Yellow or brown needles, dead branches, leaning off-balance…all the tell-tale signs are there. Your pine tree’s dying and needs to get removed.
However, pine trees grow differently from other trees in that their roots spread out more on a horizontal plane. Normal tree roots tend to go down and deep instead. So what steps can you take to ensure this pine tree stump gets taken out of the ground and stays out?
Well, you’re in luck. We’re here to give you this guide to the key things to know about pine tree stump removal! So without further ado, let’s get started!
Grind the Pine Tree Stump Out
One of the fastest ways to reduce a pine tree stump to nothing is through stump grinding. First, make sure to clear all the dirt and rocks away from the stump until the bottom is exposed. Afterward, you can use a stump grinder to slice away at the stump until it’s in pieces.
Leaving the roots intact is fine, as without the leaves the roots have no energy to reconstitute a tree from.
Chip Away
If a stump grinder seems too heavy-duty for you, you can also try to chip away at the stump using a shovel and ax. Dig around the stump and use the ax to sever any roots you find along the way. Once enough roots are severed, you should be able to lift the stump out of the ground using the shovel or a metal rod (if you use it as a lever).
Light Em Up
Conversely, if a stump grinder seems too tame for you, you can also use fire to help reduce a stump down to size. First, you’ll want to make sizable criss-cross incisions along the top of the stump using a chainsaw or other bladed tool.
After this, pour kerosene into the cracks and light the stump on fire. The incisions help keep oxygen flowing in the fire, so it will burn longer. You can also place a barrel around the stump and fill the gap with firewood if you want to contain the fire better.
However, it’s worth noting that fire will take time to remove the stump and some manual removal will likely be needed after.
Methods to Avoid
However, some stump removal methods are too dangerous to try at home. While scientists have been able to remove stumps in controlled settings with herbicides, they present a danger to the other plants and animals in your yard. On top of that, rainwater will spread the herbicides across the ground to affect neighboring areas.
It’s also important to abstain from any stump removal methods without the proper safety equipment. Goggles and gloves are a must, as is ear protection if you’re operating something like a chainsaw.
Tree Stump No More
With these top-tier steps to ripping out any pine tree stump that stands in your way, you’re ready to get out there and clear some trees today! If you want to get even more efficient, however, reach out to us and let us know how we can help kick your pine tree stump out for good.
