Removing a tree stump using hand tools

You can remove a tree stump without the expense of hiring a stump removal service. The process is labor and time intensive, but is just as effective as having a “professional” do it. This process is best suited to stumps less than 12 inches in diameter. It will work just as well on larger stumps, but the weight of the stump itself will require machinery to move.

You should be comfortable using the following tools:

● shovel

● axe

● pickaxe

● hand trowel

● small hand saw

● pry bar at least eight feet long (a wood 4x4 will work).

Warning: Wear eye protection when using the axe, pickaxe, handsaw, or pry bar.

The general idea is to dig down and around the stump, cutting roots as you dig. Eventually, the stump will not have anything holding it in to the ground, and can be easily removed.

To remove a stump:

1. Begin by digging around the stump. Start at the base, and work your way out about two feet in all directions while digging down. You will encounter roots and rocks as you dig--the following steps will explain how to deal with these.

2. As you encounter roots, use the axe to cut them as close as possible to the base of the stump, then cut them again about two feet away. Check for rocks in the dirt near the root you are cutting--they will dull the axe if you hit them. Some roots may be in an odd orientation or obstructed by rocks or other roots, making them unsafe to cut with the axe. In this case, use the hand trowel to clear dirt away from all sides of the root, and cut it with the hand saw. Dirt will quickly dull the saw, so avoid hitting the ground with it--clear more space with the hand trowel if necessary. If the roots won’t come out of the ground once they’ve been cut, use the pickaxe or pry bar to pry them out.

3. Rocks can usually be dug up or pried out of the ground. If they are tightly bound by roots, they will have to be removed with the roots after they have been cut.

4. Continue to dig down, cutting roots as you go. Stop when you reach a depth of approximately eighteen inches. At this point, the stump should move a little bit when you push or pry on it. If not, dig six inches deeper and cut any other roots you find. If it still does not move, use the shovel or hand trowel to remove dirt from beneath the stump--there may be vertical roots holding it in place. You may be able to loosen vertical roots by digging around them, but it is usually best to cut them with the hand saw, if at all possible.

5. Use both hands and the pry bar to push, pull and pry on the stump from different directions. The stump should continue to loosen, and eventually come free of the ground. You will probably discover more roots as the stump loosens--these should also be cut.