Removing a tree stump can be backbreaking, time-consuming work because it’s not just the stump; you also have to deal with the extensive root system that anchors the stump to the soil below the surface.
Fortunately, you have choices. If you have time, chemical stump removers gradually decompose the wood over months, while mechanical grinding provides immediate results. Manual digging works for smaller stumps, and controlled burning is possible where permitted by local regulations.
In this guide, I’ll show you the main methods to kill a tree stump, each method’s cost in terms of time, money, and effort, and the tools you’ll need to get it done.
| Method | Cost | Time required | Difficulty | Effectiveness |
| Epsom salts | $23 | 6 weeks – 6 months | Easy | Low-Moderate |
| Rock salt | Low | 1 – 3 months | Easy | Moderate |
| Cover with tarp | Less than $20 | 6 months to 2 years or more | Easy | High |
| Controlled burn | Low | Hours | Moderate | High |
| Chemical herbicide | Around $30 | Days or weeks | Easy | High |
| Manual removal | Free | 4-8 hours | Hard | High |
| Stump grinding | High | 1 hour | Moderate | High |
| Caution: All these methods require some level of digging. Before you remove the stump, call 811 to mark the location of underground utilities like power, gas, and water lines so you don’t accidentally hit them. |
Use Epsom salts
The magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt can draw moisture out of the stump and kill it. It’s safe for the environment, but it can take three months or more for the stump to die completely, and even that isn’t a certainty.
“Applying Epsom salts or other stump-degrading products to the stump after cutting may degrade a small portion of the stump, but will not affect the remaining roots,” said Gino Graziano, invasive plants instructor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension.
What you’ll need
- Epsom salt with no added ingredients
- Drill with a ½-inch drill bit
- Opaque, waterproof tarp
- Heavy rope
- Shovel
- Safety glasses and steel-toe boots
Drill holes
Drill multiple holes across the surface of the stump about 3 inches apart. Each hole should be ½-inch wide and at least 8 inches deep.
Fill the holes
Fill each hole about three-quarters full with Epsom salt. Pour a small amount of water into the remaining space in the hole to moisten the salt so it soaks into the stump.
Cover the stump
Cover the stump with an opaque, waterproof tarp to block sunlight and rain. Tie a heavy rope around the stump and place heavy rocks on the corners to secure the tarp. Check the stump once in a while to monitor progress. It should automatically die in a few months.
Remove the stump
Once the stump has died, it’ll feel soft and crumbly to the touch. Use a shovel to dig the soil around the stump and pull it out with a rope. Remove the root ball and any remaining roots. Fill the hole with soil.
Use rock salt
Rock salt works like Epsom salt by dehydrating the stump, but it poses a greater risk to the surrounding soil.
What you’ll need
- Rock salt
- Drill
- Water
- Soil
- Mulch
How to
Follow the same procedures as with Epsom salts. Cut the stump as low to the ground as you can, then drill holes into the stump a few inches apart all across the top. Pack the holes with rock salt, cover the stump with soil and mulch to hold the salt in place and block sunlight, then water the area to dissolve the salt and help it seep into the wood.
Cover with a tarp
Covering the stump with an opaque, waterproof tarp is the simplest and most eco-friendly way to remove it from your yard. It kills the stump by depriving it of sunlight and water. However, it can take a year or even longer for the stump to die completely.
What you’ll need
- Opaque, waterproof tarp
- Heavy rope
- Hand pruners
- Mattock
- Shovel
Cover the stump
Place the tarp over the stump. Secure it by tying a heavy rope tightly around the stump and placing heavy rocks on the corners to hold it in place.
Monitor the stump
It can take six months or even longer for the stump to die. Remove the tarp once a month to check the progress. If any saplings sprout from the base of the stump, cut them off with hand pruners.
Remove the tarp
After six months, check if the stump feels soft and crumbly to the touch. If it does, the stump is dead. You can let it decay naturally, but that can take seven to 10 years or even longer. The quicker option is to dig it out with a mattock and shovel.
Burn it
Burning a stump is only permitted in certain areas. Check with your local government and fire department to confirm whether it’s legal in your area and if you need a permit.
If it’s permitted, examine the area around the stump and make sure there are no plants, trees, or anything flammable within 20 feet. Keep a fire extinguisher and garden hose nearby in case of mishaps.
Burning can kill the stump within a day, but never leave it unattended.
What you’ll need
- 1 quart of kerosene
- Charcoal
- Drill with a ½-inch drill bit
- Long match
- Mattock
- Shovel
- Safety glasses, respirator, and steel-toe boots
Clear the ground
Rake away leaves, sticks, and other debris around the stem. Inspect the area, and if there’s anything flammable within a 20-foot radius, get rid of it.
Drill holes
Drill holes across the surface of the stump. Each hole should be ½-inch wide and at least 8 inches deep. The deeper the holes, the easier it will be for the fire to break down the stump.
Pour kerosene into the holes
Pour kerosene into all the holes and over the surface of the stump. The stump should be fully saturated so the fire doesn’t go off before reaching the roots. You’ll need 1 to 2 quarts of kerosene, depending on the size of the stump.
Before moving on to the next step, wash your hands thoroughly and change your clothes if any kerosene has spilled on them.
Light the stump
Pile charcoal on top of the stump and ignite it with a long match. Keep your face as far as possible while lighting. Monitor the stump as it burns.
Remove the roots
Once the fire is completely out and the stump has burned down, remove the ashes with a shovel. You can dispose of them in your regular garbage bin. Use a mattock to dig out any remaining roots.
Fill the hole
Use a shovel to add fresh soil to the hole. Keep adding until it’s level with the rest of the ground.
Use herbicide
A herbicide containing triclopyr or glyphosate can kill a stump within a few months, but it can also harm the roots of surrounding trees or plants. If you have any vegetation within a 20-foot radius, I recommend sticking with other methods.
What you’ll need
- Herbicide containing triclopyr or glyphosate
- Drill with a ½-inch drill bit
- Foam paint brush
- Shovel
- Heavy rope
Drill holes
Drill multiple holes across the surface of the stump, spacing them about 3 inches apart. Each hole should be ½-inch wide and at least 5 inches deep.
If you have just cut down the tree, you don’t need to drill holes. You can apply the herbicide over the fresh cuts with a foam paint brush. The liquid will work its way down to the roots through the wounds.
Apply the herbicide
You can pour the herbicide directly into the holes, but a safer and more effective approach would be to dip a foam paint brush into the liquid and apply it across the surface of the stump. The stump will absorb the herbicide and die within a few days.
Remove the stump
Check the stump after a week. If it feels soft or crumbly to the touch, it’s dead. Dig around the stump with a shovel and use a heavy rope to pull it out. Remove any remaining roots, and then fill the hole with soil.
Dig out the stump manually
If your stump is smaller than 13 inches in diameter, you can dig it out, but it is hard work. Expect to spend around 4-8 hours digging and chopping.
What you’ll need
- Chainsaw
- Mattock
- Hand saw
- Heavy rope
- Shovel
- Safety glasses and steel-toe boots for protection
Cut the stump
Cut the stump as low as possible with a chainsaw, and then use a mattock to loosen the soil around the stump. Stop digging once the roots are exposed.
Cut the roots
Chop through the roots with a hand saw. Keep digging around the stump to loosen the soil further. Try pushing the stump to one side to create more working space.
Chop the taproot
Once the taproot is exposed, sever it with the sharp edge of the mattock.
Remove the stump
Remove the stump and its root ball from the ground. If it’s a large stump, you can use a heavy rope to pull it out. If that doesn’t work, I recommend tying a rope to your vehicle and accelerating slowly to remove the stump.
Once the stump and roots are out, use a shovel to fill the hole with soil.
Grind the stump
Grinding is the quickest way to remove a tree stump. You can rent a stump grinder from your local home improvement store for around $200 per day, but you can’t fit a tool this size in the back of your car. You either need a truck or an express van to transport it.
What you’ll need
- Stump grinder
- Chainsaw
- Shovel
Always wear safety gear when handling a heavy-duty tool like a stump grinder.
- Goggles
- Dust mask
- Ear protection
- Long sleeves and pants
- Shovel
- Steel-toe boots
Cut the stump to size
If the stump is taller than 15 inches from the ground, cut it down with a chainsaw so you can roll the machine over it. Remove small branches with a chainsaw and clear away debris with a shovel.
Grind
Position the grinder over the stump and turn it on. Lower the grinder and move it back and forth slowly, as per the manufacturer’s instructions until you reduce the stump to ground level. If there are any remaining roots, cut them with a chainsaw.
Keep children and pets far away, as the grinder sends flying rocks and wood chips flying.
Fill the hole
Shovel out the wood grindings and fill the hole with soil. You can repurpose the shavings as mulch.
FAQs
The stump won’t regrow per se, but, yes, you may see new growth sprout up from the roots below the surface. Remove the stump and as many roots as possible to prevent it from growing back.
Yes, it’s completely normal. As the roots decay, they leave behind empty spaces that cause sinking. You can add soil over the hole to level the ground, but it can take several months for the area to fully stabilize.
When to hire a professional
Removing a stump from your lawn is a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle, contact us. Our yard cleanup pros can get rid of the stump quickly, effectively, and at prices you can love.
Main Photo Credit: Virynja / Adobe Stock
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