Gave it a try after reading about it here, drill a few holes, fill with diesel and let it burn. My stump was pretty punky but sure was easier than trying to dig it out with the BH. A lot less mess too. The stump in the picture is/was about 2 feet by 1 foot and 4 above the ground. Burned for about 48 hours.
Stump removal with diesel fuel burn
- Thread starter tuerdon
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kensnelling
Elite Member
I'll bet it'll smolder underground for a while longer too. Several years ago my grandfather did that with an old oak stump, 2-2.5 feet in diameter. When spring came he had a big hole in the ground where the root ball smoldered away.
Ken
Ken
amstaff
Silver Member
- Joined
- May 26, 2011
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- 112
- Tractor
- Mahindra 5530
How many holes, and about how much diesel was used?
saltbranch
Silver Member
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- Sep 29, 2009
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- 219
Ive never had a problem with big holes left after burning our Mesquite stumps. I usually run a disc over the area or dump in some dirt with the FEL and smooth out.
savageactor7
Platinum Member
tuerdon we have a large 3' old locust stump about 6' from the house. Do you think that's too close to try with that method?
I don't want to dig it because I fear it will be a threat to the field stone cellar foundation. thanks
I don't want to dig it because I fear it will be a threat to the field stone cellar foundation. thanks
CharlieS
Gold Member
The method i've found works best for me is set half of a 55 gallon drum over the stump and build a fire in it.
When i clean up after cutting winters firewood, all the scraps that don't stack with the stove wood get cut and piled just for that purpose.
I cut the stump off just above ground then in the fall or early spring when things are damp, keep a fire burning in the barrel as long as needed to get the stump below ground level.
When i clean up after cutting winters firewood, all the scraps that don't stack with the stove wood get cut and piled just for that purpose.
I cut the stump off just above ground then in the fall or early spring when things are damp, keep a fire burning in the barrel as long as needed to get the stump below ground level.
Mark Page
Platinum Member
Not having access to diesel fuel, my father used to use charcoal. Not the least expensive way to go but a lot less smoke in a Suburban setting.
Savage, no way I'd start a fire that close to the house. Time to rent a stump grinder.
Savage, no way I'd start a fire that close to the house. Time to rent a stump grinder.
wedge40
Veteran Member
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Whats that green stuff in the upper left corner of the photo. 
Wedge
Wedge
savageactor7 this stump was about 5 feet from the cottage but no issue with it burning this close. The diesel starts the fire then it smolders for a long time as the stump is slowly burned away.
amstaff, drilled about 10 holes 4" deep and used about a half gallon of fuel
kensnelling, you are correct and you really need to watch out for root fires. I soaked it down after to make sure it was out. Don't try this in an area that has lots of pine trees, they can cause a fire up to 6 months after the burn due to roots smoldering for months.
amstaff, drilled about 10 holes 4" deep and used about a half gallon of fuel
kensnelling, you are correct and you really need to watch out for root fires. I soaked it down after to make sure it was out. Don't try this in an area that has lots of pine trees, they can cause a fire up to 6 months after the burn due to roots smoldering for months.
travis potter
Silver Member
I read someplace about drilling the stump then putting saltpeter and charcoal in the holes then filing the holes with diesel but I don't rember where or the exact process. The saltpeter and charcoal made black powder that burned very hot but will not explode. Can anyone help with info on this?????
joshuabardwell
Elite Member
In a situation like that, wouldn't the safest thing be to just have it ground down below ground level and put some topsoil over it? I would be worried about the burnt-out root ball leaving a sinkhole or something that close to the house.
Bob77064
Elite Member
The method that I have used on big stumps three feet across. Is to stack the charcoal on the stump light it and let it burn down into the stump.
Qapla
Veteran Member
Pine stumps are what I need to get rid of ... any suggestions?
quicksandfarmer
Elite Member
You used to be able to buy Dragon brand stump remover at Home Depot that was 99.5% Potassium Nitrate (saltpeter). I think Homeland Security put a stop to that.
Tractor Supply and some other places still carry the potassium nitrate stump remover. I've not found it to work all that well. I battled a large walnut stump for a few years before I finally burned it out by directing a leaf blower on it while lit with a small campfire on top of it. It would never stay burning without forced air even after several pounds of stump remover were put all through it in 1" diameter up to 12" deep drilled holes over a period of a year or so.....
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Wyobuckaroo
Platinum Member
I had about an 18" diameter pine stump to remove.
I did the drilled holes and fill with diesel fuel.
Then I set a 55 gallon barrel with both ends cut out over the stump and filled it with small wood chunks of a couple old pallets I cut up.
Burned out very well.
Good luck
I did the drilled holes and fill with diesel fuel.
Then I set a 55 gallon barrel with both ends cut out over the stump and filled it with small wood chunks of a couple old pallets I cut up.
Burned out very well.
Good luck
ETpilot
Gold Member
This thread motivated me to re-light an old pecan stump that I have. It started at about 3x3 but never burned very well. It was too green and had to season some. So, today I set fire to it and it has been burning good since noon. Looks like it will continue to burn thru the night.
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savageactor7
Platinum Member
Well OK tuerdon, with a smoldering type burn as opposed to an open fire perhaps I'll give that a go. Thanks for the skinny.
20 20
Elite Member
Allthough this may work for some it is not a good idea for others. I did this years back and the fire spread under ground over 100 feet away. It was not noticable until 3 days later when all of a sudden a fire broke out, luckily I was home to catch it. Not writting you can't do this, just be carefull, it could turn into a HUGE mistake.
ETpilot
Gold Member
Good point. That could present a problem. I have been feeling the ground surrounding the stump and also flooding a perimeter with water.
Well, I finally woke up. I just remembered that I have a digital infared thermometer. So I went out and shot around the area. The ground surrounding the stump was in the 80's. The hot core of the stump is reading a little over 500 degrees. It is buring good, still above ground. This is going to take some time. I will be monitoring it.
