While we love the trees in our backyards, occasionally, we will have to remove a tree that has met an accident or has died. Often when we remove the tree, we are left with the tree stump, and we will probably ponder the best way to get rid of it. Although you can call on the professionals to use a stump grinder to grind the stump into wood chips, this can be an expensive option and may take longer than you wanted. Burning the tree stump is an effective way to reduce the stump to ground level. Here, you’ll learn how to remove a tree stump with charcoal!
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General Safety Tips
Check the fire regulations for your area to determine if it is legal to burn the stump or even have a fire in your backyard. Because you will be working with fire in this process, make sure that you observe all safety requirements. Clear away flammable materials from around the stump and use a rake to clear away dried leaves or small sticks on the surrounding ground. Always keep a bucket of water and a water hose nearby during the burn and back this up by having a fire extinguisher close by in case of an emergency. Build a rock barrier around the tree stump is one way to help contain the fire.
Using Charcoal To Assist The Burn
There are relatively easy ways to remove stumps with materials that you have on hand. A popular method of tree stump removal is the burning technique. It is said to be a natural way to get rid of a tree stump without hurting the environment.
Of course, the size of the stump you wish to remove will somewhat impact the process, and you might even practice on some smaller stumps initially. A hollow stump won’t take as long as a substantial stump. Using a charcoal burn to remove a stump is that it generally only takes a few days to finish the process, especially compared with other options like letting the tree stump rot in its current place. You could hire a stump grinder to grind stumps into the ground or use chemicals to remove the stump, but using charcoal to assist the burn is a way that is not physically taxing work alone and at your own pace.
Tools For Stump Removal
Removing tree stumps with charcoal requires a few tools you’ll need to gather. These include:
- Shovel
- Drill gun with a 1″ spade drill bit
- 2-liter jug Vegetable Oil
- Charcoal
- Oil
- Face mask for use while the charcoal is burning
- Gloves for lighting the match
Tree Stump Removal Process
To begin, dig around the base of the tree stump as deep as you can to expose as much of the tree roots as possible. Then using the drill with the significant drill bit, make holes in the top of the stump about 2″ apart and roughly 8″ to 10 “deep at a 30-degree angle. As well as drilling holes in the top, drill holes on the sides of the stump. Clear any debris out of the holes. Fill the holes with vegetable oil and pour vegetable oil all over the stump as well. Over the next few days, continue to fill the holes with oil, then place some charcoal around the stump and on top of the stump. Cover the coals and stump with more vegetable oil, then set the mound on fire. The more charcoal you can get into the stump and around it, the better.
As the charcoal heap burns, do not leave the area as the fire will smolder internally. Monitor the fire until the flame is out. Because of the fire’s potential to get out of control, avoid lighting the fire in windy weather. It is probably best to use this method of stump removal in the colder months, especially as you will need to let it repeatedly burn over several days. Depending on the weather conditions and the size of the stump, it is likely that you will need to repeat the process frequently over the next few days and let it burn out slowly. When the stump is thoroughly burnt out, dig out and dispose of the ashes.
Don’t Hesitate To Remove the Stump
While removing a tree stump may be daunting, the best way is to get on top of it and remember you have options. Stumps are not only an eyesore, but they do attract unwanted pests like termites. The expense to grind a stump may encourage you to use more DIY methods. Years ago, tree stumps may have just been left to rot in the ground, but you are better to get rid of the stump by using the suggested burning the stump out with charcoal approach or any other way you prefer. If using fire as your preferred method, make sure you use all safety methods suggested so that you are likely to get a good result.
