The main ways to remove a stump

A tree stump comes out by one of four methods: digging it out by hand, grinding it down with a machine, pulling it out with equipment, or rotting it away chemically over weeks or months. Which one works depends on the stump's size, how deep the roots go, what's around it, and how much time and money you want to spend. Hand digging works for small, young trees. Grinding is the fastest for most yards. Pulling requires heavy equipment you'll rent or hire. Chemical rotting is cheapest but slowest.

Before you start, locate underground utilities. Call 811 or your local utility locating service to mark gas, electric, and water lines. A stump sitting over a line means you hire a professional to remove it—the cost of hitting a gas line far exceeds any savings.

Key Takeaways

  • Hand digging works for stumps under 12 inches across with shallow roots, and requires a mattock, shovel, and several hours of work.
  • Stump grinders rent for $50 to $150 per day and reduce a stump to sawdust in an hour, but you need to clear the area of rocks and debris first.
  • Chemical stump removers containing potassium nitrate speed decay but take 4 to 6 weeks and work best on fresh-cut stumps.
  • Pulling a stump with a truck, tractor, or winch works for large trees but requires equipment rental or a professional and costs $200 to $500.
  • Call 811 before digging anywhere to locate buried utilities and avoid hitting gas, electric, or water lines.

Hand digging: best for small stumps

Hand digging is free except for tools you may already own, but it's only practical for stumps under 12 inches across with roots that haven't spread far. Start by clearing the soil around the base with a shovel, digging down 12 to 18 inches to expose the major roots. Use a mattock (a heavy pick with a flat and pointed end) to chop through roots as you uncover them. A root saw or pruning saw cuts through roots faster than a mattock if the roots are thinner than your thumb.

Once you've cut the main roots, use a pry bar or the shovel handle to rock the stump back and forth. This loosens the remaining root ball. Keep digging and cutting until the stump lifts free. Expect this to take 2 to 4 hours for a small stump, longer if roots are thick or spread wide. After removal, dig out any remaining root pieces you can reach—they'll rot on their own but won't sprout new growth if they're below ground level.

Stump grinding: fastest for most yards

A stump grinder is a machine with a spinning cutting wheel that chips the stump into sawdust. You can rent one from equipment rental shops, home improvement stores, or landscaping suppliers for $50 to $150 per day, depending on the machine size and your location. Smaller grinders (under 13 horsepower) handle stumps up to 12 inches across. Larger ones (13 to 35 horsepower) work on stumps up to 24 inches or bigger. The rental usually includes delivery, or you pick it up yourself with a trailer.

Before grinding, clear the area around the stump of rocks, sticks, and metal (nails, bolts, fencing). These objects can damage the grinder or fly out as projectiles. Mark any underground utilities. Wear safety glasses, ear protection, and long pants—the grinder throws chips at high speed. Grind the stump down to below ground level, then grind the exposed roots. The whole job usually takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on stump size. You'll be left with a pile of wood chips you can spread as mulch or haul away.

Chemical stump removers: slowest but cheapest

Chemical stump removers contain potassium nitrate, which speeds the natural decay process. Products like Spectracide Stump Remover or Tordon RTU are sold at garden centers and online. The process takes 4 to 6 weeks and works best on fresh-cut stumps (within days of felling). Drill holes across the top of the stump, pour the chemical powder into the holes, add water, and cover the stump with a tarp or plastic sheet to keep rain out and moisture in.

After a few weeks, the stump becomes soft and crumbly. You can then break it apart with an axe or mattock and remove the pieces, or leave it to rot further. This method is cheap (chemicals cost $10 to $30) but requires patience and doesn't work on all wood species equally—hardwoods like oak decay slower than softwoods like pine. It also won't remove the root system, so roots may continue to sprout shoots for years.

Pulling with equipment: for large or difficult stumps

A truck, tractor, or winch can pull a stump out of the ground if the roots are strong enough to hold together during the pull. Wrap a chain or cable around the stump base as low as possible, attach it to the vehicle, and drive forward slowly. The stump either comes free or the roots snap. This method works well for large stumps but requires equipment you likely don't own.

You can rent a tractor with a front-end loader from equipment rental shops for $75 to $150 per day, or hire a landscaper or tree removal company to do the pulling for you. Professional pulling usually costs $200 to $500 depending on stump size and root depth. The advantage is speed—a large stump comes out in minutes. The disadvantage is cost and the risk of damaging underground utilities or nearby structures if the pull goes wrong. Always call 811 first.

Burning a stump: when it's an option

Burning a stump is possible in some areas but illegal in others. Check your local fire code and any burn bans before attempting it. Even where legal, burning works only on stumps in open areas away from buildings, fences, and overhanging branches. Drill holes into the stump, fill them with kerosene or charcoal lighter fluid, let it soak for a day, then light it. The stump will smolder for days or weeks.

Burning is slow, produces smoke, and leaves a charred hole in your yard. It also doesn't remove the root system. Most people find it impractical compared to grinding or digging. If you're considering burning, grinding is almost always faster and cleaner.

What to do with the hole after removal

Once the stump is out, you're left with a hole. If it's small (under 6 inches deep), fill it with topsoil and seed it with grass or plant a shrub. If it's deep, fill the bottom with large rocks or wood chips for drainage, then add topsoil. Tamp the soil as you fill to prevent settling. Water the area well and let it settle for a few weeks before planting.

If roots are still visible in the hole, dig them out or let them rot in place—they'll decompose over a year or two and won't cause problems. If the stump was diseased, don't plant another tree of the same species in that spot for at least a year, as disease spores may linger in the soil.

When to hire a professional

Hire a tree removal or landscaping company if the stump is over 24 inches across, sits near utilities or structures, has roots that spread under a building or driveway, or if you lack the time or physical ability to do it yourself. Professionals have industrial-grade grinders, can handle difficult locations, and carry insurance if something goes wrong. Get quotes from at least two companies. Most charge $100 to $400 per stump depending on size and location.

A professional can also remove any remaining roots and fill the hole, leaving your yard ready to plant or landscape. This is worth the cost if the stump is large or in a tricky spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to remove a stump by hand?

A small stump (under 12 inches) takes 2 to 4 hours of steady digging and cutting. Larger stumps or those with deep root systems take much longer—sometimes a full day or more. If the roots are thick or spread far, hand removal may not be practical.

Can I use salt or diesel fuel to kill a stump?

Salt damages soil and can harm nearby plants, so it's not recommended. Diesel fuel is flammable and dangerous to pour into a stump. Potassium nitrate-based stump removers are safer and more effective than either option.

Will a stump regrow if I don't remove the roots?

Yes. If you grind or cut the stump but leave roots in the ground, the tree will send up new shoots from the roots. These shoots are weaker than the original tree but will keep growing. Removing or killing the roots prevents regrowth.

What's the cheapest way to remove a stump?

Hand digging is free if you own a shovel and mattock. Chemical stump removers cost $10 to $30 and take weeks. Renting a grinder costs $50 to $150 per day but is faster. For most people, renting a grinder offers the best balance of cost and speed.

Can I remove a stump myself if it's near my house?

Yes, but carefully. Keep the grinding machine or digging area at least 10 feet from the foundation. If roots run under the house, hire a professional—cutting large roots under a foundation can cause settling. Always call 811 to locate utilities first.