Removing tree stumps by hand

[Nelson_Muntz]

Any thoughts on how to successfully remove tree stumps by hand?

Advice received in Horticultural center was to pour Diesel on to it!?!?

DAFUQ!!

 

[justpassnthru]

I've tried and watched people, use many things. The thing I have found to be the most effecient is: "Stump Grinding" It works very well. I think you can rent the machine too.

The biggest concern of trying to dig a big stump up is, you may not succeed, but the wear and tear on your back and body, may not be worth what you pay in back pain and medical care. Not to mention the vehicle, if you have a pick-up or whatever you can use, it isn't worth it, a snapped chaing, spinning wheels. Save time and your body, give yourself a break.

I had mine grinded. I believe the guy said he put Turpentine on the remaining stump. The ground stump and dirt, make for some good vege garden stuff (before the Turpentine--I am not sure if he poured that in, I didn't see it). They never came back.

 

[TOM BOMBADIL]

dynamite

 

[OrganicOzarks]

Termites & time

 

[Sóley]

 

[JimmyRow]

Stump grinder or blow the fucker up is the most effective/efficient. But I've had some success drilling into the stump and using diesel, they sell a product that works so so.

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

Any thoughts on how to successfully remove tree stumps by hand?

Have your hand on a machine.

Seriously, digging out a stump by hand sent me to the hospital.

If you have time and you're not worried about creating termite bait, set a garden hose sprinkler on the stump and keep that thing wet all summer. Some places sell bottles of wood eating enzymes that you can pour over the thing and accelerate decomposition.

 

[Tonygreen]

log chain and truck or ox and plow works. If not have fun digging!

 

[Hydro-Soil]

log chain and truck or ox and plow works. If not have fun digging!

Yep... that would be my first question... How tall is the stump and what do the roots look like near the surface?

If it's tall enough to wrap a chain around... soak the ground for a few days. Dig the dirt out from around the largest roots (if you can get to them) and cut those with an axe or chain saw.

Tractor is better... but a good solid truck should work too. Lots of weight in the back helps, as well as good tires with traction for the surface you're on.

Good luck!

Stay Safe!

p.s. Farmer calls a stump removal company and they send out a kid fresh out of stump-removal school. Kid goes to work, farmer comments on the amount of explosives being used... kid says it's fine.
Huge explosion and cloud of dust and dirt... smoke clears and no stump... just a hole.
Couple seconds later the stump crushes the cab of the company pickup truck.
Farmer is seriously impressed and lets out a long low whistle. "Damn, boy! You're good! Little more practice and you'll get that sucker right in the bed." LOL

 

[im me]

lots and lots of gas, burn it up. keep a fire extinguisher close by so nothing else catches.

 

[strawbrrygirl]

first of all drill half inch holes in stump. drill as deep as possible and drill plenty of holes! Next take Saltpeter and put it in the drill holes fillem up! now you must wait!!! around 2 or 3 months layer put a flame on that stump and that thing will burn right up! careful of root in ground they might stay burning for some time!

 

[Capt.Ahab]

When I was a kid we made AMFO and blew the stumps out of the ground or at least loosened them enough to pull out. . Fertilizer, Perlite and fuel oil. Every old time farmer knew the proper ratios. We used a blasting cap for ignition. Hard to get ahold of those nowadays. BOOM!

 

[Nelson_Muntz]

Thanking you all much much for your replies.

Will let ye know how i gewt on later today. HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY

 

[AKDrifter]

I live in the boonies, so this may not work where you are. I have a 55 gal drum with the top and bottom cut off used for burning paper, cardboard and yard waste.
For stumps that arent huge I slip that barrel over the stump and keep burning. The majority of what I burn is blown down branches and other yard litter and my household paper trash, after a couple good burns the stump is about gone, the roots stay , but are below the ground so they just rot away.

For instant gratification, the stump grinder is the way.

 

[Garhart]

The memories that reading this brought back. Stump removal company was pretty good too .

 

[willyweed]

either dig a circle round the stump and as you go deeper use an axe to cut any roots you find,slowly aiming to dig under the stump or t.n.t or roundup tree and root killer

 

[scruffy]

Excavator. Don't know what you plan on using the ground for after, but I don't think pouring petroleum products on your yard is ever a good idea. I hired an excavator to dig 75 or so stumps out of my back yard, took him 2 days and cost me just under $2k. Most were removed at least 2 ft. below grade, plus he dug up the whole area to remove any roots down to about 18 in. I put in a 10,000 sq. ft. garden, and didn't want to have to work around stumps for 20 years while they rotted.

The saltpeter idea works, takes time, and unless you only have to take out one small stump, I'd rent a gas-powered drill- the more holes, the better. Still have to burn it, and it will smolder for a good long while. I've tried many times to burn stumps that have been out and drying for years, they still take forever to burn, even under several successive brush piles. Good luck.

 

[Nelson_Muntz]

"Stump Grinding"

Apparently it costs more then willing to part with for half a day rental. Dafuq

dynamite

Cant get it Local. Illegal

Then again when did that ever stop me

wood eating enzymes .

Cant get them local. Gap in the market

cut those with an axe or chain saw.

In the process

Saltpeter ...wait!!! ..put a flame!

I have done this with the two largest stups

either dig a circle round the stump and as you go deeper use an axe to cut any roots you find,slowly aiming to dig under the stump

I am doing this with three 26'' My back is fucked

pouring petroleum products on your yard is ever a good idea.

Amen

 

[foomar]

If the stump has to come out because you are building on it , then takeing your time by cutting roots and rocking out may be best if its only one , then recompact.

If there is no problem with it slowly rotting away in situe , then cutting off below ground level and drilling neat roundup/glysophate into the top will stop any suckering or regrowth , and take years to rot.



Back in the 50,s there was still a huge amount of demolition to do and dirt cheap explosives left over from the war , we used it to take out hedgerows and clear stumps in ways and places that would get you arrested nowadays.

 

[captain planet]

Seeing alot of wild ideas...... I may or may not know someone who works in arboriculture ..... Grinding is the way if it's accessible or just to big, if you gotta go the manual labor route, you'll find a spade shovel, pry shovel, grub hoe, and axe your best friends,..... And yes all of them, you will switch back and forth. ....... This stump could be 3 ft diameter and if you have the will those tools will get the job done. good luck