Removing a Stump - The Hard Way

Brian G. NY · Apr 6, 2020

Actually, it wasn't as hard as I anticipated but it was a tough old Elm.
It was only a 12" stump but it was a lot bigger underground.
I just cut in a ways, then split off a piece and repeated several times.
I cut it only 2 or 3 inches below ground level but being elm I don't expect it is going to rot away any time soon and leave a depression in my lawn.

Brian G. NY · Apr 6, 2020

After the stump was gone.......well, at least the above ground part.

Greg1959 · Apr 6, 2020

For a few years, I worked in a Residential Treatment Facility
for youth under 18 years old. "Wanna be 'Gang-Bangers'".

Each "Group" consisted of about 12 youth. When they messed up,
I'd take my 'group' up on the hill and find a tree, much like
you pictured, and give each youth a teaspoon. They had to dig
the entire root system up with the spoons provided and not
break even the smallest root.

It would take days (daylight to dark), but they did it. They
learned that it took them working together as a whole that they
could accomplish more than as a single actor.

This method was used quite often throughout the many 'groups'
at the facility and others across the country.

Traditional Farmer · Apr 7, 2020

Think I'd of left it for the squirrels to use for a place to cut Hickory nuts.

showcrop · Apr 7, 2020

There is a place that I have been mowing for maybe fifteen years. Four years ago it started to develop some depressions which over three years got to be 3-4 feet deep. The place had been cleared four years before I started mowing it. I got the property landscape guy to haul loam in and level it. He had to use a small truck and it took a lot of loads for four holes. Apparently it takes years for the stumps to rot down but then they go pretty fast.

sms · Apr 7, 2020

I did the same thing to about half a
dozen locust stumps yesterday. Made less
mess then tearing up the lawn with the
excavator.

Billy NY · Apr 7, 2020

I'll tell you, I had one about the same size and when the 555C backhoe arrived, I decided to try it on removing a stump about the same size. This was hard work for the machine, (not abusing it) I cut the roots, (bucket teeth were worn out), which took some doing. Then pried on it here and there, stubborn as heck. I decided this kind of work would be hard on a machine like this, won't be trying any more of those, they are very strong rooted ! The hole filled in and did not settle, amazing how you'll really need an excavator or a much stronger machine for a 12"-14" elm stump. I think you did the right thing. My neighbor just piles the tops on them and burns them, works pretty good.

rustyacres sd · Apr 7, 2020

after getting it down below ground, I would drill in a bunch of holes with auger bits and fill with diesel fuel. It will soak in. Do this for several days maybe a couple weeks. Then it will burn down nice and slow.

Northvale PA · Apr 7, 2020

I avoid cutting stumps below grade as I have actually cut into rocks that the tree grew around. So, I only
cut flush.

Brian G. NY · Apr 7, 2020

(quoted from post at 13:46:33 04/07/20) I did the same thing to about half a
dozen locust stumps yesterday. Made less
mess then tearing up the lawn with the
excavator.

Being Locust, you probably are never gonna have to worry 'bout no depressions. LOL

Removing a Stump - The Hard Way

Brian G. NY

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Brian G. NY

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Greg1959

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Traditional Farmer

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showcrop

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sms

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Billy NY

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rustyacres sd

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Northvale PA

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Brian G. NY

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