Written by Lorry and published on http://eblogin.com/.
A tree stump can be removed at any time after the tree is felled, but manual removal is sometimes easier if the stump has aged and dried out somewhat.1 If you have the ability to let the stump remain in place for a full year or even two, the dried wood may be easier to cut out than when working on a new stump that is still green. Chemical removal, however, should begin immediately after you remove the tree.After you hire a commercial service to remove a tree, they can also remove the remaining stumps for an extra fee. Or, you can hire a different company to come in and do this work. But if you have felled the tree yourself, the task of removing the stump is left up to you—and it can be as difficult as removing the tree itself. You can hire a firm to come in with a large mechanical grinder to churn the stump into sawdust, but this can be expensive.
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3 Steps to Remove Tree Stumps
A majority of homeowners have tree stumps in their backyard that are dated years ever since they fell their trees. This is probably because removing a stump is not easy as compared to cutting down a tree. However, stump removal is something that you can easily do. There are various methods and techniques you can apply depending on the size of the stump and the availability of resources. Here are several ways you can use and the steps involved.
Stump Removal Using Manual Method
This process is suitable for removing small or medium sized stumps. You will require a heavy steel bar to chop the roots, a bow saw for cutting roots unreachable with the mattock, an ax, gloves, and steel-toed boots to enhance safety. With these tools, you can follow the steps below on how to remove a stump manually:
- Excavate around the stump using the mattocks wide end.
- Once you have loosened the soil, remove it with a shovel, and ensure you gain access to the roots for cutting.
- Using the other end of the mattock, chop the roots.
- Dig while chopping the roots until you access the taproot. Clear any dirt around the taproot to give a clear view, and start cutting it with your ax or a large bow saw.
- Ensure when cutting the taproot with an ax that there is no pets, people, or other objects that may injure once you start swinging the ax.
- Remove the cut stump and flatten the ground for other meaningful use.
Chemical Method to Remove Stump
This technique can be used to hasten the natural processes of stump removal without much effort. The natural process of stump decay is slow, and therefore, you will require incorporating nitrogen and water, which are unnatural quantities to speed up the rooting process. Here are steps on how to go about it:
- Cut the stump close to the surface using a chainsaw without striking the soil with the teeth of the saw as that would dull the chain.
- Drill numerous holes in the stump using your thickest drill bit. Ensure the holes are deeper and wider for efficient results.
- Fill the holes with water, and then, add a fertilizer high in nitrogen. You can opt to use cow manure as a source of nitrogen. If you are using commercial fertilizer, ensure you apply one with the highest nitrogen content.
- Soak the surface around the stump and cover the stump with a plastic sheet. The cover will help to retain moisture in and around the stump, which will help in the chemical reaction to speed up the rooting process.
- Apply organic mulch such as hay over the plastic sheet, and water it thoroughly. The wet mulch will help retain water, and its heavy-weight will weigh the plastic sheet down for it not to be blown away.
- Keep repeating the process of removing the sheet and adding mulch now and then to speed up the completion of the project.
Grinding the Stump
The machine grinds the stump and its roots up to a depth of a foot. You can rent the device for you to operate it or engage someone with the know-how to run it. Below are steps to use:
- Wear protective gear and position the device on the stump and start grinding.
- Shovel out the grindings and dispose of it
- Fill the hole with load, sawdust, or any other organic matter
Burning the Stump
Find out from your local fire department if there are any restrictions on an open fire, especially if you live in drought conditions. If no limitations, then you can use the following steps to remove your stump:
- Make a wood fire on top of the stump and around to ensure the stump is at the center of the fire.
- Keep adding more wood for the fire to continue until the stump is thoroughly burnt to ashes.
- Shovel out the ash and replace with loam or sawdust.
With the above techniques and steps, you no longer have to keep that unnecessary stump in your yard. Remove it and utilize the space in a useful way.
Original post here http://eblogin.com/3-steps-remove-tree-stumps/.
