Are you looking for a way to get rid of an ugly stump in your yard? Stumps are an eyesore, and removing them can be a challenging task. However, one easy and cost-effective way to get rid of a stump is to burn it.
When you follow the proper steps and burn the unsightly stump down to ash, you can remove it without much effort. With years of experience removing stumps, we at Lineage Tree Care offer some insight below on how to get rid of a stump effectively through burning.
Burning Out a Stump
Before you get into burning a stump, make sure you’re doing so legally. You want to comply with all your local laws and ordinances to avoid any fines and legal tussles. Burning tree stumps is illegal in many areas of the United States.
Burning Out a Tree Stump in 5 Steps
If you have met all the legal requirements for burning a tree stump but don’t have a stump burner, follow these simple steps:
Step #1: Dig around the Stump
Using a shovel, dig around the tree stump, exposing as much of the stump as you can. It would be great if you could expose the roots holding the stump.
Step #2: Drill Some Holes on the Stump
Attach a one-inch spade bit or any other wood-boring bit to your power drill and drill 12-mm holes all over the stump. Be sure to drill into the roots, pushing the drill bit 8-10 inches deep or as far as the bit can go. Clear the debris from the holes once you finish drilling.
Step #3: Soak the Stump with Kerosene
Pour kerosene into the holes and keep topping up over 48 hours to ensure the fuel penetrates the wood as deeply as possible.
Step #4 Ignite the Stump
After soaking the stump with fuel, surround it with several kilograms of charcoal depending on its size, put firewood on top of the charcoal, and light the fire. Knowing how to burn a stump with charcoal is key to successfully uprooting it. While you can use other materials, charcoal is the best way to burn a stump because the smaller particles fit easily under the stump to help the fire reach that area.
Stem #5 Monitor the Stump Until It Burns to Ash
As the stump burns and the wood turns to ash, keep an eye on it to ensure the fire is under control. You can add more fuel if it’s necessary. Be prepared to put out the fire with soil or water if it begins to get out of control.
Security First
If you choose to remove a tree stump through burning, be sure to do so it the right way. The whole process of burning tree stumps usually takes 12–24 hours, so you must plan to be nearby the entire time. If possible, keep the surrounding area wet, avoid using highly inflammable fuels like gasoline, and make sure the fire doesn’t catch anything else nearby.
Let Lineage Tree Care Handle Your Stump Removal Needs
If the stump is so huge and deep-rooted that burning it out might not work, consider hiring a professional with experience burning stumps. At Lineage Tree Care, we can handle all your tree stump service needs and show you how to burn a tree stump in the best way possible. Give us a call at (425) 800-8015 today to schedule a free consultation.