What's the best way to get rid of a tree stump?

What's the best way to get rid of a tree stump?

You’ve had a tree removed, and now there’s a stump to deal with. You trip on it, it’s annoying to mow around, you want to put a shed there, or it’s just unsightly. Depending on the species, there’s also the possibility of it sprouting back and becoming harder to deal with. Of course, letting nature take its course is always an option, but you’ll be waiting many years (or even decades) before the stump disappears. Here are a few options that will give you better results BEFORE 2060.

Grind it

Grinding a stump is the fastest (and surest) way to get rid of it. It won’t sprout back, you won’t trip over it, it’ll be gone forever. Generally, you’ll be left with a small pile of wood chips where the stump used to be. Over the course of a few weeks to a few months, that pile will settle into the ground. (Or it can be removed manually.) Once the ground is relatively level, a new layer of top soil and some grass seed will make you forget there was ever a tree there. Stump grinding services will typically start between $4 and $8 per inch of stump diameter. Your 12-inch Bradford pear stump may cost as little as $48, while your 5-foot red oak stump may cost $480.

Burn it

Burning a stump will also get rid of it forever, but the process takes time (and some tools and a little bit of elbow grease.) Basically, you’ll drill several large, deep holes into the stump, fill those holes with a special product designed to accelerate the decomposition process (Stump-Out,) then soak the stump with water. Leave it alone for a few weeks, then douse it in kerosene, light it on fire, and let it smoulder. (Tip: bring a camping chair and a book. This part can take a while.) Use an axe to break the pieces apart, put them in your yard waste bin, and haul them away. Burning is a good option for those who are looking to save some money, not in a hurry, and willing to get their hands a little dirty. It’s also a good option for stumps that can’t be reached by a stump grinder.

Paint it

“Painting” a stump is shockingly easy. (No, we don’t just mean painting it your favorite color.) For about $20, you can buy a product called Stump Stop. It’s a liquid that you pour onto the stump straight from the bottle, and you’re done. While Stump Stop may help speed up the decomposition process, it’s not really meant to get rid of your stump—just to stop it from sprouting back. This is especially effective on buckthorn, Bradford pears, russian olive, and other species that are hard to control.

Use it

Put your potted plants on it. Or a bird feeder. Make it a proper home for your garden gnomes. If it’s tall enough, turn it into a table. Obviously, this doesn’t get rid of the stump. It does, however, solve the “unsightly” problem. Let your creative juices flow and turn your stump into YOUR stump, (and don’t be afraid to cheat and check Pinterest.)