Removing a Tree Stump – Methods and Advic

A tree was felled in your garden, which perhaps grew too much and was no longer stable enough, and now only a tree stump is left behind? If you don't want to let it grow with ivy and decorate it with a flower bowl, you will certainly want to remove the tree root. But what methods of tree stump removal are there and what do you need to take into account? Find out more in the following blog post.

What methods of tree stump removal are there?

If you have decided to remove the tree stump because it only serves as a tripping hazard, you have several options to go about it. What you decide to do depends on the following factors:

• your time,

• the budget,

• your physical constitution and

• the urgency of removal.

But the size of the existing tree stump is also a decisive factor in whether you decide to dig up the tree roots , remove them with a tree cutter / stump cutter or take the particularly environmentally friendly option of letting them rot.

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What are the steps involved in tree stump removal?

Depending on the method chosen, there are different steps that must be taken when removing a tree stump.

Excavation:

Digging up tree stumps is one way to remove tree roots. To do this, the roots must first be exposed and then cut through with an axe or chainsaw. With deeper roots, such as those of a fir tree, this can take several hours and is a strenuous task. Thinner roots are cut through with a spade as soon as they are dug up. With this option, it is advisable to leave a 1.5 m high trunk standing , which you can use as a lever to push the tree trunk in different directions once all the roots have been cut off, and finally to lever out the tree stump.

Let it rot:

If you decide to leave a tree stump to nature and simply let it rot, you will have to expect it to take eight to ten years before it can be removed. There is a way to speed up natural decomposition by using a chainsaw to saw a checkerboard pattern as deep as possible into the surface of the wood. Beforehand, you should clear the surface of any soil so that the chain of your saw does not become blunt and need to be replaced. Then I saw the tree trunk crosswise. If you do not have a chainsaw or do not want to borrow one, you can also drill holes in the wood with a wood drill or a power drill. Compost with organic fertilizer and quick composter is then added to the holes or cracks. The microorganisms, small creatures and fungi contained in the compost ensure that the wood decomposes quickly. Every spring you should add a new organic complete fertilizer or compost accelerator.

All steps at a glance to speed up the decomposition process:

• Remove soil from tree stump, e.g. by sweeping and rinsing with water

• Sawing a checkerboard pattern into the wood surface with a chainsaw

• Or alternatively: drill into wood with a wood drill

• Mix compost with organic fertilizer and quick composter

• Fill holes and gaps with this mass

• Next spring, refill the fertilizer mixture

Tree stump milling:

The tree cutter, or stump cutter, is particularly effective thanks to its hard metal teeth and removes the upper part of the tree stump as well as flat root shoots layer by layer when you drive the device over the tree stump. The tree cutter can remove 10 to 15 cm in just a few minutes. The exposed hole in the ground is then filled with soil again and the rest rots in the ground.

How long does it take to remove a tree stump?

How long it takes to uproot a tree and remove a tree stump depends on the technique you choose. If you let the tree stump rot, you can expect it to take several years - if it is left untreated, it will take around 8 to 10 years . If your tree stump is very wide and thick, it can take even longer and then you can use the appropriate technique, i.e. a stump grinder or tree grinder. This will remove the tree stump in just a few minutes . Depending on the type of root (shallow root or deep root), it will take several hours to dig it out.

What can be done with the tree stump afterwards?

Once you have removed the entire stump with the tree roots, you can use it for garden design or as deadwood for bees and other insects, for example by drilling small holes into it. You don't have to remove the tree stump for this, however; it serves as a natural habitat even when buried.

If you want to remove the tree stump completely, you can also use it as firewood . To do this, you should use a petrol log splitter , a power log splitter or a PTO-driven log splitter to process the wood into small, manageable pieces of wood that can then be dried. A firewood saw is also perfect for this. However, if you have no use for the wood, you can also dispose of the tree stump.

So you can use the rootstock for the following:

• decorative object for flower pots or bird baths

• insect hotel

• firewood

Removing the rootstock: Where can I dispose of the tree root?

Tree trunks and stumps, roots and branches with a diameter of more than 15 cm must not be disposed of in green waste or taken to a recycling center . Instead, composting plants are suitable for accepting tree roots or a container service that takes care of collection.

What is the best way to transport the tree root?

If you have a front loader because you work with wood in a commercial setting or in agriculture, you can easily pick up and transport a massive tree root with a log grabber . If you are more of a hobby gardener, it is advisable to chop the wood into manageable pieces with a standing log splitter or a log splitter before transporting it. This makes it easier to load the pieces onto a trailer and take them to their desired destination.

FAQ- Everything you need to know about tree stump removal

Can I remove the tree stump without digging it up?

Yes, as mentioned above, you can also let the tree stump rot or use a tree grinder to remove it. By grinding the tree root, you save yourself the strenuous task of digging out the tree stump and can instead remove the tree stump with a device.

How much does tree stump removal cost?

The cost of tree stump removal depends on the option you choose. If you remove the tree stump by hand, this process is free of charge , unless you don't have the right tools such as a spade, chainsaw or axe. If you decide to let the tree stump rot, the only costs to remove the tree roots are for the fertilizer, which you may have to buy, unless you need to buy a chainsaw to remove the tree stump. If you have to rent a stump grinder, you should expect to pay between 90 and 150 euros per day for tree stump grinding.

Where can I find stump grinders?

Originally, tree cutters/stump cutters and wood splitters were forestry equipment that was mainly used commercially. There are now smaller, more manageable devices on the market that can also be used by allotment gardeners. You can rent these from a construction equipment rental company near you.

Killing a tree stump with vinegar - is that possible?

In principle, it is possible to kill the tree stump with vinegar, but it is slow and not a reliable method. The vinegar causes the pH of the soil to drop , thus inhibiting the growth of plants . If you put the vinegar directly on the tree stump, the roots will slowly die and the trunk will rot. However, you should be aware that the pH of the surrounding soil can also change, so you may not only kill the tree root, but also affect the growth of other plants.

Removing tree stumps with salt – also an option?

Removing a tree stump with salt is also an option, as the salt will dry out the stump and kill the roots if it gets into the root area. Once it is dry and rotten, the stump can be removed more easily. The disadvantage of this method with salt, as with vinegar, is that the surrounding vegetation and soil can also be damaged, and future plants will suffer.

Can I remove a tree stump with chemicals?

In specialist shops or hardware stores, you will also come across chemical agents such as root killers that are designed to kill the tree stump . This causes the tree stump to die and rot more quickly, making it easier to lift it out of the ground. As with any chemical agent, however, you should strictly follow the application instructions, as these are harmful to humans and can have dangerous effects if inhaled, for example. Children and animals should stay away from the tree stump after use.

Can I burn out the tree stump?

A more common tip is to simply burn the tree stump, e.g. with a fuel paste, petrol or petroleum. This method of burning is not only dangerous , but also not recommended, as a layer of charcoal forms around the wood when it is burned. This protects the tree stump additionally and delays rotting.