If you have an annoying tree stump in your yard, you have many options available to you. Here we are covering the best ones. The worst thing you could do is ignore the problem. Tree stumps can rot and attract pests that can pose a threat to the health and safety of your family. If you have kids who love to run around the yard, these stumps can become tripping hazards that can cause injuries. Also, stumps distract from the beauty and aesthetic of your home.
For these reasons, you would not want to keep those stumps around. This final stage of tree care really depends on how quickly you want the stump removed, and how much work you are willing to put into it.
To remove a stump manually, you need to prepare a few tools including a digging bar, a bow saw, an ax, and a mattock. Of course, you also shouldn’t forget to wear safety gear such as work gloves and steel toe boots when working on this type of project. Tree stump removal may take around three to 12 hours to complete, depending on your level of experience.
Manually removing a stump is labor-intensive, and is best used on small to medium-sized tree trunks. If your stump is larger, you will probably need a stump grinder, which we will discuss later.
The first step is to use the broad end of the mattock to dig around the stump and loosen the dirt. Then, remove the loosened dirt with a shovel so that you see the roots of the tree. Using your mattock, sever the tree roots from the tree trunk.
You can then continue digging and chopping the roots until you reach the taproot. Clear an area around the taproot. Using an ax or bow saw, cut through the taproot. Once you’ve cut through the taproot, you can wiggle the tree stump around and then pull it out of the topsoil. This entire process may take hours, but when it’s over, your tree stump will be gone.
For larger stumps, it may be significantly more challenging without a stump grinder, so be sure to rent one. You should definitely rent a stump grinder if there are multiple tree stumps to be removed. Generally, the cost is between $100 to $200 to rent a stump grinder. You will still need a few extra tools including a shovel, a mattock, a rake, and a chainsaw.
Take note that stump grinders are large machines that can weigh around 1,000 pounds. Before you rent one, make sure you have a vehicle that can transport it to and from your home. Or make sure that the rental company can deliver it and take it away.
Lower it about 3 inches and move it from side to side using its lever. Grind the stump down about 4 inches using the grinder wheel and repeat until the entire perimeter of the stump is 4 inches below the ground.
Fill the hole with the wood chips which are the remnants of your stump, then cover it with topsoil and/or grass. This home improvement process is necessary but time-consuming. You will spend a lot of resources and energy on it, especially if you don’t have the experience.
It is always a good idea to hire a professional tree removal company such as Joel’s Pro Tree Service because it will let you save a lot of money, energy, and time. These experienced arborists can get the job done in no time because they have the skills and the tools needed to remove those stumps properly.
Call Joel’s Pro Tree Service today for a free estimate.