DIY stump removal vs hiring a pro: what you take on

Can I remove a tree stump myself?

Yes, when the stump is small and you have time. Do-it-yourself removal means digging it out, letting it decay, or renting a stump grinder. Each route has limits, and the safety rules differ from route to route.

The table below shows what the sources say about each.

How does digging a stump out work?

Iowa State Extension gives these steps for stumps under about 12 inches across:

1. Dig a trench one to two feet deep around the stump.
2. Use a saw to cut every lateral root you meet.
3. Pry the stump to one side with a long, sturdy pry bar to cut roots underneath.
4. Fill the hole with topsoil and replant as needed.

It helps to leave the stump four to six feet tall for leverage, the page says. It calls the work “very labor-intensive” and says digging or pulling a larger tree’s stump “is not practical.”

Illinois Extension sets a lower limit. It says “While some information specifies trees with a 15-inch trunk diameter or less can be hand-dug, I personally wouldn’t go much over a 6-inch trunk diameter.” It adds that stump removal “with enough time, leverage, and pain relievers for a sore back” is an option.

How long does rotting a stump take?

Without help, natural decay can take 10 or more years, says Iowa State Extension. That page lists ways to speed it up: cut the stump low, drill one-inch holes spaced no more than 12 inches apart and at least ten inches deep, fill them with slow-release fertilizer (about 4 ounces per hole), and cover the stump with soil or sod. With those steps, it says, “the stump can usually be easily broken up and removed with a sharp spade after one to three years.”

Illinois Extension lists more steps, including aerating the soil, keeping it moist but well drained, adding nitrogen and covering the stump with a permeable material. Read does Epsom salt rot a stump and does stump killer work before buying a rot product. If a product has a label, follow the product label.

What are the real risks of pulling a stump?

Pulling is the riskiest of the do-it-yourself routes the sources describe. Iowa State Extension says to “use great caution when using a chain or rope to pry or pull the stump from the ground” and that “chains that slip or break while pulling can cause great harm to people and property in the area.”

Illinois Extension notes that “the internet is full of online videos where people try to pull up tree stumps with vehicles, only to be met with a pricey auto repair.” It also cites a University of Georgia source that a half-inch diameter root needs 450 pounds of force to pull from the soil, and larger structural roots can far exceed that size.

Neither page recommends pulling a stump with a vehicle.

What are the dangers of a rented stump grinder?

A rented grinder is a powerful machine with several hazards. This section uses the operator instructions for a Dosko stump grinder, posted by A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals. Other grinders have their own manuals, and the manual for the machine you rent comes first.

The Dosko instructions list these hazards:

It also tells operators to wear “ANSI-approved and OSHA-compliant safety glasses with side shields and a full-face shield,” and hearing protection. It says to work only in daylight and never leave the grinder running unattended.

This is one manufacturer’s document, not a code or a safety agency standard. No OSHA or Consumer Product Safety Commission page on stump grinders was opened for this guide, so none is cited here.

What about buried lines before I dig or grind?

Buried lines are a risk for any digging or grinding. The Dosko manual says to “know location of buried electrical and other utility lines.” Utility marking services cover public lines only. Lines you own, such as a sprinkler line, an invisible fence wire or a gas line to a grill, are yours to locate.

Ohio and Kentucky each have a one-call system: OHIO811 and Kentucky 811. This guide does not say whether the law requires a call for your job. Read do you need to call 811 for stump grinding for what the official pages state. A private utility line is not marked by the one-call service.

When should I hire a pro?

Hire a pro when the stump is large, near a house or fence, on a slope, or close to lines you cannot locate. Hire out too when you do not want to handle a rented machine or the debris it throws. Iowa State Extension says hiring an arborist to grind is the “quickest, easiest, and safest” way to remove a stump.

Iowa State also says the drawback is cost, and chip removal and hole fill usually cost extra. The guide is stump grinding worth it weighs that trade-off. For the method comparison, see stump grinding vs stump removal.

Next step

If you would rather not take on the machine, read how stump grinding works to see the process from start to finish. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.