Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Digging out the stump
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities
• Digging out the stump
• Chop the stump into pieces
• Burn the stump
• Chemically remove the stump

If you've recently cut down a tree in your garden, you can remove the ugly stump that remains in several ways. You can dig, chop, burn, or remove the stump by hand with a chemical. Choose the method that works best for removing the root system you are dealing with.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Digging out the stump

1. Dig up the roots. Dig into the soil next to the stump with a shovel to expose the roots underneath. Work around the stump and keep digging until you've dug up all of the largest roots around the tree. Dig deep into the soil on both sides of the roots to expose them as much as possible.
   • It may be a good idea to use a different method of removing the roots if they appear to be very large and stick very deep into the soil, making it difficult for you to expose them completely. The digging method works best if you can expose the roots almost to the ends.
2. Rent a stump grinder. This is a machine that grinds away tree trunks and the associated root system to a depth of about 30 centimeters. You can rent a stump cutter per day or per week at a hardware store. If you'd rather not operate the machine yourself, you can hire someone who will come to your house with a stump cutter and do the job for you.
   • Wear gloves, safety glasses and ear protection if you are going to operate the machine yourself.
3. See if it is illegal to burn the stump. There may be rules in your municipality or province for lighting a fire in the garden, especially when the weather is dry. Before you start, call the municipality to make sure you can burn the stump.
4. Keep pets and children away from the stump. It can harm pets and children if they ingest it, so keep them away from the stump.
5. Remove the ashes and put clay in the hole. Afterwards dig up the ashes and dispose of the ashes. Fill the hole with clay or other filler material, such as sawdust. After removing the stump, keep adding new material every few months until the soil remains flat.

Tips

• Let someone help you and don't rush.
• Try to cut, saw, or chop as many roots as possible before trying to get the stump out of the ground.
• Plan each step carefully.
• Think ahead of time about what could go wrong.
• If you leave a very large portion of stump, you can tie a rope around the top part so that you get some sort of leverage by pulling the rope. Make a rocking motion to loosen the stump.
• Make sure your tools are sharp and in good condition.
• If you can't manage it in any way, call a professional.
• If this doesn't work, cut down the tree close to the bottom portion above the stump and burn the stump.

Warnings

• Wear gloves.
• Wear eye protection.
• Do not work if you are very tired.
• Drink plenty of water when working in hot weather.
• Be careful when using sharp tools such as an ax and chainsaw.

Necessities

Digging out the stump

• Eye protection
• Gloves
• Branch or secateurs
• Chainsaw (optional)
• Rooihak
• Shovel
• Clay or sawdust

Chop the stump into pieces

• Eye protection, safety glasses and earplugs
• Gloves
• Stump grinder
• Shovel
• Clay or sawdust

Burn the stump

• Wood / fuel for starting a fire
• Shovel
• Clay or sawdust

Chemically remove the stump

• Chemical agent for removing tree stumps
• Ax (optional)
• Shovel
• Clay or sawdust