Seeing new growth in your yard isn’t always a good thing
Stubborn tree stumps can sometimes feel like something out of a horror movie, growing new limbs and branches after you’ve cut them down. A sprouting tree stump spells trouble, though, as the new limbs will attempt to grow into new trees without the stable support of a root system, creating hazards for your home.
The only way to prevent a tree stump from sprouting is to permanently kill the stump and roots. There are a few methods to permanently kill a stump and stop it from sprouting again, ranging from mechanical to chemical.
Unless you’re experienced, leave this method to a professional. Stump grinders are seriously powerful machines, and cost a pretty penny to purchase, though you may be able to find one to rent at a hardware store for about $150 to $190 per day.
However, if you do feel confident enough to give it a try, follow these steps.
Wear safety glasses, steel-toed boots, and hearing protection. Also, know how to shut the machine off in an emergency.
Remove rocks and other debris from the base of the tree.
If you have a chainsaw, saw the stump as close to the ground as possible.
Use the hydraulic level on the grinder to raise it several inches above what’s left of the stump.
Start the machine and slowly lower it onto the stump, grinding down about 3 inches of the stump in that area.
Using the level, move the machine side to side to clear away the wood until about 3 inches are removed in all areas of the stump at a time.
After some time, the stump should be lowered about 6 inches into the ground.
Fill in the hole with dirt or wood chips from the stump.
This stump removal method will take much longer, but you can do it without as much heavy equipment.
Drill several holes about 8 inches deep into the stump.
Pour the Epsom salt into the stump, filling all the holes you just drilled.
Add a little water on top of the salt to moisten it.
If it’s the rainy season, cover the stump with the salt as well so rainwater doesn’t dissolve all the Epsom salt you just poured into the holes.
Repeat this process every three weeks until the stump is dead (it should be dark and brittle).
Before proceeding with burning the stump, make sure to check with your local authorities to confirm there are no special regulations. If, for instance, you live in an area prone to wildfires, you’ll need to confirm it’s not a No-Burn Day.
In addition, it’s always a good idea to wear protective gear (goggles and a mask to avoid inhaling any smoke) and keep the area around the stump damp to prevent the fire from spreading.
Drill 6–8 holes into the stump, about 8–10 inches deep each.
Clear any debris that has accumulated in the newly drilled holes.
Pour some kerosene into each of the holes. Consider pouring more kerosene the next day, especially if you’re working with a large stump. Let this sit for a few days to allow it to fully soak into the wood.
Place charcoal on top and around the stump.
Carefully ignite the stump.
After a few hours or days, depending on its size, the stump should turn to ash. Be sure to keep an eye on it to make sure the fire has completely ashed the stump, and that there is no smoldering left. Having a water source or a fire extinguisher on hand is also a good idea in case the fire gets out of control and spreads where it’s not wanted.
Shovel away any of the stump’s ashes.
If you have had issues with sprouting trunks in the past and want to get ahead of any future ones, this last method works best as a preventative measure. It won’t be very effective on trees that have already started to sprout. Do not apply herbicide if rain is expected within the next 24 hours.
Wear eye protection and apply the herbicide right after the tree is initially cut. It works best if applied less than 30 minutes after you remove the tree.
Apply the stump herbicide, which should contain glyphosate and triclopyr, by spraying or painting it liberally onto the stump.
Keep these precautions in mind as you take on killing a stump.
Some guides might recommend bleach as a way to kill a tree stump—and it will do just that. However, it will also destroy whatever surrounds the tree, including your beloved hydrangea plant. Epsom salt, as described above, is a much safer method.
When using chemicals or even Epsom salt, it can’t hurt to cover surrounding plants to make sure they’re safe and sound. Herbicides are typically used to kill pesky weeds in your lawn, and they can be lethal to unsuspecting plants or flowers.
Always wear eye protection and ear protection if you’re using a grinder. If you’re working with chemicals, heavy-duty work gloves are also advised.
Some trees store sugar and other nutrients in their roots, which allows the tree to continue growing even after being cut down to its stump. Trees that are likely to sprout include maples, lindens, willows, beech, and ash. The sprouts are the tree’s survival mechanism kicking in, and if left untreated, the sprouts can grow into new trees without a stable root plate. This process can create a much bigger hazard than the original tree you just cut down.
When a tree stump is sprouting, it grows branches known as suckers. These suckers—which can look like tiny little trees or resemble something closer to a hedge—crop up around the stump or tree base, but start below the ground level. After you cut a tree down, it shifts into survival mode and sprouts these suckers to try and re-grow.
Fruit trees often grow suckers, but there are some varieties of trees that will not grow back after you’ve cut them down, allowing you to leave the stump as-is. These include pines, palms, cypress, and oaks. There are a few exceptions to this rule. For instance, the celery pine and coast redwood can both sprout. It’s best to talk to a professional about the type of tree you have, if you’re unsure, and proceed accordingly.
Some living trees will also grow suckers without ever having been cut down to a stump. These sprouts can grow after your tree has been damaged or pruned, or in the case of an ash tree, after being infested with the emerald ash borer (a type of beetle). If you see these pop up, call a professional tree service to control these growths, as they will draw nutrients away from the tree’s main system.
Prevention is the best measure for all of your trees, so this reminder is as good as any to get them properly checked and trimmed once per year. The same goes for finally getting around to removing that stubborn stump that’s been hanging out in your yard.
Want to sit back and enjoy a movie marathon rather than grind down a tree stump all day? Most stump removal companies will reduce the cost for each stump if there are multiple to grind down. If your stump is near a utility line, it’s always best to save this task for a pro. While it’s possible to DIY stop stump growth, the use of heavy-duty and potentially dangerous tools like a stump grinder is best left to the pros. Plus, professional stump removal can ensure that you don’t have to worry about repeating this task in the future.
Overall, the cost of stump removal ranges from $180 to $560, depending on the removal method, size and number of stumps, and your home’s location. For example, the cost for professional stump grinding is about $320, with the average range running between $170 and $500.
If your stump removal services price their services by stump size, you can expect to pay $2 to $5 per diameter inch. When hiring a stump removal specialist, be sure to provide them with relevant information like stump size, type, and number to get an accurate price estimate.
The two minerals in Epsom salt, magnesium and sulfur, can kill plants and weeds when applied in excess. The salt draws moisture out of the plant and the tree’s root system, preventing it from absorbing any moisture or nutrients. The stump will eventually completely dry out and break down, allowing for easy removal.
Using Epsom salt to kill a tree stump will take between six and 12 months. While this method may seem extended, it significantly speeds up the natural stump decomposition process, which can take up to seven years. If you’d like to DIY remove a tree stump and it’s not causing any immediate harm or danger, using Epsom salt to kill it slowly is a viable removal option.
Vinegar is another household item that can kill a tree stump over time. Vinegar’s acetic acid works to dissolve the stump’s outer layer through its carbohydrates. However, this compound alone is not enough to kill a large tree stump or one in a hard-to-reach spot. Other methods like stump grinding and applying herbicides work much faster and more effectively than using vinegar.
