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Nature has a way of forging its own path.
While trees are a great addition to your property, they’re not all good. Some might be rotten and in need of removal. You might have already cut down these trees, which means that you’ll now have stumps. Stumps can be an eyesore and get in the way of mowing the lawn.
Let’s take a look at how to remove a stump.
Things to Consider Before Removing a Stump
If you’ve already made an effort to get a tree removed, you’ll want to get rid of the stump as well.
There are some excellent reasons for getting rid of that unwanted stump. Firstly, they are eyesores. Nobody likes looking out onto a yard and seeing stumps taking up valuable viewing space. They also don’t look great if they’ve got weeds and moss growing on them.
Secondly, they take up valuable space in your yard. You could be using that space to grow a garden or plant those flowers you’ve been thinking about for a while.
Thirdly, they can be quite dangerous. While you would think stumps are easy to see, they can be hidden by weeds, grass and even other plants. Having tripping hazards like stumps in your yard isn’t ideal.
Looking at the age and size of the tree before removing it will help you determine how to get rid of the stump. Some types of trees are harder to remove than others and require different techniques.
A good thing to remember is that the older the stump is, the easier it will be to remove. Likewise, a smaller stump will come out of the ground easier than its larger counterpart.
Your Guide to Removing a Stump Gradually
If you’re in no rush to see your stump gone, there is a simple, DIY way to do it over time.
Softening your stump with potassium nitrate or a commercial stump remover can help to speed up this process. First, you’ll want to cut it down as close to the ground as possible. You can do so with a chainsaw. Once you’ve cut it down to size, you’ll want to soak it in potassium nitrate. This will soften the wood and make it easier to remove.
To coat the stump entirely in the potassium nitrate, use a drill to create deep holes in the stump. Make sure the holes are roughly three to four inches apart. Pour the potassium nitrate into the holes, until they are three-quarters full. Top each hole off with boiling water – this will help to dissolve the chemical.
It will take the stump about a month to properly absorb the potassium nitrate, making it soft enough for removal. Once it is nice and soft, you can begin the process of removal. Soak the stump with an accelerant for another couple of weeks, until this is also soaked through.
Light your stump, and watch it burn. Be patient with the embers – they might take a week or two to burn out properly. Once the stump is burnt out completely, rake the ashes away.
Removing a Stump with Machinery
If you prefer to use equipment for a faster turnaround on your stump removal, you can invest in a stump grinder.
A stump grinder is a piece of machinery that effectively removes tree stumps by gradually chipping away at the wood. They vary significantly in size. You can get small DIY versions that are perfect for the average home job. You can also get stump grinders that are the size of cars, for more heavy-duty tasks.
This piece of equipment cuts through the wood with metal teeth that move at high speed. The teeth are attached to a high-speed disk that whirls around, slowly grinding the wood down into removable chips.
While arborists or landscapers usually use stump grinders, it is possible to rent them from your local hardware store to get rid of that small stump in your backyard.
If you want to get the job done and don’t have the time to watch it burn, use a stump grinder for your next DIY stump removal.
Learning How to Remove a Stump
Nobody wants a stump in their yard.
They’re unpleasant to look at and get in the way of other DIY yard projects. They can also cause injury if other trees and shrubs camouflage them.
If you’ve got children running around, you don’t want a stump to get in the way of their playing.
Removing a stump doesn’t have to be difficult. Whether you prefer to go the slow route and burn it out or get onto the task with a stump grinder, getting rid of that stump will be one more thing you can cross off the list.
