Gardening and Landscaping Stack Exchange
Gardening and Landscaping Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [stump-removal]

For questions about tree stump removal

Sometimes trees have to be removed (e.g. due to structural damage or disease). After a tree has been cut down, a 'stump' is usually left. This consists of the roots the very bottom of the trunk (typically less than a foot of the trunk).

Stumps and their related root systems take up space, and it is usually desirable to remove them.

Stumps are typically dug out, shredded insitu using a stump grinder, burnt, or treated chemically. Chemical products are typically based on potassium nitrate (salt petre) and work by rapidly increasing the rate of decay. A stump so treated has typically rotted into manageable pieces in about 4-6 weeks. Potassium Nitrate followed a few weeks later with fire is also effective as the potassium nitrate acts as an oxidiser (some jurisdictions may control the distribution of larger quantities potassium nitrate).

Use this tag for all questions about removing the tree stumps. The tag can also be used for all woody stump removal even if they are not technically trees (eg. shrub stumps).

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How efficient are stump removal chemicals?

As a skeptic, I am generally wary of any claims that say something that is generally hard is made easy by a product. I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice if they have experience with various stump removing chemicals on the market (not…
Larian LeQuella
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Nothing will grow where tree was

Back in the spring we cut down a fruitless mulberry and hired someone to come grind the stump. When they were leaving they informed me that they poured a chemical into the hole where the remaining roots were to keep it finish killing the tree and…
Shane
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Should I burn out my tree stumps?

I'm looking for the best way to get rid of tree stumps. I have so many on my property that digging them out by hand is almost unreasonable, and I can't get a truck into the back to pull them out. I've looked at this question, and grinding would…
jdickson
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What should I do after a tree removal and stump grinding to prepare for grass?

I recently had a large tree removed and the company also did the stump grinding. They covered the hole with the mulch from the stump. My question is what should I do next considering I am wanting to eventually seed grass in this area? Should I…
r.m.
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How can I keep a bischofia tree from coming back after chopping it down?

I removed a large bischofia tree from my yard, which included grinding the large stump down. However I keep seeing sprouts from the tree around the area of the stump grinding and throughout the yard. Here are some photos of the sprouts. The…
Ryan Gates
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What will speed the decomposition of a tree stump?

I have two large oak tree stumps. Will drilling them and applying sugar decompose them? Because of their position, I cannot grind them out. Is there anything else that will speed the effects of decomposition, for example some type of acid, plain…
Thomas Martino
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How do I get ready for a stump grinding, and how long afterwards should I wait to replant?

The city has cut down my dead ash tree and are coming to remove the stump (I believe by grinding). They have advised me to "remove landscaping features" so they aren't destroyed in the process. How far out from the tree do I need to clear? How soon…
Marlene
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How to get rid of sprouts coming from a chinaberry stump?

I had a 30ft (9m) chinaberry (Melia azedarach) removed that the previous owner left for me, four months ago. It had multiple split trunks at the bottom that made every arborist that looked at it concerned, and it was positioned close to the front of…
dols
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How to remove a Pyracantha

I had a very large pyracantha growing at the corner of my house. It was probably about 10 feet in diameter and 15 feet tall. I eventually managed to cut it down to a few stumps, but I couldn't quite figure out how to get rid of it. The ground around…
Ryan Elkins
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How can I get rid of a bush, without digging into the ground?

I recently made my annual visit to my grandparents' graves. While there, I couldn't help but notice that the plant that my great-aunt had planted by my great-grandparents' grave was overgrown to the point of having moved the (insanely heavy) grave…
Shokhet
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Get rid of small silver maples along fence line and around pool area

I have a problem with silver maples growing along my fence line, the sides of the house, and around the pool. Along the house and the pool they are in a 2’ border of river rock. Along the fence they are in the grass. They are also popping up…
Joe Phillips
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Privet (?) stump removal

I am attempting to remove what I believe to be a small privet tree. It is planted in a raised bed and has been here for several years. I cut the main trunk off a couple of years ago, but it has since thrown up several new branches from the stump,…
greenback
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Remove rot from center of tree stump

I have a large tree stump that I am going to polyurethane to preserve. The center of it is rotted. I've dug out what I could of the rot with a shovel, drill, and vacuum. Looking for advice on what I can do to remove the rest of the rot. The size of…
joecap5
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Do I need to treat a Eucalyptus stump to prevent regrowth?

I've just had to cut down a Eucalyptus tree. Do I need to treat the stump that's left behind to stop any regrowth?
Dave
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Is there a DIY, easy way of getting rid of tree stumps?

In one edge of our garden, we had a few trees. They were getting big and pushing the fence, so we cut them down. I want to plant some shrubs ..etc in their place, but I currently have this: Here are some more: Is there an easy way of removing…
J86
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