Tree stump removal?

Tringa

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Has anyone used any of the chemical stump removers that are supposed to rot tree stumps?

I need the stump (about 14 inches in diameter) of a tree removed and the access to it is so limited that any mechanical means is a non starter - I'd need to remove a section of brick wall to get a small digger or stump grinder in.

I could dig it out myself but removing a much smaller stump took ages with a combination of mattock, spade and saw, so I wondered if the chemical method is any good.

Any views about how easy (or not) they are to use, how long they take and are they really successful would be appreciated, as would any other ideas.

Dave
 
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I've always done it by drilling the stump multiple times, with a zip bit, fill with weedkiller / brushkiller then stop with putty or cover with a plastic bag and wait, and wait, and wait. You can top up weedkiller as required.
 
I took mine out, roots and all, with a mini digger. Done in minutes and well worth the few quid I forked out for it's hire.
 
Can't help no, sounds slow and frustrating though.

I have seen one burnt out by copying the Swedish Fire Log method, you'll find it on you tube. You need a chainsaw to cut deep slots, then a very long 1inch wood drill to bore air holes all round and downwards into the centre. A long drill bit Like this one.
 
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If you cannot get a machine to it, you have two options.

1. Do it manually, hard work, no doubt about it.

2. Use chemical and while away the years whilst it works.

Sorry I cannot be of any more help, I just don`t see another option for you.

Saying that, we recently converted a huge beech tree stump into a picnic table.
 
If you can get to it then you can get a machine to grind it out, you need to find a tree surgeon with an "alpine magnum" stump grinder your local stump busters will likely have one, won't take long at all.
 
If the ground isn't too hard or rocky try a chainsaw on the exposed roots and work your way down.
 
If you cannot get a machine to it, you have two options.



............................Saying that, we recently converted a huge beech tree stump into a picnic table.


......................and a great lump of Oak into yer heid!!!!
 
Thanks for the suggestions/comments all.

Dave
 
If you wait until the ground is good and soggy its a lot less effort.

One cheat solution would be to dig round the stump and just saw it down to a much lower level. I ended up doing that with a few leylandii stumps. Couldn't pull one of them up as the roots were wrapping around the cable supply so it was easier to slice off the top as low as possible.

Then drill into it and inject the stump killing stuff. It will then rot down eventually.
 
These people may be able to help. I used them a few years ago and they did a great job.

http://www.stumpbusters.co.uk/

Hope this helps

Ian
What sort of price was it to get it done?

I've got a similar sounding stump to the OP which I've dug all round to cut the roots but there's one in the middle underneath which I can't get to in order to cut it :-(
 
From memory Tim I paid about £60 but it was well worth it, they did a very neat job and saved me hours of digging.

Ian
Thanks for the info, that sounds like a very reasonable price.
 
Drill deep into it and then fill the holes with weed killer and caustic soda, it's a bit faster than weed killer on its own. As it rots down keep doing the same until you get down to the roots and then saw the roots through and it should come out reasonably easy.
 
The chemical method is pretty slow and depends on the type of tree, what tree is it?

Burning only really works if the wood is dry, (i.e not green and fresh cut).

If you want it gone quick, and there really is no room to get to it with any sort of machine, its spade, mattock and axe time!

@TopBanana thats the taproot, and will be pretty big, you just have to keep digging to get access to it, otherwise it aint going nowhere!
 
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