Of all the time-consuming tasks one is needed to accomplish at his home, gardening is the one that never ends.
Someone who is seriously into gardening would know the amount of hard work that is required to maintain a garden or a backyard. One of the most difficult tasks is tree stump removal from the yard. Click here to know the best tree stump ideas.
From watering the plants to mowing and weeding, every single task is required to be done to keep the garden clean and nice. Removing the trees that do not flower anymore or are damaged, also comes in the maintenance of a garden or yard.
Cutting down a tree is easy. However, tree stump removal after cutting down the tree is difficult and the main task that needs to be done.
Chemicals
Using chemicals for the process of tree stump removal is legit one of the simplest ways of doing the task. Though an effective way of removing tree stumps, this method needs patience and time to work with. It takes weeks to get the work done with chemical stump removers. Sometimes, it may even take up to a year to get the work done.
The Process
If you wish to get your tree stump removal done with chemicals, the first thing you will have to do is remove as much stump from above the ground as possible with a chainsaw. The more stump you will remove from the ground, the less time it will take for the chemicals to work.
For pouring the chemical inside the stump, you will have to drill holes in the remaining stump on the ground. You should try to go as deep and wide with these holes as you can. Before pouring in the chemical or putting the granules in, water is needed to be filled into the drilled holes.
Not only in the holes, but water is also needed on the ground around the tree stump and preferably needs to be covered with a tarp. It will help in retaining moisture and the chemical inside.
It is also recommended to cover the tarp area with organic mulch and needs to be watered regularly. More water and mulch can be added according to the requirement and progress of the process. After a few weeks, you will find that the tree stump has become spongy and soft.
This is quite easy process. However, if you do not notice any progress in the process then you can repeat it. You can also go on with other methods if you find no progress at all.
Burning Method
Another easy breezy method for tree stump removal is burning the stump. Burning the stump is legit one of the easiest and fastest methods. However, you need to take necessary precautions while working in this method. Also, you need to make sure that it is safe in your neighborhood to perform activities like burning.
Now, you must be wondering how to burn the tree stump? Well, there are numerous ways of doing this task. Although, some materials are particularly preferred for this task. You would need a tree stump removal product, fuel or kerosene oil and a power drill in this method.
The Process
The first thing you need to do here is drill holes through the tree stump. In the holes, you will have to pour or fill in the stump removal product. This will help in making the wood porous.
After the stump removal product, you will have to pour in the fuel you are using to burn the stump. Make sure that you do not burn the stump instantly. The kerosene oil or fuel that is poured inside needs to be left for some time. This will ensure that the fuel has been absorbed into the deepest pores of the wood. The deeper the kerosene goes, the more efficiently it would get burnt.
The final step is to ignite the tree stump once you feel that the fuel has been absorbed. Once the tree stump starts burning, you must do nothing. At last, you can pour topsoil at that place to make sure the fire has completely vanished.
This process only needs serious precautions and safety measures. Once you feel that you are ready to take off with the burning method, you will see the plain ground in no time.
Use A Stump Grinder
Stump Grinders are tools especially made for the process of stump removal. A stump grinder chews and removes the leftover stump wood after cutting down a tree. Stump grinders come with powerful rotating blades which chip off the wood as the tool goes in. The person operating on the tool guides the blades through the whole visible stump. Also, it goes inside the ground to a considerable extent to remove the stump from under the ground.
The time it takes to remove a stump with a stump grinder completely depends on the stump. The size and the location of a stump decide the time of removal. The time varies from 15 minutes to 2 hours.
Using stump grinders for stump removal proves to be an easy and nice idea for trees with medium size of stumps. However, if you have an old or huge tree, the method may not work so well. Stumps of old and big trees are often not completely removed by stump grinder because of their roots which may still stay spread out underground.
The Process
Stump grinders come in varying sizes from a grinder of a lawn mower’s size to a grinder as big as a truck. So, the first thing you would need to do is choose the right grinder according to your requirement. Stump grinding machines are easily available in the market for rental purposes with operators who will do the job for you.
Now, the location of the stump needs to be clean for better usage of the stump grinder. You will have to clean all the dirt, debris, and rocks from the tree stump. You can use an ax or a shovel for this. Before using the stump grinder, you are required to make sure that most of the possible stump has been removed already. Then, using a chainsaw, you can remove all the possible stumps away for better grinder use.
Though an operator is sent with the machine for safe usage, if you do not get one, this means that the job is on you. If this becomes the case, then make sure that you turn on the stump grinder by putting the grinder’s wheel a few inches above the stump. Once the machine turns on, you can slowly start operating it on the stump by moving it from side to side with its lever.
This way, the stump grinder can be used efficiently for stump removal. The chips obtained by grinding the stump can be used as mulch for other plants. Moreover, it is recommended to get an operator hired for such heavy machinery use.
Manual Method
When you have a medium-sized or a small tree stump, then removing it manually can be the best option. Though a little time-consuming and demands hard work, this method lets you make sure that the job is done efficiently according to your needs.
The Process
As you are the one working on the tree stump removal, you will have to make sure that you have all the required tools. Before executing the process, it is better to plan it out.
The first thing to do is to loosen up the roots so that the stump gets removed easily. For this, you will have to dig around the stump with the help of a mattock. The broader side of the mattock will efficiently work for this.
Now, the loose dirt needs to be removed so that you can see the roots. Use a shovel to remove the dirt. When you can see the roots, sever them from your tree trunk. You can use a standard gardening tool for this, like a mattock or a bow.
Continue digging and chopping till the time you reach the taproot. Once you reach there, you must clear the area around it. The last step is to cut through the taproot you have found. You can use an axe or bow saw for this. After cutting through the taproot, you can remove the whole stump through the topsoil.
This process is time-consuming for sure, but it will remove the stump altogether. While working on the tree stump removal, make sure to wear safety gear and take precautions. The best thing about this method is that it gives flexibility. When you want to work, how much time you wish to work depends on you. But, at last, this method provides excellent results if done correctly.
Hire the Pros
If you do not want to wait for a long time or do not want chemicals to get in your soil, you can go with the most straightforward option out there- Hire the professionals. Now, there are precisely no professional tree stump removers available. There are just some people who do tree stump removal and other gardening projects to earn a living.
If you plan on this method for tree stump removal, there is very little that you will have to do. However, you must hire someone, and they will do the rest of the work. Since you are not required to do any work, it costs quite a few bucks. Although, the money you pay would be worth it all. The best stump removal professionals offer the best value for your money – for example, if you hire San Bernardino tree expert for stump removal, the team will remove the entire tree stump together with the roots and then clean up the area.
If you are getting your tree removed by someone or some company, you can also ask the same company to remove the stump. Of course, they would charge extra money, but your work will be done in no time. Moreover, they may even negotiate with you because you are already working with them in the monetary matter.
However, hiring a new party for tree stump removal will cost you from $50 to $350. The money they charge would depend on the number of stumps you are willing to get removed. Also, factors like the stump’s size, location, and the kind of stump will affect the charges.
Hiring someone for tree stump removal is an excellent idea if you do not want to do the hard work yourself. Moreover, if you analyze other methods like burning the place, using chemicals, or renting a heavy tool, hiring is a better option. The only thing you will have to do is pay a little more for this method.
Which Method Should You Choose?
After going through all these tree stump removal methods, you have probably understood the requirements and limitations of these methods. Though these methods need some time and precautions, they work great and give excellent results if done correctly.
However, before making the final decision, you need to note the kind of tree stump you want to remove from your yard. Also, the amount of time you would give for tree stump removal will affect your decision.
Moreover, no matter which tree stump removal method you choose for your garden, it should support your convenience. Tree stump removal is an important task and should be done within time by proper procedures. So, whichever way you choose, it should be selected and executed within time.
