You perused your landscape and have decided to make some improvements or changes that would enhance the overall appeal to you, your family and the public. In the process a tree or two have been given their \’pink slip\’ and now you have the stump(s) to contend with. Not a problem! You decide you will rent a stump grinder, only to find out how expensive the rental is. Next choice, ye olde manual labor-intensive stump removal. Wait! I have an alternate solution. A tree stump removal method that is cheap; however, will require some patience.

If you do not have any patience and want this \’stump\’ out of there then grab a landscape bar, a mattock will also work, shovel and lots of elbow grease.

First, you are going to dig a trench around the stump. This trench should be 3 to 4 ft from the stump and throw the dirt away from the stump to expose as many roots as possible.

Secondly, after you have dug around the stump as much as you can, start using the landscape bar to cut some of the roots around the perimeter of the stump. To effectively use the landscape bar just keep going around the stump, stick the bar into the soil, rock it back and forth slightly opening the trench. This also makes it easier to remove the bar. Continue this action around the entire stump.

Lift the bar out of the ground and then stab it back in, the weight of the bar creates enough momentum to cut any small to medium size roots. Maintain the bar angle such that eventually you will be able to get to the center of the stump from underneath with the tip of the landscape bar.

It may seem like you\’re not getting anywhere, but eventually you will see the stump start to move. Once it starts to move, its practically out. Just keep stabbing. Before you know it you will have cut all the roots around and under the stump and will be able to easily pull it from the ground.

The following method of stump removal is designed for us \’couch potatoes\’ who abhor manual labor. Rather we will assist Mother Nature by accelerating a natural process of stump decay.

First, using a chain saw, cut the stump down as close as possible to the ground without damaging your chainsaw.

Secondly, drill holes a few inches deep into the stump in various locations, using the widest drill bit you have. The wider and deeper the hole, the more effective the process will be.

Thirdly, fill the holes with water, add a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Cow manure is good for this. If you are using a commercial fertilizer make sure it is a 45-0-0, straight nitrogen.

Fourth, soak the ground around the stump. Next, cover the stump with a plastic tarp which acts as a barrier to help retain moisture in and around the stump. Moisture is your best friend for tree stump removal.

As a retired aerospace engineer I transferred my technical writing skills to informative articles encompassing my new hobby, gardening and landscaping. This transition coupled with expertise advise and guidance I received from the knowledgeable staff at http://www.tnnursery.net has been invaluable

As a retired aerospace engineer I transferred my technical writing skills to informative articles encompassing my new hobby, gardening and landscaping. This transition coupled with expertise advise and guidance I received from the knowledgeable staff at http://www.tnnursery.net has been invaluable

Author Bio: As a retired aerospace engineer I transferred my technical writing skills to informative articles encompassing my new hobby, gardening and landscaping. This transition coupled with expertise advise and guidance I received from the knowledgeable staff at http://www.tnnursery.net has been invaluable

Category: Gardening
Keywords: stump,stump grinder,whole nursery,mattock,spade,tree,how to