Any advice on getting rid of a stump??

Discussion in 'Trees, Shrubs and Roses' started by stratsmom, Apr 25, 2011.

  1. stratsmom

    stratsmom Flower Fanatic

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2006
    Messages:
    4,086
    Likes Received:
    700
    Location:
    Southern Oregon
    We have an old pine stump in our cemetery plot that needs to come out. Is there something I can sprinkle on it to speed up the rotting process?? I'm thinking we are going to need shovels, axes, maybe a chain saw...
    :rolleyes: I thought I read someplace that rock salt would demolish a stump but for the life of me I can't remember. Anybody know for sure??
     
  2. Loading...


  3. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2006
    Messages:
    19,634
    Likes Received:
    5,059
    Location:
    North Central Texas, Zone 8a
    If you can, slice the stump down to as close to the ground as possible. Drill some long holes down into the roots and fill the holes with Stump Remover, there are several different brands at Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware and probably WalMart. It accelerates the decomposition of the wood and doesn't affect any plants or grass growing around the area.

    It may take a few weeks so if you are in a real hurry, you can rent a stump grinder and use that to take it out immediately or pretty much immediately.
     
  4. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    11,382
    Likes Received:
    13,391
    Location:
    Central Texas, zone 8
    I don't know how big your stump is around, but we removed some hackberries that were about 10" diameter. We drilled the holes as Toni said, and then filled them with a high nitrogen fertilizer. They rotted in 12 months, to the point that we could pull remaining chunks up with our hands.
    If the stump remover is cheaper, go with that. It sounds as if the results are about the same.
     
  5. cherylad

    cherylad Countess of Cute-ification Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    May 5, 2009
    Messages:
    11,679
    Likes Received:
    3,099
    Location:
    S. Liberty County - Texas (8B)
    Hubby swears that using buttermilk will speed up the process. I've never seen it used or heard of anyone else using it... so don't quote me on it. :D
    One day, I'm just going to have to try it.
     



    Advertisement
  6. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2010
    Messages:
    7,175
    Likes Received:
    3,016
    Location:
    Chelmsford MA
    I drilled holes in some old stumps and poured in a stump remover...that was a few years ago.....I know i did a half dozen stumps, Oak trees too, be darned if I can find any of them now.

    Jerry
     
  7. daisybeans

    daisybeans Hardy Maple

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Messages:
    3,695
    Likes Received:
    78
    Location:
    annapolis md
    Very good question. Very good answers. Good to know.
     
  8. stratsmom

    stratsmom Flower Fanatic

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2006
    Messages:
    4,086
    Likes Received:
    700
    Location:
    Southern Oregon
    Thank you everybody!!! :-D :-D :-D
     
  9. AAnightowl

    AAnightowl Young Pine

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2011
    Messages:
    1,948
    Likes Received:
    1,321
    Location:
    Missouri
    I have a black walnut stump I have been trying to get rid of. A friend told me to use drain cleaner to kill it, but it is not dead. I don't think my son poured enough of it down those holes he drilled. That tree is making a comeback, and it is too near my veggie garden. I wouldnt mind it gone much quicker than a year.
     
  10. Coppice

    Coppice In Flower

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2010
    Messages:
    453
    Likes Received:
    80
    Location:
    SE-OH USAian
    When all else fails cut the bottom out of a steel barrel and build a low fire in the barrel and on top of the stump. Discreetly check if you need a fire permit.

    You might not consume the entire stump, but roasting any stump is usually fatal.
     
  11. stratsmom

    stratsmom Flower Fanatic

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2006
    Messages:
    4,086
    Likes Received:
    700
    Location:
    Southern Oregon
    Today we will see just how rotten that old stump is :D My old dad and old husband are going to attempt to get it out before clean up day. Wish us luck ;)
     
  12. Danjensen

    Danjensen In Flower

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2009
    Messages:
    440
    Likes Received:
    114
    Location:
    England
    if your looking to get the stump up rather than wait for it to rot.


    I normally dig a ditch about a foot away from the main trunk further if its a big one and dig down. chopping the roots as i go either with clipers, axe or chainsaw.

    keep digging and cutting all the way round if its a big tree you might have to go deep 2-3ft.at that depth you should then be able to start cutting below the main stump to take out the vertical roots.

    To lift the stump i try and use a solid crowbar or something big and metal,

    good luck they can be a pain to get up
     
  13. stratsmom

    stratsmom Flower Fanatic

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2006
    Messages:
    4,086
    Likes Received:
    700
    Location:
    Southern Oregon
    Well the fellas did it! They are both pretty tuckered out :D The edges were quite rotten so they were easy but the heart was solid pitch :-? they dug and cut and winched and....
     
  14. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2011
    Messages:
    9,332
    Likes Received:
    4,855
    Here is a story of my father in law removing a stump for a farmer in the area, they weren't able to get the stump out with a bulldozer soooo... they used dynamite and fertilizer... not one bag mind you, but two bags.... you get the picture...the stump went very,very high.. and when it came down it went very, very deep back into the ground. My husband was helping his dad do this when he was maybe 10 (if his mom had been there she probably would have expired right on the spot) and he just about rolls on the floor laughing retelling this story.
    I didn't have any real input to help, but this is a pretty funny story, after the fact.
     
    stratsmom, cherylad and AAnightowl like this.
  15. AAnightowl

    AAnightowl Young Pine

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2011
    Messages:
    1,948
    Likes Received:
    1,321
    Location:
    Missouri
    I have heard of using dynamite on stumps, but think I will pass on that idea. Digging down 3 feet is beyond my physical abilities. I might drill some more holes in the stump and light a small fire in it. ? :rolleyes: As long as it is not windy or too dry, it is okay as I am out in the country.
     
  16. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2011
    Messages:
    9,332
    Likes Received:
    4,855
    We also have b. walnut stump in the back, but it was a hollow tree when we cut it down. I saw my father in law burning it, just yesterday. My thought are.. go ahead and burn it if you don't have any zoning issues and aren't close to anything. Make a rock ring around it if neccesary and keep piling on all the junk that fell off your trees during the winter and keep it going. I think though that burning out a healthy (as in solid) stump, if it has some size to it, is a long process. it might take several fires to finish the job.
    Don't plan on putting soil on the spot and making a flower bed, either. Most likely the chemical produced by the walnut tree will kill any plants growing in that spot. The tree is/was a heavy feeder and does not like any competition for the nutrients. The chemical(juglone) stays in the soil for many years, killing any new growth of many plants.
     
    stratsmom likes this.

Share This Page