How To Remove A Tree Stump Without Harsh Chemicals Or Heavy Equipment

If you have a fallen tree in your yard, that might just be the beginning of your problems. The tree stump left behind can quickly become an eyesore, taking up valuable growing space for other flowers or shrubs. If you don't want to spend the money to hire arborists to grind out a stump, fear not. You can always get rid of it the old-fashioned way: Dig it out.

Removing stumps can be costly, with the homeowner paying an average of around $400 to hire someone to do it. Sometimes, it can even cost upwards of $1,400 depending on the size of the stump. Digging out these tree remnants requires a lot of labor and time, but it's definitely cheaper. It can be a relatively straightforward process — especially if it's a smaller-sized tree stump, say a foot or less wide.

All you need is some time, a shovel, some heavy-duty loppers or saw, a pry bar, and some elbow grease. Start by digging a moat or trench around the stump. Aim for about a foot deep. With this intense shovel work, you might want to cushion the handle with this pool hack that will have your hands thanking you. Just slide a pool noodle over the handle for extra cushioning. Hand injuries are actually surprisingly common when handling shovels for a long time. Take a break at least every 20 minutes to reduce your risk. As you dig, use your loppers or saw to cut away any roots stretching out horizontally and anchoring the stump in the ground.

Once you've got a decent-sized trench all around the stump and you've cut away any roots that you can see, then it's time to put that pry bar to work. You want to get under it, lift up what you can and cut away more roots as you go. Eventually, you'll pry it loose from the dirt and get it out of the hole. Next, fill the crater with dirt and maybe even top with grass seed.

Of course, digging might not make the most sense if your stump is oversized. While you might be tempted to light the stump on fire, don't. It can burn for days, and in dry or windy areas, it could easily spin out of control. One alternative option is to consider using Epsom salt on the stump. This slow-action strategy can eliminate unwanted tree stumps as an affordable household solution. 

If all of this sounds like too much trouble, simply let the tree stump decompose on its own. Dead trees and stumps do provide benefits to your garden's ecosystem. They can give shelter to insects or animals and will enrich the soil as they decompose. Speed up the process by adding soil or earthworms near your stump. These insects are champs at eating away at tree roots. While you wait, you could always opt to hide the tree stump if the sight of it bothers you.