If there is a tree stump in your yard that is producing new shoots, you should kill it. Otherwise, the shoots will continue to grow. A half-dead tree stump is an ugly obstacle that won't go away on its own. You can kill a tree stump using a saline solution or by blocking it from sunlight. Furthermore, tree stumps that have died can be removed by burning or cutting.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Epsom Salt or Rock Salt
Step 1. Prepare Epsom salt or rock salt
Using Epsom salt or rock salt is an easy and inexpensive way to kill tree stumps. If using the salt method, it may take several months for the stump to die. So, this may not be the best option if you need to quickly remove a tree stump.
- Do not use regular table salt, which is harmful to the soil around the stump. Use 100% Epsom salt or rock salt without additives, to ensure the soil around the tree stump is not disturbed.
- For stubborn stubble, try a stump-killing chemical or herbicide containing glyphosate or triclopyr, rather than salt. Although herbicide chemicals can kill the stump more quickly, keep in mind that it can also kill the roots of trees or shrubs around the stump.
Step 2. Make a hole in the tree stump
Make holes all over the surface of the stump, so the saline solution can soak in. The holes should be about 1-2.5 cm wide and at least 20 cm deep, or 30.5 cm if you have a drill bit long enough. The hole deep enough will ensure that the saline solution soaks into the roots beneath the stump.
- If you don't have a drill bit that length, use an ax to cut the stump and make the deepest possible strokes.
- If working on a tree stump with aerial roots (aerial roots), drill holes in those roots as well.
Step 3. Fill the hole with salt and cover with wax
Pour the Epsom salt or rock salt into the hole until it is 3/4 of the way up. Don't forget to fill the holes in the aerial roots too. Now, light a regular unscented candle, and drip the wax into the hole to seal it.
It's important to make sure the salt stays in place, rather than spread over the yard, as excess salt can damage the topsoil and roots of other plants
Step 4. Cover the tree stump
Cover the tree stump with a plastic tarp, plastic trash bag, or other porous object. The stump will die faster if it no longer gets sunlight and rain to nourish all the emerging shoots. After 6 weeks to several months, the stump will die. Check occasionally to see the progress of the process. If it is dead, the stump will begin to self-destruct.
Method 2 of 4: Blocking the Tree Stump from the Sun
Step 1. Cover the tree stump
This method is free, but takes a long time. The idea is to slowly kill the tree stump by preventing the stump from getting its basic needs. Cover the tree stump with a tarp or black plastic trash bag, so the stump won't get any sunlight or water.
Step 2. Wait for 3-6 months
During this time, the tree stump will die slowly. Check occasionally to see the progress of the process. The stump should start to rot and crumble.
- As the tree stump dies and rots, you can use a stump crushing solution to speed up the process. The solution is available at nursery centers and garden supply stores.
- You can also pour Epsom salt into any cracks that appear in the tree stump, or see Method One and make lots of holes in the stump and fill with salt to speed up the process.
Step 3. Cut the tree stump
Use the ax to cut the stump once it's completely dead. For very large stumps, you may need a stump mower. When finished, fill the hole with soil.
Method 3 of 4: Burning Tree Stump
Step 1. Make a hole in the tree stump
Make lots of holes all over the surface of the stump. The holes should be about 1-2.5 cm wide and at least 20 cm deep, or 30.5 cm if you have a drill bit long enough. A hole deep enough will ensure that the tree stump burns all the way to the tips of the roots.
Step 2. Pour kerosene into the hole
Soaking kerosene into a tree stump causes the stump to burn to ashes. Make sure the kerosene is completely absorbed into the tree stump. Otherwise, the fire may be extinguished before it reaches the tips of the roots.
- Another option is to place the charcoal on a tree stump and then light it. Charcoal coals will slowly burn the tree stump. This will reduce the risk of fire to the surrounding plants.
- If you're concerned that objects near the stump will catch fire, don't use this method. This will start a fire in the stump, and while it's quite effective, it can be dangerous if there isn't a lot of free space around the stump.
- Check local regulations to make sure you are allowed to carry out controlled burning. Call 113 for more information.
Step 3. Light a fire over the stump
Place a piece of wood on the stump and use a lighter to light the fire. As the fire dims, the tree stump will catch the embers and burn. Watch carefully to make sure the tree stump is completely burning, and add more wood, if necessary, to keep the fire from going out.
- Be sure to watch the tree stump as it burns to ashes. Do not leave the stump burning unattended, lest the fire get out of control.
- Depending on the size of the stump, burning may take several hours.
Step 4. Dig the ash out, and fill the hole
Use a shovel to dig all the ash out, down to the roots of the stump, and fill the hole with fertile soil.
Method 4 of 4: Cutting the Tree Stump
Step 1. Set up a stump grinder
It is a machine that can be rented from a home improvement store with a rotating cutter that will cut the stump. This method is good to use if the stump is large and stubborn. Renting a stump mower may be the best option, but if there is a lot of stumps that need trimming, the cost of purchasing the machine may be worth the benefits.
- Also prepare protective equipment. Goggles and a mask will protect you from flying dust and wood chips.
- If you don't like using heavy machinery, contact the landscaper and explain that you have a tree stump that needs to be removed. You will be able to pay someone else to do it.
Step 2. Cut the tree stump near the ground
Use an electric saw to cut the stump, so that it is only a few inches from the ground. Cut any branches or roots that stick out too far from the ground, so the stump mower can be used on a more stable surface.
Step 3. Cut the tree stump
Put on goggles and a mask, and position the stump mower over the stump. Then, according to the manufacturer's instructions, gently move the stump cutting machine over the surface of the stump until it crumbles. Continue on the aerial roots to destroy them as well, until the stump is completely crushed.
- Be careful not to get your feet in the path of the stump mower. Wear thick boots so you don't accidentally injure yourself.
- Make sure children and pets are away from the equipment before you start using it.
Step 4. Dig the dust and wood chips out, and fill the hole
Dig up and remove any wood chips, or use it as mulch. Then, fill the hole with soil.
You may need to use an ax to cut off any remaining roots
Tips
Purchase a dye to mix into the herbicide before using it. The dye shows visually which parts of the stump have been treated with the herbicide, so that no parts are missed or given too much herbicide, which increases the risk of exposure to other trees
Warning
- You may need to take other steps if shoots are still emerging after the stump is cut, as some vigorous trees can still grow shoots from the rest of the stump.
- Trees that grow close together, especially if of the same type, form a network of roots that sometimes share a network of vessels through a process known as root grafting. If the trees have formed root grafts, the herbicide applied to a tree stump will spread to other trees.
- Even if there is no root graft, the tree can release some of the herbicide into the soil through the root tissue. Once the herbicide is released into the environment, all nearby plants can absorb it.
