Stump Removal Techniques

Trees are a pleasure, so when one decides to remove and discard them, one generally has pretty good reasons to do so. In most cases, either the tree that has to be removed is an obstacle either in the landscaping or architectural designs, or has gotten infected or has died. Whatever may the reason, it is best to know all about different stump removal techniques, to ensure that you can get the whole thing done properly, without taxing yourself too much.

Stump Removal Ideas

Stump Removal by Trenching
Trenching is the most common way of removing a stump, but at the same time it is hard as well as tedious work. This stump removal technique will work mostly on smaller stumps, whose roots haven't penetrated deep in the soil. Start by trenching all around the stump, scrape out as much as mud possible with a shovel. It would be best if you have a couple of sturdy branches left on the stump, this will help you shake and pull up the stump. As you keep digging around the stump, keep cutting and pulling out the roots. This will loosen up the stump quickly. Towards the end, push the shovel under the stump from edges and try to push it up. Continue doing this until the stump is ready to be pulled out completely.

Stump Removal Equipment
The grinder is the most used, common stump removal garden tool, used especially if one wants to avoid strenuous labor and get the work done quickly. Basically, a stump grinder chips the stump down to below the surface of the ground. It has a sharp spinning blade fitted with carbide tipped teeth that chips, scrapes and cuts right into the stump. They are very effective for stumps that are cornered by walls, driveways or buildings close to them. A word of caution, the stump grinder has very sharp spinning blades, even the small hand-held ones, so be careful, as they tend to vibrate and jerk when they come in contact with the stump. Make sure, while grinding you include a fencing around the stump to control flying debris.

Stump Removal by Burning
This is the oldest stump removal method, though not very result oriented, when it comes to large and deep rooted stumps. Here the stump has to be dry, else one can use petroleum based accelerants or charcoal briquettes to speed up the burning process. A drier stump will make it easy for oxygen penetration, which is essential to keep the ignition on. While using this technique, make sure that you wait for the fire to get extinguished, and the fire has very minimal opportunity to spread to the surrounding areas. Once the stump has got burned out, use a shovel to loosen the charred stump off the ground.

Stump Removal Chemicals
For those who want to go the chemical way, you should know that no chemical will uproot the stump for you, just make it easier to uproot it. Substances like potassium nitrate are infused in the stumps, accelerating decomposition and decay. Potassium nitrate contains certain alkalies or sulfating agents, that break down wood cell walls. Care should be taken while using any chemical formulations. One must stick to the quantity and its dilution, excess will not only damage the stump but the soil beneath and surrounding areas, by interfering into the soil's basic pH balance. Read more on:

• Tree Stump Removal - How to Remove a Tree Stump
  
• How to Kill a Tree Stump - How to Get Rid of Tree Stumps
  

Another of the tree stump removal techniques is allowing the stump to naturally decompose, but this takes several years, and is rarely used. Once you have successfully, removed the stump, it is time to add layers of soil in the depression created. Give the soil some time to settle in, and then go ahead and plant what you want.