Removing your tree stump after cutting down a tree is optional. However, it is recommended to avoid pest and disease infestation. Many people deliberately leave out the tree stump to transform it into platers, furniture, sculptures, and so on.
If you’re considering getting rid of your tree stump in Melbourne, you should get a quote for it together with your Melbourne tree removal job to save costs.
You’ll likely pay much more if you save your stump to be removed at a different time. The average cost of stump removal in Melbourne is about $225, but it ranges to $750 depending on the size and access.
Here are some of the ways to cut down costs on stump removal.
The average cost of professional stump removal in Melbourne is $225. This falls between $60 to $750 for a single stump. The exact cost to remove a stump from your yard will depend on factors such as the location of the stump, the size of the stump, and the amount of time needed for the job.
The cost per hour will be around $300. To get a good estimate for your stump removal cost, measure the diameter of the stump and multiply this by $2 to $3.
Stump Removal VS Stump Grinding - What's the difference?
Homeowners are sometimes left in the dilemma of whether to remove or grind the stump after cutting down a tree. To choose between these two methods, it’s important to consider the reason for removing the tree and your landscape goals.
Stump Removal
This process involves completely removing the stump from the ground with the aid of a crane or heavy-duty vehicle. Before removing the trunk, its root system is mapped out, and its connection with the roots is severed to make the removal process easy.
Stump Grinding
This is the process whereby a grinder is used to shred and grind the tree stump into chips and mulch. Based on the user’s requirement, the grinders can grind the tree stumps above and below the ground level to a certain level of depth. After the grinding, the ground is covered with mud, letting the trunk and its roots rot under the ground.
Stump Grinding or Removal - Which is better?
Removing a stump is labor-intensive work as it requires mapping out the root system, cutting it, and then using cranes or heavy machinery to pull out the trunk. This is not a straightforward job, and would require a Melbourne arborists dig around the tree stump by hand, sever the roots, then use a crane to pull it out.
While this process is relatively less time-consuming for young trees, it can be a complicated and taxing task for older trees or deep-rooted trees.
Stump grinding is much less intensive, more efficient, and more sustainable compared to stump removal. However, it does leave the tree’s roots behind and may not be the best option if you’re planning to plant new trees or build structures over the tree spot.
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Can I remove a stump myself?
The straight answer is yes, but it’s important to consider if you have the skills and tools to carry out a stump removal. If you already cut down your tree and are looking for ways to get rid of the stump, there are various ways to achieve this. Some of these methods will help you achieve this faster while others can take several weeks or months.
DIY Stump Removal Methods
Hire a Stump Grinder
If you’re looking to save time, hiring a stump grinder service might be a good idea to make the job faster. However, if you want to spend little or nothing on the job, you can also rent a stump grinder, which often makes sense if you have multiple stumps to remove and you have the training and knowledge to use it safely.
Pulling or Winching
Alternatively, smaller tree stumps can be pulled out with a winch. These can be hired but require training and the knowledge to use them safely. For leverage, it is necessary to leave a good-sized stub on the stump (up to 1.2m (4ft) high) rather than cutting it off at ground level.
Chainsaw
You can remove a tree stump with just a chainsaw by simply digging around the stump, and cutting it as low as possible. Then cut criss-cross slices into the stump 4-6 inches below ground level. Bear in mind that this can often damage or break your chain and won’t get rid of the stump completely.
Grubbing Out
Removing a tree stump by hand is a lot of work, but it saves a lot of money. If you’re dealing with a small tree stump, you can remove the stump by hand. Simply dig out the soil from around the stump to expose the larger tree roots. Depending on the size of the roots, use loppers, a pry bar, and/or a hand saw to cut them into manageable pieces and pull what you can out of the ground, clearing away as much of the root system as possible.
After severing as many roots as possible you should be able to easily dislodge the stump. You may need to use the spade to dig underneath the stump and cut a few more roots under it before you can get it out. The stump, once removed, can now be chopped up and added to your compost heap. Some roots will inevitably be left in the ground, but the majority should eventually rot down.
Burning
It is not always easy to burn down stumps in situ, as they are usually too wet to get burned straight away. It is also important to consider the time it will take and if it is in a safe place to burn. A fire pit can be the most practical and fun method. You need to put a ring of rocks around the stump and gradually burn it down. Each time you have a fire the stump will burn down more and more until it is completely gone. If you’re looking for the safest burning method, using a burn barrel is probably your best option. Just get a metal drum and cut a hole in the bottom, side, and top. Place it upside-down on the stump, add firewood to the barrel, and let it burn.
Rotting
You can also allow the tree stump to rot away gradually by simply burying it in compost and letting it sit for a couple of years. The stump would have broken down and you can then remove it with either an axe or spade.
Use of Chemicals
Using chemicals to remove a tree stump is the least labor-intensive way to get rid of it. However, this process does take time, especially if the size of the stump is large. Sometimes, it could take up to a year for the stump removal process to be complete because you are literally adding the chemical to rot the stump. However, this method is inexpensive especially if you already have a chainsaw and drill. Once you allow some time for the stump to rot, you can then remove the residue with a chainsaw, axe, or spade.
Use of Epsom Salt
Using Epsom salt is a common DIY method for killing tree trunks. It can help to decompose your tree stump in six to twelve months as opposed to three to seven years for natural rotting. Epsom salt contains magnesium and sulphur, which are beneficial to plants but deadly in large quantities. Overdosing the stump with Epsom salt pulls the moisture out of it, kills it, and accelerates the decaying process. It takes 8 to 10 weeks for the stump to die using the Epsom salt method.
Author: Ben McInerney is a qualified arborist with over 15 years of industry experience. He uses his in-depth knowledge of the tree service industry to give readers to most accurate information on tree service costs and helps to educate them about the benefits of using a certified arborist for tree trimming and removal work.
