DIY Ways to Burn a Tree Stump

Old tree stumps have their beauty. They can be repurposed as a makeshift table, and some people even plant flowers in the hollowed-out insides. But more often not, tree stumps are a headache. As they rot, they attract termites and other bugs. They get in the way of landscaping and mowing. There may come a time when you want that stump gone. But how?

Removing a stump on your own isn’t a quick and easy solution. It takes preparation and patience, but it can be done. Do you have a stump that’s just got to go? Before calling in an expert, here are a few DIY stump removal methods you might try.

Method 1. Rot and burn the tree stump.
Supplies needed: Chainsaw, sodium nitrate, drill, kerosene.

• Using a chainsaw, remove the top of the stump.
• Drill a dozen or so holes into the top of the stump at a slight angle. Pour potassium nitrate into the holes, then follow with boiling water.
• Let the stump sit and soften for several weeks.
• Pour kerosene over the holes.
• Let stump soak for a few weeks. Repeat the kerosene pour a week after the first time to accelerate the process.
• Finally, dig around the stump. Rake flammable debris away. Build up a wall around the stump with rocks.
• Pile kindling on top of the stump and start your fire. If you’ve done everything right, the fire will travel down into the log’s roots and slowly burn the entire thing out. This might take a few days. Remember to keep animals and children away from the log, and check it often during this process..

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BE CAUTIOUS: When working with fire, it’s always wise to consult the fire department and follow your local burn laws. Burning a trunk down to its roots can cause a dangerous underground fire. To reduce the risk, wet the ground around your stump with a hose. A safer bet is to burn the stump only down to ground level and then douse completely with water to make sure the fire is out.

There you have it. Burning a stump on your own can be done. If you have the time and the patience (and the okay from the local fire department), give this DIY method a try. If you’re like most people, though, when you want the stump gone, you want it gone now. You simply don’t have a month to sit around and wait for that hunk of decaying flora to rot and burn.

If you live in the Buffalo, NY area and DIY isn’t your thing, the experts at Buffalo Stump Removal have the tools and the time to get your stump removed fast. We offer many stump removal services, including stump grinding and multiple stump removal. Contact us today to get the job done quickly and at the right price.