How to get this %$#&% stump out???

[Fuddyduddy1952]

30+ years ago I planted this small bush beside a shed. I noticed a few weeks ago it had died. I'm not sure what it was...green then red oval leaves about 3" long. I cut it down yesterday, whatever it was wood is very heavy.
I thought it would be easy backhoe it out but hours later it won't budge. I tried logging chain & truck...won't budge an inch. Tractor finally I burst the bucket cylinder hose & snapped chain!
Any ideas...thanks. If I had an old chainsaw bar & chain I'd just cut best I could 2ft down & bury it.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Can't help you with the stump, but that old Ford is wonderful.

 

[bcp]

Sawzall with long pruning blade. Toss the blade afterwards.

Bruce

 

[ning]

If it's dead, cut it (sawzall as above) and leave the rest of it, don't screw up that building.
Now if I can just kill the willow-thing that's decided it can hide its roots under my garden shed's slab...

 

[garry1p]

Once you cut it with a sawzall it would be a good idea to put something on the roots to kill them.

Keep an eye out for it next year or so in case it comes back at that time you can spray it to kill it.

 

[5030]

Words of wisdom..... Keep digging.....lol

 

[oosik]

Like ning said - whatever you do - don't screw up the foundation of that building. Sawzall and then paint the stubs with a root killing product. Watch for regrowth the following year. Be prepared with the root killing product.

 

[Yander]

Ax, not a pick.

 

[Thomas]

I cut off much I can and low than pour salt on it and bury.

 

[Runner]

When you say "if I had an old chainsaw bar and chain" do you mean you don't have a chainsaw or that you don't have an old bar and chain?

I know it's a lot of money, but I would be tempted to just sacrifice whatever bar and chain I had on the saw (or even a new one) to get that out. Seems to me like the best way to get right up against the building without hurting it.

 

[dodge man]

Use a strap, not a chain, and pull it out with your truck.

 

[EddieWalker]

I agree with the others that cutting is the safest way to get the rest of it out. Too much risk to the foundation if you keep digging at it with the backhoe.

I wouldn't hesitate to use a brand new chain on my chainsaw to get it out. Buying another chain isn't all that bad, especially to get it done and over with.

I also have several pruning blades for my Sawzall. I've used them on roots and smaller stumps. It just takes longer because you have to take it apart a little at a time.

 

[WVH1977]

Looks like part of the tap root has grown under the building and is in that hard red pan. Probably have to dig under the root to get to it. Good luck. If you get it out, I would put gravel and hard pan up in there and pack it good.

Not sure if that is the best advice but a rotting stump might cause the building to sink as well? Not sure, but I like getting all the stump I can.

 

[Runner]

Another thought, it is close enough to the corner, I might try working on it with my loader bucket from the right side. Like just kind of sawing on it from underneath, back and forth to cut or loosen it up.

Might at least help work it loose from the surrounding dirt so you can get at it with the saw, explosives or whatever.

 

[IndyIan]

You would be surprised how well a chainsaw cuts dirt(not rocks). I have a little plastic saw with the 3/8 narrow round corner chain, and I try to cut with the top of the bar, to shoot the dirt out if I can. It's done a few stumps and sharpens up not bad still, I just file by hand, half way through if necessary and the chain seems to last quite a while. It just gets used for small jobs as it never did cut 12"+ hardwood well, but that's done with a different saw. If you have a pressure washer or even a hose you can clean the stump up a bit and not cut quite as much dirt.

 

[Runner]

I can't imagine how you would be able to get any kind of decent compaction if you tried to excavate the root from under the building and then replaced the dirt/gravel. Personally, I would rather lop it off at the foundation line, and take the chance that the foundation would be able to bridge over any decomposed roots that are left. Probably would be a good idea to compact the he!! out of the fill dirt that goes back in the hole.

 

[ruffdog]

Might at least help work it loose from the surrounding dirt so you can get at it with the saw, explosives or whatever.

I'm all for using explosives. Just be sure to make a video of the action.

 

[gstrom99]

Like others have said - cut it as low as you can, toss/sharpen the saw chain/blade after. No need to dig it out...

I know you said it's dead, but coat the remaining stump with Tordon/similar. Then bury it and forget about it.

I had a bunch of fairly big trees around (like RIGHT AT) the pole barn walls, when I bought the place. I just cut them at ground level and left 'em to rot (4 years later - they're still there and solid...).

 

[ruffdog]

Many times I use a pickax and narrow shovel to expose roots then cut roots using shovel, hatchet, or ax. I've dug a lot of stumps.....grrr. Not fun.

 

[solo machine]

I had a few right up against the house foundation. I cut down most of what was there, left a foot or more to chain onto. I used a large come along strapped to a large tree at the base of it. I'd go out and give it a pull once or twice a day, after a few days or more," poof" the roots came out.