How do I kill a tree stump and roots?

Sara E Townsell
by Sara E Townsell

How do I kill a tree stump and roots?


  11 answers
  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Oct 27, 2019

    You can check out this post on killing a stump and roots.

    https://gardenandhappy.com/how-to-kill-tree-stumps/

  • You can still holes into the stump and pour in some diesel or round up.

  • Drill lots of holes and pour in salt.

  • I’ve drilled holes in stumps, dumped in epsom salt, watered it, and they’re done for.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Nov 06, 2019

    I find it easier -tho not economical- to hire someone to grind the stump. Equipment can be rented if you choose to diy. Various commercial products and diy hacks did nothing to deteriorate my willow stump.

  • Top Yard Top Yard on Feb 13, 2020

    For people searching for this in the future, we recently posted an article on this. People saying that hiring a contractor is one of the safest options. Cost varies on the size, but it might cost as little as $40.


    More on it here: https://topyarddesign.com/lawn-yard/how-to-kill-tree-stump/

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Sep 06, 2023

    Use this product and you should have success. Bonide

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Sep 06, 2023

    Use this product and you should have success. Bonide

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Sep 06, 2023

    Use this product and you should have success. Bonide

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Nov 07, 2023

    Begin by gathering a few supplies: a drill with a large bit or an ax, Epsom salt, water, wax, a tarp, and a shovel. Proceed to drill several 1-inch-wide holes in the stump's surface, including its aerial roots, ensuring each hole is placed at a distance of at least three to four inches. While six holes are sufficient, bigger stumps may require more. Ensure you drill down to around eight inches to allow for deeper salt penetration. Alternatively, you may use an ax to make hollows in the tree stump. Next, directly pour Epsom salt ¾ of the way up in the drilled holes and fill the rest with water to keep the salt moist. Then, plug the holes with wax. Additionally, cover the trunk remnant with a non-porous tarp to minimize rain and sun exposure so that the roots do not sprout again and the salt does its job of rotting the stump. Repeat the procedure every three weeks until the stump is dead, and dig it out using a shovel.


    If you don't wish to strain yourself by drilling holes, you can use the soaking method to remove a tree stump. In a bucket, combine Epsom salt and water in a 1:2 ratio. Generally, soaking a single tree base requires two gallons of water and one gallon of salt. Pour this solution all over the tree stump and its largest exposed roots. After drenching the stump, cover it with an opaque tarp or a plastic sheet, and add a layer of mulch on top to weigh it down. You can also sprinkle a nitrogen-rich fertilizer around the tree trunk's base to further boost its breakdown. Repeat this method at least once a week and chip away at the wood as it decomposes. Finally, pull out all the stump remnants, especially the root system, when it completely dries out. After disposing of the stump, you can repurpose the space by adding soil and sowing grass or flower seeds.