Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hey, here is the deal, we have a few tree stumps(a year or so old) in the back. They range from about a foot to 18 inches thick. I want to know the cheapest(rental wise) and best way to get rid of them, and I need them out fast. I was thinking about digging down about 6 inches or so below ground level around the entire thing and just taking a chainsaw to it. If my neighbors didn't care I would just drill some holes, pour some gasoline, and let em burn but that isn't an option, at  least for one of them.

Basically, being 2 years before I leave for the USMC Reserves and then college, I want my final two Halloween displays to get onto TV(have been doing setups since I was about 5). This year I have more people(3-4) and more money, and I decided on making a ride. Anyway, we want the track down by May 1st, and since we are very crammed these tree stumps have to go. You can read more about what I have done, etc, at Halloweenforum.com, my username there is crazymjb.

Mike

There are chemicals which you can probably get from your local garden store which are supposed to speed up the rotting process. You bore holes in the stump and inject the chemical. I've never used them so I can't say how long it takes or how well it works.

Speaking from experience, unless you have dirt on top of solid rock ( I.E. The Canadian Shield) The roots from an 18" diameter tree will go down and out  way more than 6". You will have way more digging than you might think possible. The dirt and rocks will dull and possibly ruin the chain on your saw unless you are very careful about cleaning off the wood before taking the saw to it.

I just want it out of my way, level with the ground. There are roots which extend out to the side about 5 feet above ground and have a good 5-8 inch diameter. I plan on digging DOWN 6 inche or so, and then cutting it rougly level to the ground. I saw somewhere that covering it with dirt and Amonium Nitrate speeds up the rotting process...However, if I had a bag of Amonium Nitrate I just as soon mix up some ANFO and blow the thing away.

I cant wait for an accelerated rotting process, I also can't afford to rent a stump grinder, unless I can find one for like 50 bucks a day.  So... This is doable with a chain saw... Assuming I take extra care not to hit the ground? I have a few people I can probably borrow one from.

Mike

if you're gonna use a chainsaw, make sure you borrow it from someone you don't like.  cutting roots with a chainsaw dulls the blade incredibly fast.  there is a lot of grit basically sucked into the roots - i expect you'll  need to sharpen it at least once during the process.  once you pay for a professional sharpening twice (once during your project and once before you return the chainsaw to your unsuspecting friend/neighbour), you're probably looking at a cost similar to a stump grinder.  maybe you can get a deal with this being the off-season and all...

the rotting ideas won't work, and i wouldn't count on burning to take it all out.  the only other thing can think of is a shovel and an axe.

good luck.

Having seen what happens when someone who knows what they are doing makes a little mistake I'd hold off on the ANFO "solution" you just might find yourself in a world of hurt.

If you are even resonably careful you can hand sharpen a chain while it is on the saw in a couple of minutes. If you do it at each gas up its only a quick touch up and the chain stays sharp unless you hit a rock or a lot of grit. If you borrow a saw make sure the chain is sharp and the tank is full before you give it back.

If you go here :  http://www.oregonchain.com/tech/manual_maint.htm  you can get all sorts of info on chainsaw chains.

Two other "ideas" occur to me:

1. Instead of digging 6" down add 6" of dirt ;
2. Try to incorporate the stumps into the presentation

cut close to the ground with a chainsaw then rent a stump grinder

Thanks. An axe could be used for the roots, but not for the stump. I assume whoever I borrow the chainsaw from will have an axe, so I will borrow one of those too. I was kidding about the ANFO, though it is tempting.

The stump needs to go. We will be putting a track down for a cart(it is going to be a ride through), and that stump is right in the way.

Mike

Got rid of one, granted a smaller one, by boring a series of large holes into it and then attacking it with a coarse sanding tool.   Got it below ground level rather quickly considering.

I was thinking maybe a router set up on a 2X4 frame around the stump and slowly lowering the router to get flush with the ground.

Not this one. We spent 2 hours today with a drill and a 10 pound metal stamoung tool to cut the smallest root.

My other friend did say he would let me borrow his chain saw.

Mike

Wow, I botched that.  I meant stamping tool, the ones meant for packing down dirt. This root was about 4 inches by 6 inches.

Mike