There are several methods you can choose to get rid of a tree stump without the pain or expense of digging it out, but none of them are as quick. You can rot it out, dissolve it out, burn it out, grind it out, or dig it out.
The easiest and cheapest method of removing a stump is to just leave it alone and let it gradually decay in the ground from natural fungus and bacteria. This can take a year or more, depending on the size of the stump, the species of the tree, and the soil conditions.
You can speed up the process by letting it rot in moist soil. Cut the stump at ground level or slightly below, cover it with soil or mulch to encourage the decay organisms and keep this soil moist so that the bacteria and fungus will rot the wood. Grass can be planted in this thin layer of soil if you are careful to water it during dry spells. The main shortcoming of this method is that it is still extremely slow and can take nearly a year. However, rotting can be hastened by boring several vertical holes about 6 inches deep and 3 inches apart in the stump before you bury it. The addition of nitrogen fertilizer to the soil can also help speed the process up just a little more, and with luck, may cut the decay time in half, but still measured in months to years depending on the size of the stump.
There are commercial products available that claim to rapidly dissolve tree stumps, but, few, if any of these products dissolve the stump much faster than the natural decay process.
It is also possible to burn out a tree stump using a charcoal fire. Make a "stove" to hold the fire by removing the top and bottom from a metal container and punching a few 1 inch draft holes near the bottom. A 5-gallon bucket makes a good stove for use with smaller stumps. Place it on the top of the stump or down over it (if the stump is small) and build the fire. Use kindling to start the fire before adding the charcoal. When the fire burns one part of the stump, move it to a new location on the stump. For really large stumps, you can make a stove from a 55-gallon drum or create an enclosure of bricks around the stump for your flame. When burning a stump, check the fire often to make sure it has adequate ventilation and fuel so you can keep a hot blaze.
One of the ways to increase the time it takes to burn out a stump is the application of chemicals that soak through the root system and create a condition of maximum combustibility to speed the burning. Chemicals that increase the flammability should be applied in the late spring or early summer. After cutting the stump flush with the ground, bore a pattern of 1-inch diameter vertical holes six inches deep at 3-inch intervals. These should extend out to within two inches of the bark.
CAUTION: The chemicals mentioned below are toxic so always wear rubber gloves when handling them, and use sufficient ventilation. Keep them away from children and pets, and avoid getting any of the powder on your clothing. Dispose of any leftover chemicals in a manner consistent with your county's laws for hazardous waste disposal.
There may be a more modern, safer, chemical mixture recipe than this, but a few decades ago, this one was considered to be efficient for burning out a stump:
4.5 parts sodium dichromate
1.5 parts cupric chloride
1 part lead acetate
1 part manganese dichloride
These chemicals come in powder form and must be mixed with water to the consistency of thick molasses. You will need about two pounds of this mixture for a stump that is 12 inches in diameter. Pour 1/4 cup of the chemicals into each of the holes. Add a few drops of liquid household detergent to increase the penetration of the chemical mixture throughout the stump.
After treating the stump, cover it with a protective sheet of plastic or other waterproof material to protect it from children and pets since the chemicals are toxic. Weigh it down with bricks and leave it for two to three months. Begin burning in the late summer or early fall, preferably after a long dry spell, but do not attempt this if there is a ban on burning in your area due to too dry weather. Use kindling wood or charcoal to start the fire in your stump stove. Depending on its size, the weather and the thoroughness of chemical penetration, the stump should smolder for 1 to 3 weeks before being reduced to ashes. A simple reflector shield made of aluminum foil tacked over a light frame will speed the burning of a stump. Stretch the foil across a frame of 1" x 1" lumber, and place it shiny side down over the stump. Be sure that one side of this cover is elevated a foot or so off the ground. Its purpose is to reflect the heat of the stove back towards the stump.
If you'd like a quicker method than the above, you may be able to rent a stump router machine to grind the stump away. These machines can be dangerous if you are not properly trained, so be sure to get the proper instruction before using it. And definitely read and follow all safety warnings and precautions. Eye protection is required, along with other appropriate safety gear.
Stump routers come in a variety of sizes and some are designed to work in tight places. You just slowly move the cutter head back and forth over the stump, grinding away a little of it at a time. Efficiency depends on the size of the cutter head, the power of the machine, and the skill of the operator. Some stump router machines can grind the stump to 24 inches deep or more. The stump should be ground down to the depth needed for your planned use of the area. If you are just going to be planting grass, grind the stump at least 8 to 12 inches below ground level. Other uses may require a deeper grinding.
Digging the stump out by hand can be very difficult, even for small trees, but if hand removal is being considered, the trunk of the tree should be left as tall as possible, to provide leverage to loosen the soil and break the roots as the digging progresses. It also gives something to tie a rope to if you plan on using a vehicle to help you with that leverage. Renting a backhoe can help you accomplish the job efficiently on smaller stumps, or you can call a professional.
As you can see, there are a lot of ways to remove a tree stump. Digging or grinding to remove it may be well worth the cost if time is important. But if the slower, cheaper, approach is acceptable, consider letting nature do the job for you.
Author Resource:-
Mark Dunne is a successful freelance writer providing advice on your a number of topics like
Concrete Articles and Drywall Plaster if you have time drop by his site for some tips and information. http://www.diystuff.com
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