Difference between revisions of "Kill a Tree Stump"
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#Obtain Epsom salt or rock salt. Using Epsom salt or rock salt is an easy way to kill a stump cheaply. When you use the salt method it takes several months for the stump to die, so it might not be your best bet if you need to get rid of the stump quickly. | #Obtain Epsom salt or rock salt. Using Epsom salt or rock salt is an easy way to kill a stump cheaply. When you use the salt method it takes several months for the stump to die, so it might not be your best bet if you need to get rid of the stump quickly. | ||
#*Do not use regular table salt, which is harmful to the soil surrounding the stump. Use 100 percent Epsom or rock salt with no added ingredients, to make sure the land around the stump doesn't get disturbed. | #*Do not use regular table salt, which is harmful to the soil surrounding the stump. Use 100 percent Epsom or rock salt with no added ingredients, to make sure the land around the stump doesn't get disturbed. | ||
| − | #*For a stubborn stump you can try a chemical stump remover or an herbicide containing glyphosate or triclopyr instead of salt.<ref>http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/trees/msg011804592087.html</ref> While a chemical herbicide will kill the stump faster, keep in mind that it could kill the roots of surrounding trees or shrubs as well. | + | #*For a stubborn stump you can try a chemical stump remover or an herbicide containing glyphosate or triclopyr instead of salt.<ref name="rf1">http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/trees/msg011804592087.html</ref> While a chemical herbicide will kill the stump faster, keep in mind that it could kill the roots of surrounding trees or shrubs as well. |
| − | #Drill holes in the stump. Drill a pattern of holes across the surface of the stump, so the solution will be able to penetrate. The holes should be about {{convert|1/2|to|1|in|cm|adj=on|1|1}} wide and at least {{convert|8|in|cm|1}} deep, or {{convert|12|in|cm|1}} if you have a long enough drill bit. Penetrating deeply will ensure the salt solution saturates the roots below the trunk.<ref>http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/organic/msg051819595723.html?8</ref> | + | #Drill holes in the stump. Drill a pattern of holes across the surface of the stump, so the solution will be able to penetrate. The holes should be about {{convert|1/2|to|1|in|cm|adj=on|1|1}} wide and at least {{convert|8|in|cm|1}} deep, or {{convert|12|in|cm|1}} if you have a long enough drill bit. Penetrating deeply will ensure the salt solution saturates the roots below the trunk.<ref name="rf2">http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/organic/msg051819595723.html?8</ref> |
#*If you don't have a drill bit this long, use an ax to chop into the wood and make gouges as deep as you can. | #*If you don't have a drill bit this long, use an ax to chop into the wood and make gouges as deep as you can. | ||
#*If you're working with a stump that has large arial roots, drill holes in those as well. | #*If you're working with a stump that has large arial roots, drill holes in those as well. | ||
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===Burning the Stump=== | ===Burning the Stump=== | ||
| − | #Drill holes in the stump. Burning is a good way to remove the stump after you have killed it. Start by drilling plenty of holes across the surface of the stump. The holes should be about {{convert|1/2|to|1|in|cm|adj=on|1|1}} wide and at least {{convert|8|in|cm|1}} deep, or {{convert|12|in|cm|1}} if you have a long enough drill bit. Penetrating deeply will ensure the stump gets burned down to the tips of the roots so that it will be easy to remove.<ref>http://www.familyhandyman.com/landscaping/how-to-remove-a-tree-stump-painlessly/view-all</ref> | + | #Drill holes in the stump. Burning is a good way to remove the stump after you have killed it. Start by drilling plenty of holes across the surface of the stump. The holes should be about {{convert|1/2|to|1|in|cm|adj=on|1|1}} wide and at least {{convert|8|in|cm|1}} deep, or {{convert|12|in|cm|1}} if you have a long enough drill bit. Penetrating deeply will ensure the stump gets burned down to the tips of the roots so that it will be easy to remove.<ref name="rf3">http://www.familyhandyman.com/landscaping/how-to-remove-a-tree-stump-painlessly/view-all</ref> |
#Pour kerosene into the holes. Soaking the stump with kerosene will enable you to light it on fire so it will burn into ash. Make sure the stump is fully saturated, or the fire may go out before it reaches the tips of the roots. | #Pour kerosene into the holes. Soaking the stump with kerosene will enable you to light it on fire so it will burn into ash. Make sure the stump is fully saturated, or the fire may go out before it reaches the tips of the roots. | ||
#*Another option is to place charcoal on top of the stump and light the charcoal on fire. The coals will slowly burn down through the stump. This method will reduce the chances of burning nearby plants. | #*Another option is to place charcoal on top of the stump and light the charcoal on fire. The coals will slowly burn down through the stump. This method will reduce the chances of burning nearby plants. | ||
#*If you're worried about nearby objects catching fire, you shouldn't use this method. You're going to be setting the stump on fire, and while it's quite effective, it can be dangerous if you don't have plenty of room around the stump. | #*If you're worried about nearby objects catching fire, you shouldn't use this method. You're going to be setting the stump on fire, and while it's quite effective, it can be dangerous if you don't have plenty of room around the stump. | ||
#*Check local city ordinances to make sure it’s legal to do a controlled burn. Call 411 to find out more information. | #*Check local city ordinances to make sure it’s legal to do a controlled burn. Call 411 to find out more information. | ||
| − | #[[Build a Fire|Build a fire]] on top of the stump. Put scrap wood on top of the stump and use a fire starter to ignite it. As the fire burns down, the stump will catch and burn up. Look closely to make sure the stump actually catches, and add more wood as necessary to keep the fire going.<ref | + | #[[Build a Fire|Build a fire]] on top of the stump. Put scrap wood on top of the stump and use a fire starter to ignite it. As the fire burns down, the stump will catch and burn up. Look closely to make sure the stump actually catches, and add more wood as necessary to keep the fire going.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#*Be sure to monitor the stump as it burns to ash. Don’t leave it unattended, in case the fire gets out of hand. | #*Be sure to monitor the stump as it burns to ash. Don’t leave it unattended, in case the fire gets out of hand. | ||
#*Depending on the size of the stump, the burn may take several hours. | #*Depending on the size of the stump, the burn may take several hours. | ||
#Dig out the ashes and fill in the hole. Use a shovel to remove all of the ashes, down through where the roots were, and fill in the hole with fresh soil. | #Dig out the ashes and fill in the hole. Use a shovel to remove all of the ashes, down through where the roots were, and fill in the hole with fresh soil. | ||
===Chopping it Up=== | ===Chopping it Up=== | ||
| − | #Get a stump grinder. You can also chop up a stump to remove it. To use this removal method, you will need a stump grinder. You can rent one from a home improvement store. This machine has a rotary cutter that will drill into and grind up the stump. It's a good method to use if you have a huge, stubborn stump you need to remove. Renting a stump grinder is probably the most prudent option, but if you have a lot of stumps to grind, it might be worth it to buy one.<ref>http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/lawn-garden/1273711</ref> | + | #Get a stump grinder. You can also chop up a stump to remove it. To use this removal method, you will need a stump grinder. You can rent one from a home improvement store. This machine has a rotary cutter that will drill into and grind up the stump. It's a good method to use if you have a huge, stubborn stump you need to remove. Renting a stump grinder is probably the most prudent option, but if you have a lot of stumps to grind, it might be worth it to buy one.<ref name="rf4">http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/lawn-garden/1273711</ref> |
#*Get protective equipment, too. Goggles and a mask will protect you from sawdust and flying wood chips. | #*Get protective equipment, too. Goggles and a mask will protect you from sawdust and flying wood chips. | ||
#*If you don't enjoy handling heavy machinery, call a local landscaper and explain that you have a stump that needs to be removed. You'll be able to pay someone else to do it. | #*If you don't enjoy handling heavy machinery, call a local landscaper and explain that you have a stump that needs to be removed. You'll be able to pay someone else to do it. | ||
| − | #Cut the stump close to the ground. Use a chainsaw to level off the stump just a few inches from the ground. Remove any branches or roots that stick up too far off the ground so that the stump grinder will have a stable surface on which to operate.<ref | + | #Cut the stump close to the ground. Use a chainsaw to level off the stump just a few inches from the ground. Remove any branches or roots that stick up too far off the ground so that the stump grinder will have a stable surface on which to operate.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#Grind up the stump. Put on your goggles and mask, and position the stump grinder over the stump. Then, following the manufacturer’s instruction, move the grinder slowly across the stump's surface to grind it up to bits. Continue along the arial roots to grind those as well until the stump has been fully ground up. | #Grind up the stump. Put on your goggles and mask, and position the stump grinder over the stump. Then, following the manufacturer’s instruction, move the grinder slowly across the stump's surface to grind it up to bits. Continue along the arial roots to grind those as well until the stump has been fully ground up. | ||
#*Be careful not to get your feet in the way of the grinder. Wear heavy boots so you won't accidentally hurt yourself. | #*Be careful not to get your feet in the way of the grinder. Wear heavy boots so you won't accidentally hurt yourself. | ||
