stump removal

[GLyford]

We took down 3 white pines next to our driveway, and were contemplating the whole grind vs. dig thing...then said to each other "is there any reason this has to be lawn...?"

Planted shrubs around and between the stumps, covered the area with mulch and called it good enough.

 

[5030]

You're just pumping money in those holes. A cambium dose of gly from a spray bottle on the surface is more than sufficient to kill the tree. If you want to ensure effectiveness, you can mix it 50/50 with diesel fuel. Doesn't take much gly to kill a tree dead.

The Epsom on the other hand is a proven performer in getting the rot started. Another is fertilizer, or even just spoiled milk.

I don't really use that much and I buy Roundup Ultra in 2.5 gallon jugs anyway, I usually mix some with brush killer in a small jug so I can fill the holes. Takes maybe 1 ounce liquid per stump and a half pound of epsom salts. You use the expensive way, I use the cheap way... But my way takes time, yours is quicker.

Popples are hard to kill. mIt's the runners you want to eliminate that the Gly does that. You coulld grind a popple stump and still have runners or dig one out and still have runners, you have to kill the runners before stump removal.

 

[Jim Timber]

Putting gly on my aspen roots would kill all the trees in the surrounding area where I'm making roads. Not a good solution.

Takes me under 5 minutes per stump to grind to 10" depth. I still knock most stuff over that's 6" or less - that takes under a minute. The only thing expensive about my grinder is the up front cost and tooth replacements. So far I'm still running the original edges on the original set of teeth. Diesel to run the grinder is a whopping $6/hr right now - so less than a buck a tree and the stump is gone right now. Time is money. Your having to wait out the stumps decay does cost you the use of that space. I want/need my stumps gone so I can drive cars over where they used to be.

 

[5030]

I don't have a reason for immediate removal. You still had to build it, mine comes from a jug and a sack and I use the jug stuff to kill of invasive weeds in fertile fields.

You have your option, I have mine. I'm just presenting an alternative, nothing more. I like your tool but I have no need for one. If I was to go that route I'd buy a single point ripper for my hoe and rip them out. As it is, kill and roast works just fine for me and has for years now.

 

[willhoff]

Interesting timing for me to read this thread. Just spent 8+ hours on Saturday with a Vermeer stump grinder, grinding 15 large willow stumps out. As was mentioned, the upside is there is nothing left, and no hole to fill in. A bit of work with the box blade, and the yard is ready for grass!

Sorry it took so long to reply..I found your email in spam..You did the right thing grinding those stumps out..Willow trees love water and it takes forever to burn a willow stump..Great Job!!

 

[tractorgp]

I removed this stump with my BX25

 

[TractorGuy]

Well, I'm gonna dig mine out in an air conditioned backhoe. Wife asked me last night if I ever thought I would be digging stumps with a backhoe. I did the two acres our house is on with a ax and a shovel when I was in my 20s. I stopped counting at 150 stumps. Now that I'm over 60 and have 5 acres and probably 900 to 1000 stumps to clear I think I sit in comfort.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I dig around the stump a few inches below ground level with a shovel, wash the exposed stump with a hose or pails of water and then chainsaw the stump off as low as I can. Then cover the hole and keep it mowed to control new growth...

It's easy, cheap and they never come back to haunt me...

SR

 

[duanew1]

I tried the burning of the stump once. I am not sure that the stump was fully dead. That was my mistake. I drilled some holes in the stump and set a charcoal brickette fire on top. It burned somewhat. I ended up hitting it with a sledgehammer to break chunks off and covering it with dirt.

I will try Roundup and epsom salts next time.

 

[Jim Timber]

I dig around the stump a few inches below ground level with a shovel, wash the exposed stump with a hose or pails of water and then chainsaw the stump off as low as I can. Then cover the hole and keep it mowed to control new growth...

It's easy, cheap and they never come back to haunt me...

SR

This whole root ball was above final grade. Took 2 hours working from the sides with the root grapple to break it loose and peel it from the mound.

Love my grinder. Double 12/14" red oak eliminated in 12 minutes.

Stump grinder via trail camera - YouTube