How To Kill a Tree Stump

Cutting down a tree doesn’t always remove it completely—its stump can keep growing, attract pests, and be an eyesore. Luckily, there are several ways to kill and remove a stump, including chemicals, covering it to block sunlight, burning, digging, or grinding.

This guide covers the best methods for getting rid of a tree stump, along with safety tips and cost considerations. Whether you want a fast solution or a simple DIY approach, you’ll find the right option to clear your yard effectively.

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Home Remedies for Tree Stump Removal

Large tree stumps in particular are quite difficult to kill and remove. Here are a few ways you can get rid of a tree stump before getting your hands dirty with physical removal.

Girdling

If your tree is still standing and you want to remove it over time, girdling is a simple method to kill both the tree and its roots.

Steps:

1. Cut a 2-inch-wide ring around the entire tree trunk.
2. Make the cut at least 1 inch deeper than the bark thickness.

This process stops nutrients from traveling between the leaves and roots, causing the tree to die completely. However, girdling often takes a year or more – so it’s not ideal if you need the tree gone quickly.

Herbicide

For a faster solution, a brush-killing herbicide with triclopyr or glyphosate is the most effective way to kill a tree stump.

Steps:

1. Apply herbicide immediately after cutting down the tree for the best results.
2. If the stump is older, drill holes or make deep cuts before applying.
3. Be careful—herbicides can kill surrounding grass and plants.

Always follow label instructions and wear protective gear like gloves when handling chemicals. Check out our list of the best weed killers to help you start.

Plastic Bag or Tarp

Small stumps can be killed by blocking their access to sunlight, which slowly starves them.

Steps:

1. Cut the stump down as close to the roots as possible.
2. Cover it with a black trash bag, tarp, or opaque container.
3. Weigh it down with rocks or bricks to keep it in place.

This is an easy, low-effort method, but it can take several months or longer to work.

Epsom Salt (Not Recommended)

When you look for DIY stump-killing solutions, the first suggestion is almost always Epsom salt. This Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is often suggested for stump removal, but its effectiveness is unproven.

Steps:

1. Drill holes about 1 inch wide and deep into the stump.
2. Fill them with Epsom salt.
3. Dampen the stump with water.
4. Cover it with a tarp to prevent the salt from washing away.
5. Repeat every few weeks for up to three months.

If successful, the stump will die and decay over the next year. Avoid using rock salt or table salt, as these can harm your soil.

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Techniques To Physically Remove a Tree Stump

If you don’t have at least several months to wait to kill the stump, you’ll need to physically remove the tree stump from the ground. Compared to “home remedies,” these methods are much quicker but take more effort, tools, and money to perform.

Use Fire To Kill a Tree Stump

Burning a tree stump will work quickly, but be aware that it is not legal everywhere, and it is not the safest method. It also won’t remove the entire stump or any of the roots. Proceed with caution, and check with your local fire department to see if burning a tree stump falls in line with the local fire code.

Once you have approval to burn your tree stump, there are a few ways you can move forward. You can drill holes into the trunk, pour kerosene into each hole, light scrap wood on the surface of the stump, and carefully monitor the wood as it burns. This method is slower, but it burns the wood from deeper within the stump.

You can also cut criss-cross lines in the wood that are about 5 to 6 inches deep with a chainsaw, then simply light some kindling on top and monitor the stump until it’s burned down below ground level. Never leave a burning stump unattended.

Dig the Tree Stump Out of the Ground

Digging out a tree stump is one way to remove it from your yard, but it requires time-consuming work. This method allows you to remove as many tree roots as possible and ensure that the stump doesn’t continue to grow. However, you must take care not to damage the root systems of other plants or trees, and you should always call 811 before you dig in your yard. To save time and effort, consider hiring a professional with digging equipment to handle the job.

Here’s how to dig a tree stump out of the ground:

1. Dig around the stump, exposing as many roots as possible.
2. Use a chainsaw, hatchet, or handsaw to cut the larger roots. As you continue digging, you may find smaller roots that can be cut with clippers or loppers.
3. Once you’ve cut all of the roots around the stump, lift and remove the stump from the ground.
4. Fill the hole with dirt and cover it with topsoil or mulch.

Note: This process will take multiple hours or even days of labor, depending on the size of the tree stump and the root structure.

Grinding the Tree Stump

This is the quickest method for killing and removing tree stumps. It involves hiring a tree removal specialist or renting a stump grinder machine to break apart the wood in the trunk and tree roots. Typical prices for this job are around $100–$400. Stump grinder machine rental costs typically fall between $80 and $150 for a four-hour window.

To grind a tree stump, start by trimming the stump with a chainsaw, digging around it and removing any rocks. Then, use the machine’s cutter blade to chip away at the wood and cut any roots that are connected to the stump. This process can take anywhere from two to six hours depending on the size of the stump. Once you’re finished, spread dirt in and over the hole, adding topsoil or mulch if desired.

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What To Avoid When Killing Tree Stumps

Some DIY solutions the internet recommends for killing tree stumps are actively dangerous or destructive. These are not worth an attempt to save a few bucks or hours on a landscaping service:

• Bleach—Bleach can be used to kill a stump when poured over it in high quantities, but we recommend avoiding this method since it can be detrimental to the surrounding plants.
• Diesel fuel—Avoid using diesel fuel or gasoline to burn tree trunks, since these solutions don’t offer a slow, effective burn needed to properly break down the wood. Diesel fuel and gasoline can also be toxic for the surrounding plants in your yard. Instead, we suggest using minimal amounts of kerosene and kindling wood for your stump fires.
• Failing to take precautions—Even if your city allows for burning a stump, monitor and maintain the fire until it’s finished burning to keep it from spreading beyond the controlled area. You should also take safety precautions when using tree removal equipment, such as a chainsaw or stump grinder, and wear the proper protective gear.
• Using herbicide indiscriminately—If your stump is located near plants that you wish to protect, be careful when adding chemicals to the stump and keep them off any surrounding plants.

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Our Conclusion

The faster you want a tree stump gone, the more effort or money you’ll need to invest. For quick removal, you can dig it out, rent a stump grinder, or hire a professional lawn care expert. While paying for expert help adds to the cost of stump removal, it saves you time and hard labor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for tree stumps to naturally decompose?

It takes about three to seven years for tree stumps to naturally decay on their own. However, the actual time will depend on your location, environment, climate, and type of tree. Generally, the lower the stump is cut, the quicker it will rot.

What are the best tree stump remover products?

Popular herbicide brands including Spectracide, Stump Stop, and Bonide make  stump killer solutions. Your best bet is to use herbicides containing glyphosate and triclopyr.

Can I remove a stump without professional help?

If you’re considering removing a stump on your own, you can rent a stump grinder to break up the wood and cut off the roots. However, hiring a professional can save you time and effort, since they’ll have the proper equipment and expertise needed to take care of your stump.

What is the best way to kill a tree stump?

The best way to kill a tree stump depends on how long you’re willing to wait. If you need to remove the stump as soon as possible, hiring a professional to dig it up or grind it is the best option. If you don’t mind waiting for a few months to a year for the stump to completely decompose, we recommend using herbicides or covering the stump with a black plastic bag.