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Tree Stump Removal

bradbury1981bradbury1981 Posts: 4
edited July 2019 in Problem solving
Hi, I'm getting a large area paved and need to remove a number of small/average sized tree stumps (photos attached).  I'm not a tree expert by any means. Lol. I need some advice on the best way to remove these stumps. I will be doing this myself manually and want to make sure that it is done correctly. I've looked into hiring a grinder, but most of the stumps are close to concrete posts or flags, so this will not be suitable for the job. I would like advice on the tools to use to do this. (the cheaper the better). I don't mind a bit of manually work. Finally, once the stumps have been removed is there any chance or regrowth from the roots. Thanks. Jay
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  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Are you paving right up to that wall/fence?? Difficult to get any idea of scale but is that trunk about 6 inches across? 

    You have two options I think - either dig them out or cut them flush with the ground, put stump root killer on them and cover with plastic until gone.

    If you want to dig them out, a sharp spade, sharp pruning saw and a mattock would be the way to go. You will find that some of the roots go under the fence in which case you will need to cut them. It's not really a matter of digging the stump out but excavating all around it and then cutting all the major roots so you can pull the trunk out. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Agree with hogweed and you'll probably find the taller stumps the easiest to remove as you can use leverage to rock them out, digging out or cutting stubborn or inaccessible roots as you go.  A mattock will help enormously, especially with the shorter stumps.  Whether they will come back from roots left in the ground depends on what trees they were, but most won't return if the remaining roots are a foot or more deep.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • bradbury1981bradbury1981 Posts: 4
    Thanks for the response hogweed. Yes, the flags are going right to the wall/fence. We are looking to get this done in the next 2 months. Do you have any idea how long the stump/root killer takes on average to work and based on your experience which method would you prefer to do in this situation. Thanks again.
  • bradbury1981bradbury1981 Posts: 4
    Thanks Bob. Really useful advice.the big tree stump was an apple tree. I'm not too sure on the others. Lol. Thanks again. 
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    The stump killer will take years to do its job. Took out a very large rambling rose with a 6 inch stump, it's still there after two years. Digging is the only way to do it in time.
     Mind you had hawthorn stump, didn't know what to do with in corner of garden 9inch across for two years. Was going to cut it up but decided to make a stumpery. Planted it all up. At that point local hedgehog decided that it was perfect place to dig for bugs.🙄
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    If you are paving the area or paying somebody to do it for you, you will need really to get the stumps out because you have to allow for a certain amount to depth for hardcore/sand etc under the paving slabs. As the others have advised, dig a circle around the stump about 1ft to 2ft all around, cutting any roots you come across, then hook your mattock, pickaxe, whatever, under the stump or rock the trunk backwards and forwards, cutting any bigger deeper roots in two, then heave and heave again!  It can be done but it's jolly hard work and there's a knack to it, so I suggest you start with your smallest stump first to practice on.  I believe the stump root killer can take up a year to work so in your case, I don't think that's an option. Good luck, think of it as a good workout in an outdoor gym!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • bradbury1981bradbury1981 Posts: 4
    Haha. Thanks for the advice Purplerallim & Lizzie27 really useful and helpful. I will definately be digging out the stumps rather than using the stump killer. I will also be treating this as my daily workout regime to keep me going for the next few weeks 🤣🤣🤣 Thanks again. 👍
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    I hope none of the stumps is lilac. They have, it seems to me, an inbuilt defence mechanism of sending up suckers from the roots if you heavily prune them or cut them down to ground level.
    Rutland, England
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Or Rhus typhina! And yes, stump killer does take forever to work so I'm afraid it is going to be a bit of hard work if you need them done now. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    Brute force and ignorance!  I've dug out lots of stumps in my garden, and yes, it is toilsome and time consuming, but soooo satisfying when you finally wrench the b^^^^^ free.  It helps to have a sturdy pair of loppers for the roots - I managed to break a pair.
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