Unique DIY Stump Removal Methods
Stump removal in Iowa City, Iowa shouldn’t be a challenging task if you hire a professional. However, you want to try to do this task on your own, a process that may be a bit more challenging. Thankfully, there are many DIY methods that you can use that will help eliminate the stumps in your yard quickly and efficiently.
Removing a Stump By Hand
Though hand stump removal isn’t the most obvious or even practical way to manage this problem, it is still a good idea in some situations. For example, some individuals may not have a lot of cash to spend on more technical types of removal. As a result, they may want to try this method as a way of taking care of a stump without calling a professional or getting specialized help from other sources.
Trying to remove a stump in this way requires you to use tools such as chainsaws or limbing saws to remove any stray lower branches carefully and to then cut away the top of the stump using these tools. You take this step because it will help to give you more leverage when you try to pry the stump out later. You’ll need to use a shovel, a digging bar, or another type of item to perform this simple process.
Start by digging around the edge of the stump to reveal the roots and then cut them away with an ax. Push the hatchet with the shovel or digging bar to try to pry it out. Cut more and more roots as you go to pry it loose eventually. This process requires a lot of patience and persistence, so make sure that you take the time to do it properly to ensure that you get the best results for your yard’s needs.
Burn the Stump
If you don’t think that stump removal by hand sounds like it is quite your style, you can also consider burning the stump from the inside. This process does not involve flames or using excessive heat to destroy the wood. Instead, you will insert an acidic solution into the stump that will wear away the surrounding wood and either make the stump more comfortable to remove or destroy it entirely.
The simplest way to approach this process is to drill a hole into the center of the stump. The hole should be at least 8-10 inches deep and the width of an average drill bit or a little wider. Take out any remaining wood from the hole using a scoop or a blower. From this hole outward – at one-inch intervals – drill similar holes throughout the circumference of the stump all the way to its edge.
Now, you can pour a stump-burning solution – typically potassium nitrate – into the hole. At this point, you can then pour hot water into the hole until all of the nitrates have dissolved. The wood will be disappearing along with the nitrate and leaving behind a residue that you can easily scrape away. Typically, you’ll need a shovel or a similar tool to break away the wood here and get the best results.
Chemical Removal – Slightly Slower Technique
If you don’t mind waiting for a while for your stump removal – and want to avoid manual labor as much as possible – you can take this route. Drill holes in the same way as mentioned in the previous section to create a similar look. You then pour the same solution – potassium nitrate – carefully into each hole. Instead of pouring in hot water, you need to wait several weeks for the nitrate to work.
Typically, you’re going to wait for at least six weeks for the wood to become spongy and more natural to break apart. Contrarily, you can also add fuel oil to the stump and let it sit for another week to speed up the process and make it more effective. Some may even want to set the stump on fire at this point, though this is a slightly riskier option if you don’t know how to handle kerosene fires.
If you feel uncomfortable using potassium nitrate or kerosene to kill your stump, there are other chemicals that you can buy from an expert that will perform a similar task. These chemicals are designed to be more natural and work a little slower. They are the right choice if you don’t mind waiting for your stump to break down and want to protect the environment from problematic chemicals.
Rot the Tree Stump
Lastly, this stump removal method requires another approach that is quite similar to the others mentioned so far. You start by drilling holes into the stump at 8-10 inches deep about 1-2 inches apart from each other. Rather than pouring in potassium nitrate, you use a high-nitrogen substance that is typically available at most types of hardware or tree care service shops near you.
Let this substance sit for a while before you pour water slowly into the hole. As these substances sit, the stump will start to die and rot, which is a slower process that gives you more time to approach removal. As the wood gradually softens, you can use a hand saw or shovels to break apart the wood and carry it away. Make sure that you’re carefully performing this process to avoid getting any chemicals in the soil.
The easiest way to avoid this problem is to spread a tarp around the base of the stump while you work. In this way, the wood will collect on the tarp, and you can scoop up the tarp and take it away when you’re done. Throw the wood away in a safe container and wash the tarp in a way that the chemicals are collected. In this way, you can keep your soil healthy and free of problematic chemical residue.
Let Us Help
If DIY stump removal in Iowa City, Iowa sounds like a situation you aren’t too interested in trying on your own, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Fix Fabrication & Landscaping right away to learn more. Our experts have years of experience working with people like you and fully understand this process. We can also provide other care options while we’re at your home to ensure that your yard is in great shape.
