparation for Stump Removal
Cutting a tree can leave behind an unsightly stump which could be cumbersome to mow or landscape around. Removing a stump can take some time to do, but preparing the site and the stump properly first can make the process much smoother.
Items needed:
- Chainsaw
- Shovel with pointed end
- Axe
- Crowbar
- Heavy chain
- Garden tractor
- Jigsaw
- Drill and 1-inch drill bits
- Chemical stump remover
1. Cut the stump off as low to the ground as possible by using a chainsaw. Take care not to cut into any heavy roots with the saw.
2. Dig a trench all the way around the stump with a pointed shovel. The trench should be wide enough in diameter so that all the major roots are enclosed within the circle. Try to make the trench between one to two feet deep the entire perimeter.
3. As you are digging the trench, cut up any thick roots with an axe. Discard and remove them so you can continue to create the trench.
4. If you are able to get underneath the stump, you can try to pry it loose with a crowbar. If you are able to move the stump in this manner, you may be able to tie a chain onto it and then pull it out with a tractor.
5. In the event you are unable to pry the stump loose, you can choose to remove it by burning or with chemicals. If you plan to burn the stump, you should bore out a cavity in the center of the stump with a jigsaw. The size of this cavity will vary based upon the diameter of the stump itself.
6. You can also drill holes in the top of the stump in order to place stump remover inside. Drill these holes approximately 12 inches deep and spaced six to 12 inches apart. Add stump remover and wait six to eight weeks for the product to kill the stump on its own.