Tips & Tricks

Stump Removal – Part 5: Using Fire – March 2019

One of the most crowd favorite ways of getting rid of a stump is to burn the stump out of the ground. In reality, this method is less than perfect, since stumps set deep in the ground rarely receive enough oxygen to facilitate a fire that actually makes a measurable difference in eliminating the stump from your property. In fact, a low oxygen burn can instead create a charcoal material that is almost impossible to decompose and remove.

Burning can be used to get rid of tree stumps, but this method is rarely done except by professional landscaping and tree removers. Burning tree stumps can take up to a week or two to thoroughly burn and may not be permitted in most areas due to fire codes. This method should not be attempted nearby other dwellings or wooded areas.

Considered the quickest and easiest method, burning tree stumps out of the ground can be efficient. Though it may be somewhat time consuming, it can be done within a matter of hours, or even minutes, using specialized machinery like stump grinders. Smaller stumps can be dug out with a spade shovel or pickaxe.

Using Top Tree LLC
Top Tree LLC is your best choice for any tree stump removal needs in Pasco. All of our technicians are highly trained and properly certified. We are happy to answer any questions you have now or in the future.

Stump Removal – Part 5: Using Fire – March 2019 Read More »

Stump Removal – Part 4: Prepping For Chemicals – March 2019

Drill Holes In The Stump

Trim off as much of the top of the protruding stump as you can. Using a one inch spade bit with a spade bit extender, drill several one inch holes around the perimeter of the stump about a foot deep and three to four inches back from the edge. Drill more holes three to four inches down from the rim at a 45-degree angle to connect with the other holes. They’ll provide vent holes for burning or help the rotting process.

You could remove a stump by renting a stump grinder, but another way is to buy a can of stump remover. Most brands are made of powdered potassium nitrate, which speeds up the rotting process. You simply pour the granules into drilled holes and fill the holes with water. The stump will become pretty spongy after four to six weeks. Keep kids and pets away. Then you can break out the rotten wood with an ax.

For labor-free removal, the manufacturers of stump remover suggest burning out what’s left of the stump by pouring kerosene or fuel oil (never gasoline) into the holes. Wait until the liquid completely permeates the wood. Then drop a match into the holes to start the burning process. The stump will smolder for days, eventually leaving a charcoal-filled hole. It’s dangerous having a giant, smoldering ember in your yard, so some precautions are in order. Envelop the stump in chicken wire, remove all leaves from the vicinity before ignition and keep an eye on it!

We suggest the ax method for finishing the job. Stump removers work only on older stumps that have been dead for a year or so, not freshly cut tree stumps.

Using Top Tree LLC
Top Tree LLC is your best choice for any tree stump removal needs in Richland. All of our technicians are highly trained and properly certified. We are happy to answer any questions you have now or in the future.

Stump Removal – Part 4: Prepping For Chemicals – March 2019 Read More »

Stump Removal – Part 3: Removing The Stumps By Hand – March 2019

Removing a Stump by Grinding it Away Yourself

If removing a stump manually won’t work and you’d like to get rid of it quickly, you can always rent a grinder and grind the stump yourself. These machines weigh around 750 pounds, and you can expect to pay between $125 and $225 to rent one for a day. It makes sense to do the job yourself when there are several stumps to remove.

In addition to the grinder, you will need a mattack, a shovel, a rake, and a chainsaw.

  1. Use a shovel or mattock to clear rocks away from around the stump.
  2. Cut away as much of the stump as possible with a chainsaw. Try to get it as level to the ground as possible.
  3. Using the hydraulic lever, raise the grinder wheel a couple of inches above the stump. After turning it on, lower it about 3 inches into the stump. Move it side to side with the lever.
  4. After grinding down to about 4 inches with the grinder wheel, move it forward. Repeat the process until the entire stump is at least 4 inches below ground.

Be mindful that a stump grinder can be a dangerous piece of equipment and that you need to always wear protective gear. Be diligent about wearing protective goggles or glasses because wood chips and other debris will fly everywhere. If you’ve never used a stump grinder before, it’s also a good idea to have someone at the rental place teach you how to use the machine before bringing it home or having it delivered.

If you only have a stump or two, a professional company will probably only charge around $100 to $200, so that might be the way to go under those circumstances. As an added bonus, many companies will haul away the stump too.

DIY Method #1: How to Remove a Stump by Hand

People who want to remove the stump by hand often go about it the wrong way. To do this successfully, it helps to be dealing with a relatively small tree stump. If it’s from an older or diseased tree, that helps a lot too.

To do it yourself, it’s essential to have the right tools. You’ll need a chainsaw or limbing saw, a pick mattock, a shovel, a digging bar, an ax, a four-wheel-drive truck and some chain.

Follow these steps to remove a stump manually:

  1. Use a chainsaw or limbing saw to remove any lower branches from the trunk.
  2. Remove the top portion of the trunk, but leave enough to use as leverage.
  3. Use a shovel, pick mattock and digging bar as needed to reveal the roots around the stump.
  4. Use a hose or power washer to rinse dirt away to reveal more roots.
  5. Cut the major roots with an ax.
  6. Try pushing the trunk. If more roots are exposed, cut them with the ax. Continue pushing and pulling the trunk until the tree trunk is entirely uprooted.
  7. If the trunk won’t budge, wrap chain around it and connect it to a four-wheel-drive pickup truck.
  8. Alternate between slowly pulling forward and reversing to wiggle the trunk until it is uprooted.

Top Tree LLC is your best choice for any tree stump removal needs in Kennewick. All of our technicians are highly trained and properly certified. We are happy to answer any questions you have now or in the future.

Stump Removal – Part 3: Removing The Stumps By Hand – March 2019 Read More »

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