Options For Removing A Tree Stump

After cutting down a tree, the stump that remains can be both an eyesore and an issue with planting other desired shrubbery. There are a few different ways you can have the stump removed, either professionally or on your own.

Consider the Cost of DIY

Many people think that the best option to remove the stump would be to do it yourself, to save money. While this could be a good option, the time and effort involved could be of some issue. Be sure to compare the cost of having professionals remove the stump with renting or buying the materials you will need to do it on your own.

Factors that Determine Professional Cost

The most common method that companies use for stump removal is to grind it down, producing mulch. This mulch can be left and used by the customer or cleaned up by the company, at an additional cost.

Most stump removal companies will charge by diameter of the stump, around $2-$3 per inch. A standard minimum charge is around $100. The other factors that are considered in your final cost will include:

  • The age of the stump
  • The condition of the soil
  • The type of tree
  • The root system
  • Any desired cleanup

Options for DIY Stump Removal

Depending on the size and root system of your stump, there are a few options for removing it yourself. You can dig around the stump and haul it away.  This option is best if the roots of your stump are short and easily exposed with some digging. 

Another option is to grind the stump yourself, using a rental stump grinder. Stump grinders can be rented by the day for around $100 - $250.

For smaller stumps, you can burn it down by adding more wood around the stump and keeping a fire going for as long as it takes to disintegrate the stump.  Keep adding wood to keep the stump at the center of the fire burning the whole time.

Chemical stump remover can be purchased for $4-$20 at most home improvement stores. This is a good option to use if you don't need the stump removed right away. You'll need to drill holes into the stump and pour the chemical into the holes.  This prompts the stump to rot within a few weeks. Once it has softened, you can chop up the rest of the stump with an axe, or burn it.  Be sure that pets and children have no access to the stump with this option, as the chemical compound is toxic.

For more information on removing stumps, contact a company like Brandywine Tree & Shrub.


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