DIY Tree Stamp Removal Techniques
In a large number of cases, tree removal specialists have extra charges if they're expected to remove tree stumps after the tree has been cut down. This is because stump removal is a more involving activity as compared to basic tree removal.
The hands-on kind of homeowner can save on the cost of stump removal by choosing to undertake stump removal without professional assistance. This article discusses a few DIY stump removal techniques that homeowners can use.
Chemical Tree Stump Removal
Manual tree stump removal is both labour intensive and time-consuming. For this reason, many DIY homeowners choose to go the chemical route. Chemical stump removal involves the use of a tree stump killer such as potassium nitrate.
Homeowners who choose the chemical route should use a chainsaw to cut off the stump as much as possible. Once this is done, a drill should be used to make holes around the perimeter of the stump and around its epicentre. The size of the holes should be directly proportional to the size of the stump.
At this point, generous amounts of potassium nitrate should be poured into the holes before the holes are filled with water. This mixture helps to make the tree stump spongy after some weeks. The homeowner should examine the stump on a regular basis to confirm whether it's spongy enough for removal. Once the desired level of sponginess is reached, an axe will easily break up the soft stump, thereby eliminating it.
Burning Of Tree Stumps
Removal of tree stumps can also be done by burning down the stump. This stump removal technique also involves the use of potassium nitrate. DIY homeowners should drill a deep hole into the epicentre of the stump and around the surrounding area. Ideally, adjacent holes should be about an inch away from each other. Potassium nitrate should then be poured into each hole, followed by some hot water until the nitrate is dissolved. At this point, some scrap wood should be placed on top of the stump. The scrap wood should then be lit so as to ignite the stump. After the stump is burnt, a shovel can help to break up left-over stump pieces and large roots.
The homeowner should then use soil to fill up the space that was initially occupied by the stump.
There are other techniques that can be used for DIY stump removal including rotting of the tree stump. If the homeowner happens to have any reservations about undertaking DIY stump removal, professional tree removal specialists are only a phone call away.