The best way to remove a large tree stump is to dig around the roots, cut them with a saw or axe, and extract the stump manually, or use a stump grinder to grind it below ground level. Other effective options include burning the stump (with proper permits) or applying chemical stump removers.
In this guide, certified arborists from Panorama Tree Care explain when and how to use each method safely and efficiently.
Why you should Consider Removing large tree roots
There could be endless reasons why you may want to go for stump removal or stump grinding. Large tree stumps can be both a visual nuisance and a functional hazard. They often harbor pests like termites and fungi, and pose tripping dangers, especially in family yards with children or pets. Here are a few practical reasons why you should consider removing them. In storm-prone areas like Florida, these hazards can escalate quickly—making emergency tree services Tampa an important part of your yard safety plan.
Protecting your yard from pests: Cutting large tree roots is important for the health of your lawn. Withering tree stumps can spread decay and even attract pests that can cause a nuisance. There are high chances of these stumps getting infected, and once that happens, it becomes harder to protect the healthy trees and shrubs on your property. Besides, large tree stumps can also grow fungi which can be extremely dangerous for pets and children. This decay can spread to nearby trees, making tree trimming and structural pruning essential for long-term tree health.
Whether you’re dealing with an old, unsightly stump or one that’s become a safety hazard it’s often linked to prior tree removal service options, making a coordinated stump removal plan crucial.
, our large stump removal Tampa team is equipped to handle the job safely and efficiently, protecting both your yard and your time.
The cost to remove a large tree stump is less than the costs of maintaining it: Considering the amount of damage and danger these untended roots pose to your yard, it is better to get them removed by professionals. It is best to avoid spending on your health and on the health of your yard when you can easily prevent the health problems by opting for the fastest ways of removing the stumps.
They pose a safety threat in other ways: A large tree stump is not just unsightly but also a hindrance to smooth walking and playing in the yard. People, especially children, could trip and fall if such protrusions are left unattended on a residential property.
How deep is a large tree stump?
Tree stumps can go several feet deep. It all depends on how old or how big the tree was. Ideally, you should dig a trench around the stump before you can get it removed. Tree professionals can help you with this as they know how deep to dig so that it is easier and faster to get rid of the stump.
How do you get rid of a large tree stump?
If you’re wondering how to remove a large tree Stump, it is better to contact professionals who can do the job right for you. Our stump removal services are designed to handle even the toughest jobs efficiently.
For a hassle-free experience, our large stump removal services in Tampa provide fast, clean, and professional removal options—whether by grinding, manual removal, or chemical treatment.
There are several ways in which stumps can be removed. You could remove it manually, use chemicals to dissolve it or burn it to the ground. However, tree experts make use of more efficient ways to take care of it.
Here are the major steps involved in removing large tree stumps.
Quick Summary: How to Remove a Large Tree Stump
- Manual Method: Dig around the stump, sever roots with an axe or saw, then pry it out.
- Grinding: Rent or hire a stump grinder to pulverize the stump below soil level.
- Burning: Use local permits to safely burn stumps in place.
- Chemical Removal: Apply stump remover chemicals for gradual decomposition. If you’re deciding between different stump solutions, check out our detailed breakdown of the chemical stump removal process and how it compares to grinding.
Each method has pros and cons; consult a certified arborist for safety and efficiency.
MANUAL METHOD
Step 1: Expose the Roots
Digging around the stump exposes the roots, making it easier to pull them out later. Ideally, you can use a shovel or a similar tool to expose all of the large roots around the circumference of the stump. The deeper you dig, the more convenient it gets to remove the large tree stump.
Step 2: Cut the Roots
Depending on the size of the roots, you can use tools such as chainsaws, axes or loppers to cut up the roots into small pieces. You can then use hoes to wrench the remaining embedded parts out of the ground. It makes it easier to pull the stump out in the final stage.
Step 3: Extract the Stump
Once you have succeeded in removing most of the roots, you can start pulling the stump out of the ground. Keep going until you have completely removed it. Once all the roots are removed, it should be easier to dislodge the large tree stump using a huge shovel or a grub hoe. Finally, you can chop up all the wood and add it to your compost pile, filling it up with loam or sawdust. This is very important to avoid any denting in the yard.
GRINDING
Step 1: Grind!
Locate a stump grinder that can help you grind large tree stumps and their root systems to at least a foot beneath the ground. You can hire professionals for this job if you are not familiar with how to use these grinders.
Step 2: Shovel
Once the stump and its roots are taken care of, you should make sure that any remaining bits are shoveled out of the whole thing.
Step 3: Clean up
Finally, clean up the area and fill the hole to keep the ground flat. This is very important because not taking care of the hole can lead to a huge dent in the ground that can cause several problems in the future.
BURNING
Step 1: Take care of legal permissions
For this method, you need to make sure that it is legal to burn stumps in your locality. Once you are sure of it, you can move on to the next step.
Step 2: Build a fire
This is quite a simple step, where you need to build a fire on top of the large tree stump that you want to remove. Surround the stump with sufficient wood so that it stays at the center of the fire. It can take several hours for the entire stump to burn to ashes. So, you need to be patient and keep a close watch to prevent any fire hazards.
Step 3: Shovel out the ash
Once it’s all burned, remove all the ash from the whole thing and discard it. Fill up the whole thing with loam or sawdust. You might have to keep filling up the space every few months to avoid any kind of dents from occurring.
You can even go for chemical methods that destroy the stumps. It is better to take professional advice so that you can avoid any safety hazards when using chemicals in your yard. It is also crucial to know the right chemicals to use and how to use them, the precautions to take, things to expect, and so on. Follow the method that works best for you to ensure that any unsightly large tree stumps are taken care of for good.
Hiring a tree service can benefit you in several ways. To begin with, you save a lot of time and effort. As you go on with your regular life, the professionals will efficiently take care of the stumps on your property.
Also, their expertise and experience would ensure that the job is done right, cleanliness in maintained, and your property is protected from any hazards or legal problems.
Finally, hiring professionals to do the job would give you the peace of mind you need when trying to keep your yard safe and clean.
Ready to get rid of that stubborn stump? Contact Panorama Tree Care today for professional stump removal services and enjoy a safer, cleaner, and better-looking yard.
