How to Remove Tree Stumps | Ask This Old House
2,691,592
Published 2016-10-06
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse
Shopping List for How to Remove Tree Stumps:
- Loam [amzn.to/32p20aE], for filling stump hole
- Grass seed [amzn.to/2Y2WQSa], to plant over backfilled stump hole
Tools for How to Remove Tree Stumps:
- Pointed shovel [amzn.to/2l5yoOf], for digging around stump
- Bypass loppers [amzn.to/2l6WRCL], to cut small tree roots
- Pruning saw [amzn.to/2l5YAZ8] or reciprocating saw [amzn.to/2jDpQO7] with pruning blade [amzn.to/2l7xsbZ], for cutting large roots
- Iron digging bar [amzn.to/2jF9Tam], to chop through roots
- Gas-powered stump grinder [amzn.to/2l5ZeG2], for power grinding stumps
- Garden [amzn.to/2jDqrPR] and lawn rake [amzn.to/2l7hP4w], used to smooth loam
Steps for How to Remove Tree Stumps:
1. Use a pointed shovel to dig out the soil around the tree stump. Continue digging until you’ve exposed the roots all the way around the stump.
2. Cut small-diameter tree roots with bypass loppers.
3. Use a pruning saw or reciprocating saw to cut through larger tree roots.
4. Chop through hard-to-reach roots with an iron digging bar.
5. After cutting all the roots, push over the stump, then roll it out of the hole.
6. Backfill the hole with the excavated soil and loam.
7. In the spring, rake grass seed into the soil and water frequently.
8. If you have to remove more than one stump, rent a gas-powered stump grinder.
9. Remove any rocks from the around the stump, then use the stump grinder to slowly chip away at the stump.
10. Stop grinding when the stump is 6 to 8 inches below the surface.
11. Rake away the wood chips, then fill the hole with loam.
12. In the spring, plant grass seed.
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:
Facebook: bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB
Twitter: bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter
bit.ly/AskTOHTwitter
Pinterest: bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest
Instagram: www.instagram.com/asktoh/
bit.ly/AskTOHIG
Tumblr: bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTumblr
For more on This Old House and Ask This Old House, visit us at: bit.ly/ThisOldHouseWebsite
How to Remove Tree Stumps | Ask This Old House
youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/
All Comments (21)
-
“Backbreaking work” sums it up pretty nicely. Gave a try removing two stumps today in my backyard with just a 4lb axe and a steel mallet. The stumps won today, but I did a little bit of damage to em
-
2:46 His face after he did all the work and they have a power tool LOL
-
I went to Home Depot & asked the associate where they keep the “law-puhs“. He just stared at me
-
One weekend in Texas, I needed to pull up a magnolia. It was taking me awhile to get it to wiggle, until I realized there was no music. Once I had ZZ Top playing, ten other guys showed up with four cases of beer. We had it up in ten minutes, and then listened to Billy and the boys play for another hour.
-
Roger: "Here you use this old dull hand saw that I don't use anymore while I use the powered reciprocating saw with a brand new blade". Homeowner:. "Thanks dad!"
-
I've been watching a lot of stump removal videos, and you are the first one who does it the right way. Digging it out is far quicker than burning, chemicals, etc. And it does a far more complete job.
-
As usual, This Old House comes through. This was the best and most thorough 'manual stump removal' site on the internet! Thank you! Keep it going.
-
Just watched about six videos on this subject . This one is the best , you obviously know what you are doing . Congratulations from England
-
Thank God . I came across this video . Bought a reciprocating saw and was able to remove 2 out of 3 spruce stumps . They had many roots. Thanks again.
-
Back in the day, before I had an excavator I removed many stumps, one trick I used was a come along and keep tension on the stump while digging, sawing chopping, very rewarding work when the stump would finally start to wiggle, this come along requires a tall stump and a very stationary object to anchor it to
-
I just removed a stump today after watching this video. I had already started to remove it yesterday but thought I was doing it wrong, but it turns out I was on the right path. However, this video did help me to realize that I needed to dig even further under the roots. Basically, all it took was a shovel and my $20 battery powered, refurbished Ryobi recip saw.
-
I've done about 7 stumps in my yard before watching this. It turns out I've been doing it the right (but labor intensive) way. The best thing... I don't need to go to the gym afterwards.
-
They make this look easy. There is nothing easy about removing a stump. I’d put the difficulty up there with planning the Normandy invasion.
-
i love how he makes him use the hand saw first knowing full well he had the electric saw right next to him!
-
Wow, Roger makes the homeowner use a hand saw when he had an electric saw all this time...
-
This is a classic manual job, I actually enjoy work like this. However, I use a reciprocating saw on the larger roots. I bought it when I had to dig a 100 foot plus trench by hand in a wooded area, I though that one job would kill the saw, but I still have it. It's covered in dirt and has removed stumps, and helped me dig two more trenches too!
-
A ricip saw is my favorite tool for hand-clearing small trees and bushes from a lot.
-
Now, that is the way to remove a stump. I did this with a 65-ft linden tree's stump, 4' wide, over a few weeks, and really enjoyed it, exploring the root system in the soil. Chipping leaves chips in the soil, and leaving roots leads to sunken ground as they rot.
-
I’ve removed a lot of stumps but key is knowing tree hardness (pine vs oak) and root depth and growth patterns (shallow silver maple vs white oak tap roots). For large hardwood stumps it’s best to chainsaw close to ground and rent stump grinder. Good advice to remove all wood chips and replace with topsoil; otherwise grass won’t grow.
-
Ive always wanted to use a shahhpend end of an iyon diggah baaah instead of laahpuhhs and a cutting wheel with caaahbide teeth...
