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It might seem cruel to be wondering how to kill a tree stump, especially if you grew up with Shel Silverstein's classic children's book The Giving Tree. But the harsh fact is that letting a tree stump fester in the ground can cause myriad problems, according to the arborist sources AD asked. So before we break down the best methods to remove tree stumps, let's take a moment to talk through why tree stump killing or removal is often necessary.
"Old stumps attract pests, harbor fungi, and become tripping hazards," says Melissa Rolston, chief strategy officer at Paramount Landscaping. "Some even try to regrow. Removing them protects your soil, prevents infestation, and keeps your yard design intentional."
Adding to that, the pests Rolston warns of can include ants, termites, and other insects that may eventually lead to the spread of pathogens and fungi to nearby flora -- devastating what may have been perfectly healthy plants before.
Now that we've established a few of the reasons why you might need to kill a tree stump, read on to learn about four methods you can use to get rid of a tree stump for good.
How to kill a tree stump
1. Use chemicals -- with care -- to kill a tree stump
Almost every expert we reached out to for tree stump removal tips recommended using a chemical herbicide to quickly and effectively vanquish unwanted tree stumps -- for many, it was their top suggestion. Benjamin Hanley of Hanley Landscape Design tells AD that "targeted herbicides like glyphosate (potassium nitrate) or triclopyr can be applied directly to a fresh cut or drilled holes in the stump to kill the root system." This can be a highly effective way to completely kill off a stump, but be warned: Those chemicals can be dangerous. It's crucial to use proper protection -- and to keep kids and pets at bay -- if you're using this tree stump removal method.
Materials needed for killing a tree stump using herbicides:
How to kill a tree stump using chemical herbicides:
1. Cut the stump as low to the ground as possible, then drill holes
Use a chainsaw to cut the stump down as short as you safely can. Next, drill multiple holes down into the stump, with the goal of sinking them at least eight to 10 inches down.
2. While wearing safety gear, apply the herbicide, then add water
Generously pour your herbicide of choice down into each of the holes you drilled, taking extra care not to get any of the powder or liquid on exposed skin or anywhere near your face. Then pour about a cup of water into each hole to activate the chemicals.
3. Cover the stump snugly with the tarp, then check on it from time to time
Cover the treated tree stump with a tarp. Secure the tarp with bungees, ropes, rocks, or a combination of items heavy enough to keep it down tightly. Within a matter of days, that stump should be effectively dead, but the process may stretch out a bit depending on the stump's resilience. (See below FAQ on how long it takes to kill a tree stump.)
"The tarp keeps rain out and helps retain heat and moisture, speeding up decomposition," says Gabe Boersma of Top It or Drop It Tree Service. He advises checking on the treated stump every few weeks, and "within a few months, the stump should be soft enough to break apart with an axe or shovel."
2. Grind the tree stump out
For smaller tree stumps, you may be able to simply rip the stump and its root system out of the ground using a shovel, a pick, and some elbow grease. For larger stumps, "our preferred method of removal is to grind the stump," says Hanley. "A grinder can be used to remove it below grade with minimal site disturbance. We often grind the root system as well. Homeowners can rent a compact stump grinder from a store like Home Depot or Lowe's, or call your local tree company to grind it."
Whether you go choose to purchase a stump grinder and DIY it, find a rental, go to the professionals, this is the priciest way to remove a tree stump -- but it's also the fastest by far.
Materials needed for killing a tree stump by grinding it out:
How to remove a stump using a stump grinder:
1. Cut the stump as low to the ground as possible, then clear debris
If you have one and feel safe using it, cut the stump as low to the ground as you can using a chainsaw. Then clear away as much debris as you can, as the chainsawing process will almost certainly kick up sawdust, fallen twigs, leaves, and loose rocks.
2. Grind the stump using side-to-side motions
Set the stump grinder in place with its cutting wheel over the stump, then fire it up and slowly lower it down. Once the cutting wheel begins to make contact with the stump, move it from side to side and forward and back as needed to slowly grind away the tree stump.
3. Cut the roots then fill the hole
Use the stump grinder to sever and grind and large tree roots you see exposed in the grind-down process as well, and when you're done grinding both the stump and the root system, be sure to fill the hole you have created with soil, packing it until it's leveled off. Consider using the ground stump bits as mulch.
3. Kill the stump with fire
If you plan to use fire to kill a tree stump, please, put safety first, second, and third! Make sure there are no overhanging limbs that could combust, cut back and remove nearby grasses, brambles, and underbrush, and have a fire extinguisher ready to deal with any embers that float away.
Despite the many hazards one must be aware of before choosing this tree stump removal method, there are good arguments to be made for using fire to eliminate your tree stump. "The burning method deserves special attention because it does not require uprooting the stump by hand or using heavy equipment, which can be a challenge if the stump is in a hard to reach area," says Josh Heston, co-owner of ALC Property Maintenance. "The process does not take much time but does require attention to safety."
Materials needed for killing a tree stump with fire:
How to (safely!) kill a tree stump with fire:
1. Drill a large hole into the center of the stump, then drill side holes
Ideally you would do this using a doorknob drill bit or one similar to it, making a large hole in the center of the stump and drilling down as far as you can. Then, with a smaller bit (think a half-inch), drill into the sides of the stump until you reach the main hole. (Take note: This approach will not work with extra-wide stumps.)
2. Saturate the fabric with flame accelerant, then insert it into the hole and light it
Taking great care (and wearing gloves), soak the strip or strips of cotton in gas or lighter fluid, then insert all but a few inches of the fabric into the center hole. Switch gloves for safety (be aware of gasoline residue) and then light the fabric.
3. Tend to the flames
"In order for the stump to start burning from the inside, you need to provide an oxygen supply," says Heston. "For this, periodically blow air through the side holes. Also, from time to time, toss in some dry branches into the central hole to maintain the flame inside." And do not squirt in gas or lighter fluid; that's riskier than it's worth.
4. Monitor the process, then make sure all flames have gone out
It may take several hours for a stump to burn up enough that it can be removed easily with shovels and picks. Even if you don't plan to fully remove the stump -- you just needed to kill it -- the burning technique will work and is relatively low-impact.
4. The "natural" method: time, patience, and salt to kill a tree stump
You don't need to use fire, harsh chemicals, or heavy machinery to kill a tree stump; you can opt for a much more "natural" approach -- but it will take time. Essentially, for the "natural method," per Boersma, you'll use "the same equipment as with the chemical [approach], but swap out chemicals for epsom salt or rock salt."
Materials needed to kill a tree stump using epsom or rock salt:
How to kill a tree stump using salts:
1. Cut the stump as low to the ground as possible, then drill holes
If you have one, use a chainsaw and cut the stump as low as you safely can. Then drill several wide holes into the stump.
2. Dump in the salts, then add water
Pour in enough rock or epsom salt to fill each hole you drilled, then pour over enough water to fully saturate the salt.
3. Wrap the stump snugly with the tarp, then check on it in a couple of months
Wrap the stump in a durable tarp and secure it in place. Then it's time to play the waiting game. "This process is slow, taking 6 to 12 months, but is nontoxic and requires very little labor," says Michael Clark, the Founder of Yardwork. Eventually, the stump will be so broken down that the ground will reclaim it or you can remove it with a shovel.
Frequently asked questions
What household products kill tree stumps?
The most common household products you can use to kill tree stumps include epsom salts and rock salts, as noted above, but there are other things you likely have around the house that can be used as well. Like the salts (and stronger herbicidal chemicals), both of these products should be applied by pouring them down holes you drill into the stump.
You can use undiluted bleach (be careful not to breathe in the fumes) or white vinegar, and make sure to wrap the stump tightly in an airtight tarp after pouring in either DIY stump killer fluid.
What is the fastest way to kill a tree stump and roots?
While it could be considered the most labor-intensive and costliest way to fully destroy and remove a tree stump, grinding the stump is the fastest method of removal by far. You can remove a tree stump via grinding in an hour or two, as opposed to the weeks or months it can take to kill off then dig up a stump with chemicals or other products. "Especially for large stumps that need to be removed quickly, it's best to use a stump grinder," says Clarke. Larger stumps may resist salts or chemicals, and may continue to resprout new shoots or harbor pests and fungi for a long while.
How long does it take to kill a tree stump?
With a stump grinder, you can kill a tree stump in an hour or two, give or take the preparation and cleanup time. On the far extreme, David Brown, owner of Reliable Tree Service, notes that it can take "six months to two years" to kill off a tree stump via "natural decomposition, [which is] the best approach for eco-conscious or low-budget approaches if you have the time to wait."
What are the reasons to kill a tree stump?
The most basic reason to kill off a tree stump is to reclaim the space; maybe it's in the middle of your backyard and the kids want to play there, or it would make for less hassle for you and your lawn mower. Maybe it's in the middle of your garden and you want more planting space. The list could go on.
But there are other valid reasons that you may want to kill a tree stump -- reasons that can protect your home and can protect other trees and plants nearby. "Fungal decay [from a stump] can spread to nearby plants, and the rotting wood often attracts pests," says Hanley. Adding to that, Boersma explains that "dead stumps can attract pests like termites, carpenter ants, or fungi that can spread to nearby healthy trees or even your home's structure."
Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
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