Trying to remove 50 inch oak tree stump with Bobcat backhoe. Struggling

[clydesdale]

I screwed up and did not tell the tree guy to leave me a 4 foot stump. He cut it low. So, here I am. This thing grew on a rock ledge. I have trenched around it, but I can't get it to budge. Any suggestions? Burn it?

 

[LittleBill21]

drill holes, fill with diesel, couple bags of charcoal and a big bucket to cook it over a couple days

 

[5030]

Works like a charm and smells good too.

 

[mikester]

You want a minimum CAT420 sized backhoe, a 20ton excavator preferred to yank out that puppy. Oak roots go deep.

You need to dig way deeper than you have gone so far.

 

[MossRoad]

Burn it. Those rocks look pretty large.

 

[ruffdog]

That's a tough one for sure. I had to cut down a dead oak that grew up on a rock pile and it was a mess. There were rocks INSIDE the tree that the tree grew around.

 

[Diggin It]

Four foot above ground wouldn't have helped.

If for some reason you can't or don't want to burn it, cut it as low as you can below ground level and bury it.

 

[Rebeldad1]

if your bobcat is too small you may have to step up to something bigger.... like a tiger.

 

[BigBlue1]

Four foot above ground wouldn't have helped.

If for some reason you can't or don't want to burn it, cut it as low as you can below ground level and bury it.

Since the ground is very rocky it seems unlikely that you'll end up with a hole as the stump decays, so this advice to cut below the surface and bury seems to be the easiest and best way forward.

Rob

 

[clydesdale]

I ordered potassium nitrate off of Amazon last night. From what I read, I can fill the cracks with that then add hot water to dissolve and soak into the wood. Then light it up. I like the idea of adding the charcoal as well. I really don't want to cut it. There are areas where rock is in it and areas without rock. It is a mess. I read that oak roots are 18 inches below surface. It does seem like they go deeper than that though. I think the issue here is that they weave in and out of the ledge.
Any experience with the Potassium Nitrate?

 

[cwbyeng1300]

Drill as big a hole as youcan in the center of the stump, then another hole from the side angled down into the center hole, fill with diesel until it runs out of the hole on the side. Let is soak for a day, then light it up & it will burn down from the inside out.

 

[sea2summit]

Like everyone else said, burn it. But bring a snickers or seven of'em even.

 

[TractorGuy]

Keep digging until it falls over in the hole.

 

[California]

Drill as big a hole as youcan in the center of the stump, then another hole from the side angled down into the center hole, fill with diesel until it runs out of the hole on the side. Let is soak for a day, then light it up & it will burn down from the inside out.

The side hole is for draft, to burn hotter?

 

[Industrial Toys]

If you don't need it gone below ground, grind it off nice and low and backfill. I have seen BIG excavators fight with much smaller stumps, like Elm, even left good and high.

I have never managed to burn big stuff, fresh and wet.

I also, never like to beat up little equipment doing more than they were ever intended to do.

 

[MossRoad]

The side hole is for draft, to burn hotter?

Yes.

 

[Sonny580]

The down hole is the chimney and the side hole is the draft,---making a rocket stove out of the stump! It will work!

 

[Erik M]

Some 60% dynamite and a pry bar was a quick and effective solution before 9/11 made it so difficult to get explosives. Burning is safer and less likely to bring the heat and light into your yard

 

[California]

A friend learned he needed a couple more units for his degree and any elective would do. He chose the Stumpblasting course! Oregon State U, as I recall.

 

[pjbci]

If that stump is anywhere close to 50 inches, you are not going to get it out even if you ever move it. Also the root depth depends on the tree and the soil. Some oaks go very deep here (water/pin oak) and others (white and red) sometimes barely go a foot. My 140 would eventually get that stump turned over then take another 30 mins knocking dirt loose just to get it out of the hole. Somebody mentioned a 320 or 200. My 200 could handle it but it wouldnt be easy and would still have to knock dirt off just to get it out of the hole.