How to Get Rid of a Tree Stump

Once a tree has been cut down, you’re often left with a stubborn stump that can sit in your garden for years. Tree stumps rarely decompose quickly on their own, and some species will happily regrow from whatever’s left above ground. Whether you want to reclaim the space for replanting, landscaping, or simply to tidy things up, there are several effective ways to deal with a stump.

At MJC Tree Surgeons, stump removal is one of the most common jobs we’re called out for. Keep reading to learn the main methods available to homeowners, from digging out small stumps by hand to professional stump grinding, along with practical advice on safety, waste disposal and preparing the ground afterwards.

Why Should You Remove a Tree Stump?

Not every stump needs to come out. Standing deadwood and old stumps can be valuable habitats for fungi, invertebrates, birds and bats. If the stump isn’t in the way and you’re happy to leave it, it can benefit wildlife as it slowly decomposes.

However, there are good reasons to remove a stump sooner rather than later:

• Regrowth. Many species will send up new shoots from the stump, meaning you’ll need to keep cutting them back indefinitely unless the stump is fully removed.
• Disease. If the tree was affected by a soil-borne disease such as honey fungus, leaving the stump in place can allow the infection to spread to nearby plants. Removing the stump and its major roots helps reduce this risk.
• Practicality. Stumps take up usable garden space and can be a trip hazard, particularly in lawns or near paths. They also make it difficult to mow, landscape or build in the surrounding area.

How Can You Remove a Small Stump by Hand?

For smaller stumps from shrubs or young trees, digging out by hand is a realistic option if you’re willing to put in some effort. The key is to expose and cut through the roots systematically rather than trying to force the stump straight out of the ground.

1. Start by clearing the area around the stump and digging a trench around its base, roughly a spade’s width and depth. 
2. As you uncover roots, cut smaller ones with loppers and use a pruning saw on thicker roots where they join the base. Removing a short section of each root, rather than just cutting through it, gives you extra room to rock the stump back and forth.
3. If the tree was cut with some trunk left above ground, you’ll have useful leverage to work the stump loose. 
4. Once the main roots are severed, you should be able to rock and twist the stump until the remaining roots snap, allowing you to lift it free. F
5. Fill the hole with the excavated soil and firm it down.

Always wear strong boots, thick gloves and eye protection when digging out stumps, and take your time. If the stump is too large or firmly rooted to shift by hand, it’s time to consider other methods.

What Is Stump Grinding?

Stump grinding is one of the most effective and efficient ways to remove a tree stump, particularly for medium to large stumps where digging out by hand isn’t practical. A stump grinder uses a rotating cutting disc to chip away the stump and its main root plate, reducing everything to fine sawdust well below ground level.

Shallow grinding (to around 20–25cm below ground level) is normally sufficient if you’re planning to lay turf over the area. For replanting or landscaping, deeper grinding to at least 30cm is recommended to give new roots enough clean soil to establish in.

Stump grinders can be hired, but they’re powerful machines that require experience to use safely. For most homeowners, hiring a professional tree surgeon to carry out the work is the safest and most straightforward option. Where access is tight (for example, a stump in a back garden with narrow side access) smaller machines are available that can be manoeuvred into confined spaces.

Can You Use Machinery to Pull Out a Stump?

For larger stumps that can’t be dug out by hand, mechanical options include winching and mini excavators. 

Winching

The stumps of smaller trees can be pulled from the ground using a winch, provided there’s enough trunk left above ground to attach to. When hiring a winch, make sure the load capacity matches the size of the stump. This method works best when the major roots have already been partially cut through.

Mini excavators

For bigger jobs, a mini excavator can make relatively quick work of stubborn stumps. These can be hired with or without an operator, but you’ll need sufficient access to get the machine to the stump. Tracked wheels can damage lawns, so laying ground protection boards is advisable.

Both methods involve heavy equipment and should only be used if you’re confident in operating them safely. If you’re unsure, a professional will get the job done without the risk.

Can You Burn a Tree Stump?

Burning is sometimes suggested as a DIY stump removal method, but it’s not one we’d generally recommend. Fresh stumps are usually too wet to ignite easily, and the process is slow, difficult to control and potentially unsafe — particularly in gardens close to fences, sheds or other structures.

If you do consider burning, keep the fire contained within a ring of rocks or use a metal burn barrel placed over the stump. Bear in mind that it will take multiple burns over several sessions to make any meaningful progress, and you’ll still be left with charred remains to clear up.

Will a Tree Stump Just Rot Away on Its Own?

Eventually, yes — but it can take many years, and for some species, the stump may never break down enough in your lifetime without intervention. You can speed up natural decomposition by burying the stump in compost and leaving it for a couple of years, but this is a very slow process and won’t prevent regrowth in the meantime from species that sucker readily.

If the stump is tucked away in a quiet corner and isn’t causing any issues, leaving it to decompose gradually is a perfectly reasonable choice. You can even plant around it or use it as the basis for a garden feature. But if the stump is in a prominent position or you need the space, active removal is the better option.

What Should You Do with the Waste?

Once a stump has been removed, you’ll typically be left with a hole, a quantity of wood and root material, and possibly a fair amount of sawdust if grinding was used.

• Wood and roots. Healthy wood can be cut into logs and stacked as deadwood habitat for wildlife, stored for firewood, or taken to your local waste recycling centre. Thinner roots cut into short lengths can be composted at home.
• Sawdust. Small amounts can be added to a home compost bin, layered between green waste. Larger quantities work well as a thin mulch on established beds, but avoid digging sawdust directly into the soil — it can lock up nitrogen and cause nutrient deficiency in plants for up to two years.
• Filling the hole. Use good quality topsoil to fill the space left by the stump. Firm it down, rake it level and leave it to settle for a few weeks before topping up to match the surrounding ground level.

Get in Touch with MJC Tree Surgeons

If you’ve got a tree stump that needs removing, MJC Tree Surgeons can help. With over 30 years of experience and stump grinding equipment (including smaller machines for sites with restricted access), we can make short work of any stump and leave your garden ready for whatever comes next.

All our work is carried out to British Standard BS3998:2010, and we recycle up to 97% of all natural materials we collect. We offer free, no-obligation quotes and are always happy to talk through your options. Whether you’re in Southampton, Winchester,  or anywhere across Hampshire, contact us today.