Trees are the kinds of garden plants that take excruciatingly long to cultivate. Once they fully grow, you cannot help but take pride in how beautiful your garden has turned out to be. Not only do they add a touch of grace to your garden, but they also provide you with a much-needed respite from the scorching sun. They might even provide you with fresh fruit.
All these fine qualities make it that much harder to part with them. Perhaps they were infected by a disease. Maybe you want to refurbish your yard. In any case, you’ve decided to cut it down mercilessly. Though somewhat laborious, it does not take too long. All would be well were it not for the hideous remainder of where the tree once stood – the tree stump.
Summary
The best way to kill and remove tree stumps & roots is with the use of Spectracide’s stump remover. If you want a product that works faster, the best way to kill tree stumps & roots is with Bonide, although it’s a bit more expensive.
In this article, we’ll also cover the following:
- Using a stump grinder
- The burning method
Though it may seem like you’ll never get rid of this monstrosity, there is hope. This article will delve deeper into the art of tree trunk removal.
How do you kill & remove a tree stump & roots fast?
Using a stump grinder
If you opt for this technique, be prepared to pay anywhere from $100 to $200 to rent a stump grinder. Bear in mind that these devices are as large as lawn mowers. Thus, your car might not possess the capacity necessary to carry it yourself. Additional fees might be required for delivery services.
Is this the first time you use this tool? Consult the instruction manual before you get to work.
Once you get your stump grinder, read on:
1. Dress up for the task. Protective gear, safety goggles, and ear defenders are a must when operating a device of this caliber.
2. Clear the area around the trunk. Remove all rocks and other hard debris before you tackle the stump itself. If you don’t, the grinder might scatter them in every direction. What’s more, the rocks might damage the tool.
3. Move the machine a few inches over the trunk and turn it on.
4. Start slowly lowering the grinder. As you do so, perform a side-to-side motion to chisel the stump properly. Be patient and let the machine eat through it.
5. Move over the trunk and repeat the process. The whole perimeter must be about 3 inches below the soil.
6. Once finished, backfill the hole. Be sure you add fresh, fertile soil on top if you plan to plant anything over it.
Using the burning method
You’d probably think all wood burns easily since it’s been used as fuel since time immemorial. Well, that does not apply to wood which is still alive. A tree stump will not catch fire on the very same day you felled the tree. You might have to wait a year before you can apply this method.
To get started, you must first cut it into smaller pieces. It will enlarge its surface area, allowing it to dry sooner. In addition, it provides a constant oxygen intake to the fire once you start it.
We offer two methods to accomplish this – the saw method and the drill method.
Cut deep into the tree trunk with a chainsaw and create a 2×2 inch grid. The fuel will be able to permeate deeper into the trunk, making it burn faster.
The second method calls for a power drill. With a 1-inch drill bit equipped, drill in horizontal and vertical holes so that they connect. It creates an internal grid of sorts, achieving the same end as the saw method.
Once done, soak a piece of cloth in flammable liquid. It can be fuel, oil, or alcohol. Due to gas prices going up, we advise using alcohol or a BBQ lighter if you want to be economical. Force the wet cloth deep into the holes. Choose a cloth you’re willing to part with, as it will burn together with the stump.
Then, drench the stump with the flammable liquid of your choosing. Allow it to fill every cavity. Let it soak for a few days and ensure that the top is protected from rain and morning dew, ideally by covering it.
Before you awaken your inner pyromaniac, it is a good idea to cover the trunk with a wall of rock or other flammable debris. It will help contain the fire to the trunk, protecting your garden.
When you set it alight, expect the fire to take about a day to eat its way through. This is because most of the fire will be contained within so that it will burn slowly.
Alternatively, you can use coal to do the deed. Prepare the stump using either one of the methods, then light up some coal on your grill. Once it begins to smolder, douse it over the trunk until it erodes it from within.
Using tree stump removers
1. Gear up for the job. Equip protective gloves and safety goggles.
2. Chisel the stump to such a state that you may apply the chemicals. This means shortening it as much as possible, ideally with a saw.
3. Extract as much tree bark as you can. It is impervious to water, which may interfere with the decay.
4. Equip your power drill with a 1-in diameter bit.
5. Drill several holes into the trunk, at least 6 inches deep. Ideally, you want to penetrate deep below the soil level, so make them deeper if you must. They should be an inch or two apart for maximum efficacy.
6. The time has come to apply the product of your choosing. Following the instructions written on the bottle, fill up each hole with it.
7. In case granular type is used, add water to dissolve it. In solid form, it will not work properly.
8. Inspect the decay progress every week. Apply more products if you must. The stump should be brittle enough for extraction after several weeks.
Using Epsom Salts
1. Grab a power drill and equip it with a 1-inch diameter bit.
2. Drill several holes into the stump. We recommend that you drill them 8 inches deep, leaving a couple of inches between each one.
3. Douse the trunk with the salt and pour water over it. The dissolved salt will better permeate the stump and prevent it from drawing nutrients from the soil.
4. Cover it to block off potential rain. If you don’t, the salt will be washed away. Make sure you use covers made from impervious material, such as plastic.
5. Repeat this procedure at least once a week until the stump appears brittle and desiccated. 6. Don’t be discouraged if you find no sign of progress – this method may take months before it works.
7. Remove the stump with a spade or shovel when you can confirm it is dead.
Using copper nails
1. Purchase the right nails. It means nails crafted entirely from this metal. A mere copper coat will not be sufficient to poison the stump. A trunk wide 5 inches in diameter calls for 10 nails. Each one should be at least 4 inches long.
2. Placing the nails as close to the roots as possible, hammer them into the trunk. It might be a good idea to first shorten the trunk for better effect. Keep the nails at least 1 inch afar from one another.
3. Remove all sprouts and roots emanating from the stump. With no other choice, it will draw nutrients from the copper and ultimately perish.
4. Let the nails work their magic. Check on the decay every week. It should take one to three months for the trunk to rot completely. It all depends on its size.
5. When it withers away, remove the nails using a nail puller.
6. With the nails out, all that remains is to remove the stump itself.
