Stump Removal Services in Melbourne
Do you have an unsightly tree stump in your yard? Or are there tree stumps dispersed all over your lawn, causing tripping hazards? You may be in need of a stump removal service. Tree stump removal is no easy task, but there are solutions that you can either do yourself or call a professional in for.
There are many ways to remove tree stumps from your property.
Manually
Manually removing your stump will take some manpower and a few hours, but once you’re done – that stump is history. This method is suggested for small-to-medium-sized trunks. To do this, you will need to use the broad end of a mattock to loosen the dirt, then remove the dirt with a shovel until you see the tree roots.
With the mattock, you will then sever the tree roots from the trunk. Continue digging and chopping until you reach the taproot, then clear the dirt around it. Using an axe or saw, you will cut the taproot. Once you have cut through the taproot, you can start to wiggle out the stump from the loose top soil. Disclaimer: this will probably take hours, but once you’re done, that stump will be gone forever!
Chemicals
Using chemicals is definitely the least labour-intensive way to get rid of a tree stump. This process does take time, especially if the stump is larger in size. Using stump remover chemicals will take at least 4 weeks, so it is a bit of a waiting game.
Typically for chemical removal, it is suggested to use a chainsaw to get the stump down as close as the ground as possible, then to drill holes tightly across the face. You then fill up the holes with water and potassium nitrate, soak the stump and the ground around it, and cover it with a tarp. This locks-in moisture and accelerates the rotting process. Cover up the tarp with organic mulch, and keep the pile moist. After 4-7 weeks, you should see some progress. At this point, the stump should feel pretty spongy. You can chop it up further with an axe and remove bigger pieces of the stump. When you feel it’s ready, cover it with dirt and make yourself a nice flower bed! If the stump is still firm, you can start the process over. If you don’t want to use harsh chemicals in your yard, you can replace potassium nitrate with Epsom salt.
Burning
As long as you follow safety measures, this process will be painless and effective.
First, you will need to drill holes in the tree stump and add your stump removal agent to the holes. Add kerosene or fuel to the holes, and soak the stump. Really allow the porous tree stump to soak in as much as possible.
Then, you light the tree stump on fire and watch it closely. Once it decreases to a smoulder, you can add topsoil to it to choke-out any of the last flames.
This is a fast method – but depending on if your property is commercial or residential, you may need to check if kerosene is allowed on your property.
Stump Grinding
For larger stumps or if you have multiple stumps that you are trying to remove, using a stump grinder may be your best bet. Stump grinders are large machines, so before renting, make sure that you have a way to transport it.
Before you get out the stump grinder, you will want to clear away any rocks or debris near the stump site. You’ll then use your chainsaw to get the stump down as close to ground level as possible. Next, wheel the stump grinder above the tree stump and refer to the operating instructions. Fill in the hole with wood chips that you just ground or topsoil, and your stump is gone!
This can be a more involved machine to operate, so do your research before starting this project or call in professional help.
Call in a Professional Arborist Service
Calling in professional arborist help is always a good idea if you are uncomfortable or unsure of how to operate these tools and machines. Stump grinding is no exception! Here at Dynamic Arborist, we are more than equipped and qualified to help remove those pesky stumps from your property. We have been serving Melbourne with our stump removal services for years.
