How to Remove Stumps With Acid
When you cut down a tree, a stump is often left behind. A remnant stump can create an eyesore as well as sprouting new trees and creating an obstacle to mow around. One way to remove a stump is to let nature take its course. Over time, a stump will gradually rot away. But if you don’t have time to wait for Mother Nature to do her work, you can speed the process along with an acid. There are several companies that manufacture acids specially formulated to rot away a stump.
Wait for the stump to age 1 year. Acid-based stump removers won’t work on new stumps.
- When you cut down a tree, a stump is often left behind.
- Over time, a stump will gradually rot away.
Cut off as much of the stump sticking out of the ground as possible with a chain saw.
Drill 1-inch-wide holes into the perimeter of the stump 4 inches in from the bark. The holes should extend 12 inches into the stump. Use a drill, spade bit and spade bit extension to drill the holes.
Drill a second set of holes at a 45-degree angle into the stump from around the bark’s edge. These holes should only go about 4 inches deep into the tree and should connect with the primary holes to help speed the rotting process.
Pour 4 ounces of stump remover into each hole. Top off each hole with water. The stump should rot within 4 to 6 weeks.
- Cut off as much of the stump sticking out of the ground as possible with a chain saw.
- These holes should only go about 4 inches deep into the tree and should connect with the primary holes to help speed the rotting process.
Remove Stumps With Acid
Trees in the backyard are wonderful and beautiful, providing shade and adding value to your home. Just like trees differ, stumps also differ. These differences have an impact on how difficult stump removal will be. A cut tree may be dead, but a tree stump often lives on, at least for awhile. And, some species will grow numerous new shoots from around the stump in order to repopulate the area. You can rent one, if you are handy with machinery, and do it yourself. The ground pieces of stump can be added to your compost pile. Chemical stump killers are often inserted into holes drilled into the stump. This chemical is very high in nitrogen, known for speeding up decomposition. To use potassium nitrate or any other chemical stump killer, you should first get rid of the above-ground portion of the stump. Space them densely, just a few inches apart. Note that the rotting takes months, not days. Another popular chemical used to help speed up the stump rotting process is Epsom salts. This deprives the stump of water and also dries it, causing it to rot more quickly.
- Trees in the backyard are wonderful and beautiful, providing shade and adding value to your home.
- A cut tree may be dead, but a tree stump often lives on, at least for awhile.
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Writer Bio
Tracy Morris has been a freelance writer since 2000. She has published novels and numerous online articles. Her work has appeared in national magazines and newspapers including "Ferrets," "CatFancy," "Lexington Herald Leader" and "The Tulsa World." She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Arkansas.
