Tree stump

[cahami]

I have a tree stump that is in the way of my new garage build, Had the tree felled to about 5 foot with the intention of pulling it over 4x4 etc. ive had a good look at it and the roots are huge and go under my existing garage floorslab.
so i am thinking of cutting it down as low as possible drilling into it as deep as possible filling it with petrol and lighting it. Has anyone ever burnt out a tree stump? or is there another way? stump grinding seems expensive?

[Mobsta]

Make a tree stump house


If you lack the skills, carve out a chair.


You wont succeed in burning it out with petrol.

[AndrewW-G]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANFO


HTH

[The Moose]

We used to dig (with pickaxe and spade) all the dirt around the roots and then chainsaw through the big roots and pull the stump away with the 4x4. Worked for us!

[S1_RS]

I removed a few trees from my garden last year. The top was cut to about 4ft. We then dug around the base as deep as possible and attcked the roots with a pick-axe. We attached the tree to our Volvo towbar and tried to pull it out, this usually shows any remaining roots so you just attack them with the pickaxe again. As long as you don't mind a bit of hard graft it can be done without any hardcore tools.

[Bob_Defly]

I paid to have two ground out last year, OK, but still some of the smaller roots around.

[MJG280]

The hire shops usually have machine that sits on top of the stump and grinds it away to below ground level

[Fatboy]

AndrewW-G said:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANFO


HTH

Oh Yes

[freecar]

If you try petrol, only the petrol will burn.

A stump grinder is what you need, or the 4X4 and pick axe method.

[defblade]

I've used one of these before to break up and remove some stumps down at ground level. Not effort-free, but effective Also, pit around stump then felling axe ("In every job that must be done....") through the roots works well too

[Mr Pointy]

I found a reciprocating saw very effective to get at the roots, provided they aren't too big. Since it has quite a narrow nose you can get in under the stump & you can use the stabby blade to dig through the soil. Use a bimetallic blade though or you'll keep snapping them.

[base]

you have choices,

1)get a man with a mini digger,

2) get a man with a stump grinder

3) hire a stump grinder

4 get axe and a spade and bottle jack start digging,

i would go for option 2

[Dave Dax builder]

base said:

you have choices,

1)get a man with a mini digger,

2) get a man with a stump grinder

3) hire a stump grinder

4 get axe and a spade and bottle jack start digging,

i would go for option 2

You missed out the best one.
"Hire a mini digger". If you've never had a go in one before it will be one of the best days of your life.

Then hire a gardener, a builder, a plasterer, a roofer, a plumber and an electrician. If enthusiasm outweighs your tallent.

[knight]

I went for option 2 and I now have no tree root. Took about 10 mins and alot of noise

[lordturpin]

Its been a while but I thought i might try a question..

I have just had a 90ft fir tree cut down and the stump ground out. I was possibly looking to use the area for 3 car parking spaces as its next to my house.

Question is, the roots are still in the ground and are pretty big i guess, what would be the best paving, I wanted brick paving but i am told the roots will rot and cause minor subsidence to the area, only option is gravel or harcore maybe ? Use a JCB to dig the roots out ?

Anyone thoughts appreciated

[Renovation]

Depends how big the roots were and how lucky you are.

If could take 10yrs for big roots to rot and even then they may be deep enough not to matter.

I'd dig around with the JCB and see exactly whats there - anything big and near the surface I'd remove.

Smaller & deeper roots I'd leave.

Block paving is easy to remedy at a later date too (unlike conc / tarmac)

[Muncher]

It depends how large the roots are that are left, the roots will take yeah to rot and as they do so, other bits must fill their space.

[EggsBenedict]

^^^ This. And it's how subsidence happens in some cases. Tree that's actually propping up a house with its roots dies (or is chopped down), the roots atrophy due to rot and the house falls into the hole.

How big is the tree? I removed a tree stump with about a 2.5ft diameter from the garden with a 5 tonne digger and a dumper.

[lordturpin]

The house is 6 years old and the foundations are extremely deep due to the the house being built on a clay covered hill, i am advised the tree roots will not be an issue.

Diameter is probaly 3 foot - i think a digger is the way forward, at least to start...

[Muncher]

A stump grinder is the most effective way by far.