Hello landscapers! I have this raised planter bed along a retaining wall that has a some tree stumps that I would like to get rid. I don't have much of a budget for the backyard at the moment so I wanted to try and DIY it so I am looking for any advice and tips on how to do this.
Would it be possible to dig out these stumps? I also plan on getting rid of the wood and the old drip system from the raised bed so I was thinking I could remove that and attack the stumps from the sides and underneath, dig out all of the dirt and then sawzall the roots. Would that work? I wouldn't mind if it takes a few weekends.
Thank you!
by RulerofLatveria
7 Comments
Digging out old stumps is not a fun time or even typically possible with a shovel. You will want to use a stump puller, grind it down with a machine, or use something called Bonide Stump Out that accelerates the decomposition. Someone more knowledgeable will chime in, likely.
Have you considered burning them out? Buy a “chimney” charcoal starter to help get it going, then dump the pile of coals atop the stump. Make sure to keep an eye on it while it burns. Keep water handy and put it out before you walk away from it.
Burning not only removes the trunk, it follows the roots down and removes them too.
Sounds like a plan. Use a mattock to loosen soil from between the roots, shovel to remove the soil and as you locate roots cut them. If the soil gets really dry and hard so the mattock has trouble penetrating fill the hole with water and quit for the day.
Is it worth the effort? Unless the stumps are sprouting new growth you can still plant between them and you won’t be removing all the roots anyway. Eventually the stumps will rot and you can pull out chunks.
Yes that we ill work just fine . That is what i would do and have done .
Your plan is doable for sure. Before you get rid of the garden beds entirely, are you open to revamping them first? consider pressure washing the boards, covering the soil with cardboard then a couple inches of mulch, then in 2 months pull it back & cover with compost. Adding mulch after that is optional. You could leave the stumps if you do this or keep with your plan to pull them out.
Dynamite! The old ways are the best ways!
Pressure washer and old shop vac to dig is way easier if it’s available to you. Then sawzall as many roots as possible. Farm jack if needed at the end.