this tree is a huge pain !!!

Ok I have started to cut down the mulberry trees that the birds gave me. well all the trees are cut down and 2 of the stumps are gone. that was some work but i did it. but now on to the big one. This guy just dose not want to leave. I have cut it down to a shorter stump now digging up the roots and cutting to get everything out. I have been digging and cutting for 45 min. and this stump will not even wiggle the smallest amount. I am taking a break lol

I hear ya... we've had the same issue over the years with various trees.
How large in diameter was the trunk? Have you tried digging a trench around the area about half way to where the previous drip line (diameter of the leaf canopy) of the tree was and using a hatchet to cut through the roots there? That worked for us on a few of the trees.

I feel for you! I had a couple of large trees topple over in bad weather a few years back. Way too much for us to handle and ended up paying a tree service to cut it all down, grind the stump and take the whole darn mess away.

the small trees were about 3-4 inches across and the big tree that is giving me a hard time is about 5 1/2 inches across. I am having to dig farther and farther back this tree has soooo many roots in every direction its just crazy..

I would love to pay someone but that would cut into my funds for the garden. things are tight as it is. so everything i can do myself is a few pennys saved

Yes I sure understand. And back then I didn't have a garden. Best wishes with your hard work.

newstart wrote:the small trees were about 3-4 inches across and the big tree that is giving me a hard time is about 5 1/2 inches across. I am having to dig farther and farther back this tree has soooo many roots in every direction its just crazy..

I would love to pay someone but that would cut into my funds for the garden. things are tight as it is. so everything i can do myself is a few pennys saved

I have had to take out more than a few small trees by hand. The way I take care of a tree the size you describe is to dig down and around the roots out a foot each way from the stump and take an ax or a hatchet to the roots, lift out the stump. I believe the rest of the roots will rot.

I my hatchet!

At 5 & 1/2 inches diameter it's a mere sapling

It's a pity you did not leave the bole ( the trunk ) as long as you could and just lop off the top above 6 feet in height , for you could have used this as a six foot lever as you sever the roots .




EDIT can you lash a 3x3 on the stump to make the lever or is it too short ???




Like as already been said you will need to dig around the stump .

I'd start by digging round the stump some four feet back & working towards the bole till you hit roots and once hitting a decent resistance from roots start digging geting down to 18 inches.

Then start working the hole in a circle around bole , once you start hitting 1 & 1/2 inch roots it's time for the magic easing liquid out the hose pipe .

Give ther bole side of the hole a good soaking last thing at night and by next morning the soils is usually quite soft and easy to work out , to let you have a chop at the bigger roots. The tap root/ s will be the most awkward for they are usually under the centre line of the bole but once you get sight of it and use the hose pipe its not long before it's fully exposed enough to chop it through from all sides the next day .



If you have eye protection , a power washer that you can get to the stump and you don't mind getting absolutley filthy , you can really got to town once the deep trench is dug & just blast the soil out towards the deep trench to expose most of the roots.

Do cut them to make at least a four inch gap in the root for you'll most likely need that gap to get to other roots underneath. I've used that method to take out far more saplings than I care to try and count.

I've also used my garage /semi industrial water suction vacuum and often used it to suck out the dissolved soil /liquid mud to leave me with a lot of quick easy working space.

I also usually used branch loppers to cut the roots out to get the gap mentioned above and only resorted to an axe in despertation as swinging one at roots can be unkind to your hands and feet big time.

A cheap Chinese rough toothed hand pruning saw also is good for severing the one or two tap roots under the stump once you have powerwasher blasted them clean and free of earth.



When you eventually get the stump free don't be a hero and try lifting it out the hole , for it could weigh far more than you think .

Instead roll it a bit to one side and back fill the hole on the side you nhave just created space in ,then roll it onto the back fill and do the unfilled bit . Keep on with this rocking & rolling till the root is level with the surrounding soil and leave the stump a couple of weeks if you can to let it lose any soil and some of its water content then roll it to one side till its dry enough to burn with the other bits to give you potash for your composting mixes .

or use the stump as a feature in your garden and let it rot away over the years.

newstart wrote:Ok I have started to cut down the mulberry trees that the birds gave me. well all the trees are cut down and 2 of the stumps are gone. that was some work but i did it. but now on to the big one. This guy just dose not want to leave. I have cut it down to a shorter stump now digging up the roots and cutting to get everything out. I have been digging and cutting for 45 min. and this stump will not even wiggle the smallest amount. I am taking a break lol

Howdy Newstart:

First take your 4 wheel drive truck fairly close to the stump. Hook a stout chain to the stump and your truck. Put your truck into 4 wheel drive Low. Ease the truck away from the stump trying not to spin your tires. Most stumps of the size you have will come right out.

When you drive your truck into your yard make sure you don't drive over septic tanks or drain lines. That could be a stinky problem. Getting a truck out of a septic tank is not what I would call fun.

God Bless, Ward and Mary.

thanks everyone for all the tips I am watering the area now so hopefully in the morning it will be nice and soft.

wardinwake as far as the 4 wheel drive do you think this will work



thats about as close as I can get lol.

no really I couldnt get a truck back there its a small back yard with no entry for a truck . but will remember that tip for the future