How to Remove a Tree Stump by Hand

Summer is wrapping up, and there is a lot of activity in the tree removal world right now. All those busy arborists are leaving a trail of stumps in their wake, and homeowners are on the hunt for ways to remove the stumps. Dead stumps on your property can attract insects and pests in search of a home, so it is usually best to get the stumps out of there.

If you are one of those property owners needing to get stumps out of the way, you have a few choices. You can manually dig out the remnants, use a stump grinder, or try a chemical stump remover. Each option will get the desired result but in very different ways and on very different timelines.

The No-Chemical Solution
If you want a good workout and a natural stump removal option, then the manual method is right for you. Removing a tree stump by hand works best on small to medium-sized stumps. Here’s how to tackle this project:

1. Clear away debris from around the stump and dig down into the soil enough to expose the lateral roots (as opposed to the tap root which goes straight down from the trunk).
2. Use a mattock to sever the roots around the stump, pulling up debris to toss aside.
3. If needed, hose off the area to expose more roots and then continue chopping until you sever all the lateral roots.
4. Once you can rock the stump back and forth a bit, chop it into several sections to sever the taproot.
5. Remove all parts of the stump and dispose of them.
6. Fill in the hole with loam or other fill material. You will probably need to redo this a few times as the material settles.

As you can see, removing a tree stump by hand is a simple process, but that doesn’t mean it is easy work. With the right tools and a strong back, however, you can have an all-natural stump removal method. And truthfully, sometimes doing a little hacking and chopping can feel pretty good.

But if you would rather have someone do the work for you, reach out today to Rochester Stump Removal. We’re your stump experts in the Rochester area and are eager to get the job done. ​