June 22nd, 2015
We get people asking all the time: "Can I remove my stump myself?" The short answer is "yes" - there are several ways that homeowners can try to remove their own stumps. But, most people opt to hire a professional to do it, to avoid the tough physical labour and hassle that can come from doing it yourself. If you're not careful, you can also end up damaging your property or hurting yourself (especially considering that hiring a professional is comparable in price to renting a grinder yourself)!
If you're still on the fence about whether to do it yourself or to hire a professional, here are some common ways to remove stumps, with pros and cons for each.
Burning a Stump
How it's done
Cut the stump down so it's a manageable size (usually about one foot tall). The stump should be quite dry. Pile small firewood on top of the stump, and all around it, tee-pee style. If possible, dig around the sides and under it so you can burn from underneath the stump (heat rises). Light it on fire, and let the stump burn. Continue adding firewood until the entire stump is burned. Once it's done burning and has cooled down, dig out the ashes, and fill in the hole with dirt.
Positives
This is a cost-effective way to get rid of your stump.
Negatives
This method doesn't help you get rid of surface roots. Phew! This is a stinky method that may turn your nice neighbours into grumpy neighbours. Watch out for surrounding trees and landscaping. It can take an entire day for the stump to burn completely, and it's not something you can just set and forget.
Dangers
This method can be dangerous if the weather is dry, and you'll want to make sure your stump is away from other trees, overhead branches, your house, and other landscaping. If not, you could end up burning more than you want to. This method may be better suited to acreages or large lots.
Time it will take
Depending on the size of the stump and how frequently you stoke the fire, this can take anywhere from a few hours to all day.
Special tools required
Chainsaw to cut down your stump, firewood, and some fire-building skills.
Approximate cost
Free (assuming you don't need to pay for firewood).
Digging out a Stump
How it's done
Using a pointed shovel, start digging around the stump to expose the roots nearest the stump. This may be difficult if your ground is hard or you are in a tight location. If you discover the roots are very big or deep, you might want to choose a different removal method. Once the roots are all exposed, use a lopper or root saw to cut the roots. You want to sever the roots from the trunk, so you'll need to go around the entire stump. Some people use a chainsaw to remove the roots, which is a bad idea, as dirt and chainsaws don't mix. Once that is done, dig and cut out as much of the root system as possible, following them to their tips. A hoe is a useful tool to pry the roots up. Once the roots are all cut, use a shovel to get under the trunk, and pry it from the ground. Fill the hole with dirt or sawdust (overfill it a bit to account for slumping).
Positives
This is a pretty cost-effective way of removing the stump, assuming you already have the necessary tools.
Negatives
This is hard work! And it can take a long time! Once you're done pulling out the stump, you're often left with a very heavy, very large stump and root ball (possibly 300 lbs.). You'll have to either remove it yourself, or pay somebody to come and remove it for you.
Dangers
This is a physical job. Not everyone will be able to do this safely. Careful if your'e using an axe to cut the roots if there are rocks around, you can shatter your axe, which will definitely ruin your weekend. When digging out a stump, some people think it wise to use a rope to attach the stump to the bumper of their pickup truck and drive really fast. While this is a great way to remove the bumper from your truck, we don't recommend it to remove a stump from the ground.
Time it will take
Digging out a stump is generally hard work, and it can take several hours to complete the job. If you discover that the roots are not easy to get to, you may have to switch methods, or call a professional.
Special tools required
Lopper (branch cutter) or root saw, pointed shovel for digging, hoe or other wrenching tool, muscles.
Approximate cost
Just time and energy, assuming you have the necessary tools already.
Chemical Stump Remover
How it's done
Stump remover is usually made up of potassium nitrate, and is designed to accelerate the rotting process. Cut down the stump as far as you can using a chainsaw. Drill deep holes in the stump (approximately 10 inches deep) about an inch apart. Place the stump remover chemicals in the holes, followed by hot water to dissolve the powder. Let it rot away! This can take a month or so. Once it's nice and spongy, you can start hacking it out with an axe (it should be pretty easy). To remove the entire thing, and the roots around it, you can burn the rest of it.
Positives
No real manual labour here!
Negatives
This method is not for impatient people! It takes a long time, so if you have landscaping plans for the summer, you may not want to take the time to do this. It's also a chemical, which we're not totally crazy about. Not really an option if you have pets or kids (see below).
Dangers
You do NOT want any children or pets around the stump during or after treatment. The powder is very dangerous if it's ingested. If you have kids or pets, this may not be the right method for you.
Time it will take
A few weeks up to a month and a half.
Special tools required
Chainsaw (if necessary), drill, stump remover chemicals, axe.
Approximate cost
You can buy stump remover for about $10 at your hardware store.
Renting a Stump Grinder
How it's done
Hardware stores usually rent out smaller versions of stump grinders that homeowners can use to grind out their own stumps. Grinders have “teeth” that rotate very quickly and grind, or chip out, the stump. These grinders are intended to remove one or two stumps under 10” in diameter.
Positives
This is the fastest method of home stump removal.
Negatives
Rental units are smaller, and less powerful than commercial units. Therefore, it will take longer to grind your stump, and may take more effort than you expect. They usually don't dig that deep, meaning you can just barely cover over the stump with some soil (you won't be able to replant a tree in that location). This may or may not be an issue for you, depending on your future plans.
Dangers
Watch out for sprinkler and gas lines - they are easy to damage if you don't know where they are. Chips and rocks can go flying when you operate the grinder, potentially hurting you or damaging your property. If you damage the grinder by mistake (including the teeth), you can lose your deposit (somewhere around $125).
Time it will take
Depending on the size and location of the stump, you can likely be done grinding a stump in a few hours. Factor in the time you need to rent the grinder and transport it home.
Special tools required
Stump grinder, protective eyewear and footwear, a vehicle large enough to transport the grinder home.
Approximate cost
Rental rates vary, of course, but in general you can expect to pay about $150 / day for a rental, or $90 for four hours, plus a damage deposit of about $125. Four hours is enough time to remove about 2-3 inches from a 20" wide spruce stump.
Call a Professional
How it's done
If you live in a metropolitan area, there will be companies that can remove the stumps for you. They usually do it by using a big grinder, larger and more powerful than the versions you can rent at the hardware store. As a comparison, the average rental grinder has eight teeth with a 10 HP motor, whereas the professional units have a minimum of 20 teeth and a 27 HP motor (about three times the power).
Positives
You don't have to worry about injuring yourself or damaging your property. Reputable stump grinding companies know how to avoid property damage, and will have insurance to cover any damage on the rare occasion it might happen (ask them about their insurance policy if you want to know). They have the experience to deal with complicated stumps, and stumps in tight spaces. They can easily remove surface roots. In most cases, you can replant a tree where the old stump was (if your stump remover has large enough equipment). In most cases, you don't need to be home when they grind out the stump, so there's minimal disruption to your day.
Negatives
It's more expensive than some of the other methods.
Dangers
Again, there's really not much to worry about here, but you do want to make sure you're dealing with a reputable and professional company. Ask if they have insurance, WCB and are members of the local Better Business Bureau (BBB). Ask for references if you're unsure, and remember, as with anything, the cheapest quote is not necessarily the best one.
Time it will take
A stump and surrounding surface roots can be ground out in as little as 10 minutes, depending on the quality of the company's equipment and the location / size of the stump.
Special tools required
None
Approximate cost
This depends on the company and where you live, but in metropolitan Alberta prices for a single stump removal is between $100 and $140. Pretty much the same price as it renting a stump grinder yourself, and without all the hassle!
Removing a stump yourself is definitely an option if you are wiling to put in the time and effort. However, in many cases (especially in urban locations) it makes more sense to call the pros. If you have any questions about stump removal, or would like a free quote to have your stump removed, please be in touch.
