Best way to remove old rotted stump
 

We had a big ol mango tree in our back yard that was cut down maybe 5-7 years ago. The stump is still in the ground. Its fairly big at maybe 3 feet wide, maybe a little more. Its since died and rotted and is termite eaten. Whats the best way to remove this stump?

backhoe
sawzall and a shovel
stump grinder


landscape feature.....

Gasoline and match.

Wasn't there a product out many years ago that would rot the stump from the inside?

Potassium permangenate or something? Seems like you drilled holes in the top of the stump, poured in these crystals and a few months later dug out the rotted pieces.

Don't remember for sure, just that it made for good bombs

Yeah, there is. You can find this stump remover from HD or Walmart....about $5-10/bottle.

The only problem is that it takes about 6 months for a dried stump to decompose after you apply it. You cannot use it on a freshly cut, green stump.

Some stump products cause a smoldering effect that eats the stump down to the root.

http://www.eburgess.com/detail.asp?pid=8460

Other stump products cause the stump to be porous whereby then they recommend you burn it.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CDoQ8wIwBA#

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

A pick axe works well I've found and gives a good upper body workout.

:laughing:

Dynamite! Plus it is fun to watch and it freaks the neighbors out.

Let me get this straight... i apply the product then the stump self ignites?

I was actually thinking about getting a regular axe. I'll be an awesome upper body and abdominal workout.

I think a chemical reaction causes a smoldering effect, but it's not on fire.

One product (Burgess) seems self contained. The other products eats away at the stump, but then requires the rest of the stump to be burned.

BTW, digging out a stump is no fun. Not only will you need an axe, but also a good shovel, a good back, and probably physical therapy afterwards.

I wonder how that concrete cracking agent Dexpan would fare against a stump?

To expensive to buy a whole bucket but you might find someone willing to part with part of a bucket.

Might not push the wood far enough apart to separate the fibers. To much tensile strength I suspect

No doubt! Don't know what relation your palm tree is to a Locust tree but if any you'll get the pleasure of digging it out numerous times over the next ten years. Darn thing keeps sprouting all over the yard.

I removed a large white pine stump by drilling a series of closely spaced 1/2 inch diameter vertical holes into the stump using an electricians bit, about 18 inches long. I poured kerosene into each hole, let it sit for several days, then burned it. Worked fine. DO NOT USE GASOLINE, unless you are looking to kill yourself. Do not overuse the kerosene, you are looking to saturate the stump, not get kerosene into the ground.

Check with your local fire department first, you may not be allowed to burn in your area.

You can rent a Stump Grinder.

I have done:

• Chemical decay accellerator - after a couple three years the stump was very soft, and then a bit of easy work with an axe made it go away several inches below ground level.
• Dynamite - quickest way on the farm when clearing several stumps
• Stump grinder - quickest way in a residential area