How to Remove Tree Stumps | Ask This Old House

[@danrussell_official]

“Backbreaking work” sums it up pretty nicely. Gave a try removing two stumps today in my backyard with just a 4lb axe and a steel mallet. The stumps won today, but I did a little bit of damage to em

[@jefferyschic]

I got a huge oak stump when you're done!

[@ultraali453]

Similar situation. Will be back later.

[@jtyree0226]

Been 3 years, Stump still there?

[@wfdix1]

One weekend in Texas, I needed to pull up a magnolia. It was taking me awhile to get it to wiggle, until I realized there was no music. Once I had ZZ Top playing, ten other guys showed up with four cases of beer. We had it up in ten minutes, and then listened to Billy and the boys play for another hour.

[@loumonte658]

Deguello.

[@JennBX1]

😂

[@davidbaynes7399]

As usual, This Old House comes through. This was the best and most thorough 'manual stump removal' site on the internet! Thank you! Keep it going.

[@jefferyschic]

What about the roots? Decaying and causing sink holes?

[@Yuna69able]

yeah i thought the same thing, best video on youtube

[@randomscooter1]

I've been watching a lot of stump removal videos, and you are the first one who does it the right way. Digging it out is far quicker than burning, chemicals, etc. And it does a far more complete job.

[@billsmith2041]

I used chemicals on mine....wated about 6 months, and it was as soft like styrofoam....came out with a minimal effort.

[@joshgill6107]

Or you could do it the right way with a stump grinder🤣🤣🤣

[@joshgill6107]

@@dancooper6002 yes because people want you setting off explosives in there back yard lmao. Lay off the crayons

[@joshgill6107]

@@dancooper6002 you clearly are missing the point god bless MURICA

[@RCPSU4]

I'll just cut it lower and have a stump grinder on the back of a compact tractor.

[@meisterdiyer3491]

2:46 His face after he did all the work and they have a power tool LOL

[@soolly357]

He died inside

[@spayced]

looks silly but the point is to illustrate to the viewer what different tools would work for the job.

[@phillz5782]

He played the ish out of him...ROOKIE🤣🤣🤣🤣. Should've used that in the first place🤔🤔🤔

[@kingraiderr]

That face should become a meme.

[@mattbrock9491]

Better to just dig the stump out but your gunna break your back

[@shelster9967]

Awwwwwwwww. I love Roger. He always made me smile. RIP , big fellah.

[@phidip2328]

I just removed a stump today after watching this video. I had already started to remove it yesterday but thought I was doing it wrong, but it turns out I was on the right path. However, this video did help me to realize that I needed to dig even further under the roots. Basically, all it took was a shovel and my $20 battery powered, refurbished Ryobi recip saw.

[@IAmNotAFunguy]

RIP Roger Cook. We learned so much from him and he always made sure landscaping seemed easy.

[@ATAHUALPA867]

Thank God . I came across this video . Bought a reciprocating saw and was able to remove 2 out of 3 spruce stumps . They had many roots. Thanks again.

[@guy-tn2ud]

This is a classic manual job, I actually enjoy work like this. However, I use a reciprocating saw on the larger roots. I bought it when I had to dig a 100 foot plus trench by hand in a wooded area, I though that one job would kill the saw, but I still have it. It's covered in dirt and has removed stumps, and helped me dig two more trenches too!

[@barkershill]

Just watched about six videos on this subject . This one is the best , you obviously know what you are doing . Congratulations from England

[@rogerpullin8997]

Back in the day, before I had an excavator I removed many stumps, one trick I used was a come along and keep tension on the stump while digging, sawing chopping, very rewarding work when the stump would finally start to wiggle, this come along requires a tall stump and a very stationary object to anchor it to

[@gregtr82]

I went to Home Depot & asked the associate where they keep the “law-puhs“. He just stared at me

[@fayrayrita2223]

Lolololololololololol. Don't forget yod

[@williamgray3740]

I think those are Cindy's loppahs! Lol I love the East coast. Like pawk caw, winda, wata.

[@gamerfan81]

No you didn't

[@davem145mxr]

Greg R they keep them in the yahd

[@rcppop3090]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@glchavez1]

I've watched so many video on how to remove my tree stumps, but this is hands-down the best! Thank you!

[@daddyrabbit835]

I've done about 7 stumps in my yard before watching this. It turns out I've been doing it the right (but labor intensive) way. The best thing... I don't need to go to the gym afterwards.

[@jorgeochoa223]

Dan Vaught also use water you be surprised how much easier it is when you wet the floor and dig out the mud vs digging out dried dirt

[@mataskart9894]

@@jorgeochoa223 the dirt is wayy easier... If you spill water, it just soaks into the dirt and makes it double as heavy

[@ManVWorld247]

That’s what I like bro. I want that hard work aspect.

[@zazarays]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattock

[@davec.3198]

@FactsOverFeelings Matter Absolutely no one digs out stumps manually for a living.

[@crispinjulius5032]

They make this look easy. There is nothing easy about removing a stump. I’d put the difficulty up there with planning the Normandy invasion.

[@thenatashaverse]

😂😂😂

[@SteveRotheGarden]

Now, that is the way to remove a stump. I did this with a 65-ft linden tree's stump, 4' wide, over a few weeks, and really enjoyed it, exploring the root system in the soil. Chipping leaves chips in the soil, and leaving roots leads to sunken ground as they rot.

[@skulder_truth6541]

You guys made this look so easy. I just spent the past 6 hours trying to get rid of a stump and am so far unsuccessful. It is brutal.

[@hellebelle]

is it still in the ground?

[@benh7406]

Did you use lawpaws?

[@Gos1234567]

Yea all these stump removal videos the roots don’t seem to go down that far.They seem fake

[@enkrypt3d]

i love how he makes him use the hand saw first knowing full well he had the electric saw right next to him!

[@ultraali453]

Yeah well that's for those of us who have to cut em with a saw

[@ZVvereVvolf]

This dude's accent is amazing. I love this video.

[@escapefromny2012]

A ricip saw is my favorite tool for hand-clearing small trees and bushes from a lot.

[@ejeanroh377]

I love reciprocating saws! I’ve female and don’t have the muscle power for saws and sometimes loppers...

[@michaelgallagher1825]

Roger: "Here you use this old dull hand saw that I don't use anymore while I use the powered reciprocating saw with a brand new blade". Homeowner:. "Thanks dad!"

[@f8c3themusic]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

😂

[@martinradtke5181]

I’ve removed a lot of stumps but key is knowing tree hardness (pine vs oak) and root depth and growth patterns (shallow silver maple vs white oak tap roots). For large hardwood stumps it’s best to chainsaw close to ground and rent stump grinder. Good advice to remove all wood chips and replace with topsoil; otherwise grass won’t grow.

[@PlumbingPredator]

Do you only have to remove the big roots and the stump or also the medium/small roots too?

[@sammied6486]

It's 1:21am. I have no idea how I ended up at this video. But that guy's voice is very soothing.

[@269adventures]

And you might be gay lol 😆🤣

[@George-rl3qx]

Reciprocating saw! What a master. Great idea.

[@markproulx1472]

Gotta love CAAAHBIDE TEETH!

[@351cleavland]

Don't forget the roots getting cut by the lahhhpahhs.

[@mhildack]

And the reciprocating sar

[@royalt3690]

We used to chop roots for years at work with a mattocks. I finally tried a sawzall and it was so easy.

[@CrowT]

Ive always wanted to use a shahhpend end of an iyon diggah baaah instead of laahpuhhs and a cutting wheel with caaahbide teeth...

[@YoRayBurger]

lmaooooo.

[@TheBrentdog]

In the gaw din

[@cnigeldgriff6283]

Lmao

[@jesusojeda6310]

I laughed out loud for 2 mins, my gf asked whats wrong with you? That was good

[@JamesDornbos]

@@jesusojeda6310 Same reaction from my wife when I did. LOL

[@Hannibhaal777]

Classic roger lets the homeowner do all the work

[@philisbramlett6890]

Thank You so much . I don't know if I can do it but , it's certainly worth a try . I have more time than $ so , if I can I'll do as much as I can . You make this seem reasonable , affordable , and I noted you're using all safety measures 🙂 . You obviously put so much thought in what you teach your viewers ...🕯. I appreciate All of You so Much ❗ Have a great day 🌤.

[@helenwilks4304]

Phillis I too have more time than cash. I have a rotten pecan tree next to my house that I have been “working on” for years now 5! It’s like sponge on inside but granite on outside! I have no tools so just shovel and and handsaw!

[@kenchall6503]

This old house comment sections are the best on the tube

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Yea, i love reading how Roger/Richard/Tommy are morons who know nothing about their trade, coming from keyboard warriors.

[@JosueMartinez-wd3yu]

God bless for this program. Didn’t care too much until I got my own house and that’s when reality kicked in 😂

[@GregCameron2008]

a pruning blade on the reciprocating saw, nice tip! i'll use that one for sure!

[@dlhomeimprovement664]

I agree, great advice!

[@AcutePanic41]

I love doing this! I had a 5 old tree stumps in the garden... had the time of my life. I've even helped the next door neighbour get rid of some of theirs.

[@zazarays]

wtf

[@mickeybecraft5965]

I've done my share of stumps by hand. The one thing I noticed is they didn't get very dirty. I know I get covered Head To Toe with dirt wood chips and that stump never rolls out like that the first time you try.

[@GasMaskManPNW]

There's always a root still hooked. Always. Lol

[@jacobmacdavid6803]

finally an honest video of how to handle tree stumps. Good vid

[@greenwisetreesurgeonsllc9699]

That’s sah-chasm

[@GordoGambler]

There's another way that I found to get rid of a tree. Get a 1/2" drill bit 8" long or so. It'll turn smaller trees into swiss cheese easily and pushing sideways cuts too. That can cut thru 8" under the dirt as well. It speeds up the rot for sure. Just have to be careful, the bit can grab and torque your thumb.

[@MrKfq269]

Straight to the comments. "Chainsawr" "Iann digging baa". Love it.

[@taqveem]

I dug out a stump of a small tree in my garden, wow, it was still hard work.

[@Mayosup]

Wow, Roger makes the homeowner use a hand saw when he had an electric saw all this time...

[@mrsticky005]

The whole point is showing how much easier the power tools make the job

[@nyratk1]

And for those who can't afford the power tools but have hand tools.

[@markpaul7713]

and to top it off......he using a corded reciprocating saw......i guess battery powered tools werent invented back in 2016

[@karatekick66]

what moron doesn't already know that? that's the point of power tools. @@mrsticky005

[@iLikeC00kieDough]

Mark Paul psh. Corded tools will always deliver more power than battery tools. Less convenient but way more consistent power

[@ILC-eo6vk]

I had 7 stumps removed for $400. 5 were wider than this one and he was in and out in an hour. The grindings make good fertilizer.

[@AlexGray]

Great video but in my experience I would not have wasted my time renting the stump grinder for that size stump. Using a pick axe on stumps that size works wonders, use the pointy end to split it down the middle then the flat end to pry it out. It’s backbreaking but so is loading/unloading a stump grinder. Also you won’t be able to backfill a large stump like the first one with the existing dirt. With the roots being gone and that dirt being loose that area will settle and leave a dip, you’ll definitely have to bring in some soil to top it off and keep it level.

[@YoRayBurger]

Anyone else just enjoy watching these videos for fun? Reminds me of watching old HGTV programs with my mom when I was a kid.

[@sharpshooter012345]

"This hand saw is alot of work" He didn't even cut one root 😆

[@secondstance3380]

Now, He's the "proud Owner of a Stump". (3:51) "Thank you.". - 3:55. Plum. - 🤣

[@dlamarsobotor4573]

Well in theory methinks !

[@johnmartinez7440]

How do you know how much he cut, from this heavily edited video? Were you there watching in person?

[@Gaspipenicklioni]

Man I miss Roger.

[@nobackhands]

What I do is dig around the stump, place bricks around it and turn it into a bar-b-q pit. In time it will burn below ground level, Cover with dirt

[@Bikersupport]

thats idea burn the stump.

[@lukeparsonsworldchampiongo5279]

Great idea

[@4WorldPeace2]

We had a big windstorm that blew down our old good-neighbor-fencing last fall. In preparation for the fence contractor to do his work, we felled the 16-20 foot high growth leaving the exposed the stumps about 16-inches above grade. Some of the stumps had grown to as big as 24-inches in diameter. After pricing the stump-grinder option, we decided on using the 12-inch long carbide-toothed sawzall blades by Diablo. It was muddy work that only a contortionist could appreciate but after the roots were cut, we used a chain, a shackle, and a tow strap connected to a tow hitch with a shackle to pull the stumps out of the ground. Several of the stumps were stubborn to pull which meant we initially missed some roots but after the corrective discovery, all went well. Lucky for us, the work was located in our front yard and close to the street in-lieu of the backyard. We were able to clear all the stumps prior to the fence contractor mobilizing to complete his work which also helped for easier spring soil preparation, not having to worry about undermining the integrity of our new fence.

[@melanieinsaskatchewan7964]

I will use nothing but Diablos now. They are worth the price asked.

[@reprintranch]

Another vote for Diablo. I took out the stumps and roots from a patch of giant timber bamboo that a former owner planted in my back yard sometime during the Kennedy administration, and Diablos performed like champs.

[@AK-ru3sg]

Wish these had been around when my kids were under 10 - would have been perfect for them to learn basic, common sense stuff. Thanks guys and keep up the good work.

[@jamesgraham7083]

WAYYYYYYYYY TOO MUCH LABOR FOR ME!! THANKS THOUGH GUYS!!!

[@timwebber8630]

Homeowner: "So, Roger, what is a better tool for lopping off the roots?" Roger: Well, hahahah, ya dah wanna hah da ba? Huh? hahaha! Let me ha da bah on dah bamma da.

[@mouaxiong8618]

Gotta love Roger, his accent and his skills

[@esobeegarage]

This comment still has me in stitches days later lol!

[@Raheela365]

Hahaaahaaaahaahahah🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@highdesertexplorer123]

I’d love To listen to a conversation between Roger and Boomhauer. Love this old house and I’m really going to miss these guys once they all retire.

[@redcoat192]

Roger Cook = Legend!

[@kimchee94112]

Used both that wood blade with a recip saw and chainsaw. Actually the chainsaw chain is cheaper as it could be sharpen many times plus much faster.

[@melanieinsaskatchewan7964]

But if it hit the dirt, you run the risk of damaging the bar. Bars are far more expensive than CHAINS to replace.

[@PurelyTiffany]

This was so helpful, I’m going to use these tips when I cut down my tree, thank you :)

[@johnathandoerty1021]

Legend has it that He spent hours trying to hand-saw that single root --- 😆...

[@mmadison1972]

I had to dig up a stop and one thing that I did that help tremendously was after I had dug down a little ways I got my pressure washer with the most powerful nozzle on it and I just washed away all the dirt that was hanging to the limbs are the roots and that made it easier for me to get the stump from there

[@deewhyy7012]

“Wanna use a chainsaw!?” 😂😂 he was excited

[@raymondhill3]

Try this: Get a heavy digging bar, shopvac and a sawzall/chainsaw. Use the bar to loosen soil, use the vac to suck it up all the way around the root (top and bottom). Then chop the roots completely free of dirt. You can hose the roots down if you wish them extra clean and then chop them after the water is gone. I like to cut big roots twice and take out a section so it doesn't bind when the stump is overturned and removed. You'll find the bar will help you to more easily discover "hidden" roots. Good luck!

[@larryseibold4287]

i like your technique. i wish i could find what i thin is called an air auger to simplify the root exposure part. I think it takes a massive air compressor (100cfm@90 psi). I like the 12" carbide pruning blade for the Sawzall method. I also think that an axe is pretty useful if done right. I am still working to find the best home method to "lower" a few inches large horizontal roots.

[@raymondhill3]

@@larryseibold4287 I've taken out roots of 10 inch diameter with my simple technique described above. I needed to use the chainsaw for them so needed them well clear of dirt. I found the shopvac cleared the dirt fast enough for me. Good Luck with the Battle!!!

[@andrew5184]

“You’re the proud owner of a stump.” That’s what she said... :-(

[@rpwbass]

"Thanks!" - John Bobbit

[@VictorHernandez-xh8uu]

When he started hand sawing I was like get in that hole and really put effort

[@johnjuhasz9125]

Victor Hernandez first time he ever did any work. Ever. Can’t cut a 3 inch diameter piece of wood with a hand saw. I have no words.

[@JackEnHoff247]

I used my neighbors 1970s lifted Ford and a logging chain and yanked a hickory stump out out on first pull.

[@karldias1415]

Use a sawzall but I used the long construction demo blade for wood with nails. You can go all into the dirt and the blade does not dull.

[@frauhorn]

use a mattock for everything - digging, cutting small roots, big roots. It's the tool to rule them all.

[@morrismonet3554]

No, that would be my backhoe. LOL

[@wojo6567]

I was rooting for these guys.

[@mixsonhaulinganddemollc8296]

My side is hurting from these comments 😂😂😂😂

[@nickwessel4344]

What a nice autumn day

[@jacklabloom635]

These are far safer methods than what my neighbor, Leon, and I did to remove a big pine stump next to his cabin. I wrote all about it so no one would ever again use the stump removal method we tried.

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

Do give us a hint. I think the statute of limitations has run out.😊

[@ordinaryretrogamer6944]

​@@JohnnyArtPavlouprobably tannerite

[@notyou1877]

When I was young, I did that just like you're showing. I got wise over the years and now I use a backhoe or pay s ok meone to grind them out for me.

[@Malicos]

Me too. I keep my spare back hoe next to the garden for just such the occasion.

[@Maxid1]

Ya know, if you take a hose to the root ball it cleans it up for the reciprocating saw. If you have a wet dry vac you can run the muddy water back into the yard getting rid of the dirt at the same time.

[@gmoorach]

I stopped using pruning reciprocating saw blades for roots. They dull too quickly. I now use blades with carbide tip teeth. They last much much longer. Every so often, I find myself cutting through a rock before realizing I am. But, the blade is still good. Rock will round the teeth on a pruning blade.

[@davemackowski1275]

When I’ve done this, I just used an axe on the big roots. Easy

[@christophermercon3277]

Gonna miss this guy.

[@anthonydeandre84]

What prevents the trees from growing back or saplings from popping up?

[@ByronTexas]

The fact that it’s dead.

[@jesseramos9091]

Cutting roots is essentially a must,then use a tire with wheel intact,wrap stumproots with chain draped over tire,then hook on to trailer hitch on truck and slowly drive away with stump in tow.there you have it

[@stochastic24]

"It's just too big for tha lappas"

[@marilynm8812]

Enjoyed with fond memories.

[@DAS-Videos]

And magically the stump was suddenly loose.

[@benclarkson4205]

After the camera crew towed it atttttt with their crew truck

[@reptileguardian941]

Lmao shoulda rocked that thing back and forth a few times at least. They just made it look ez. It's not easy. I've dug out a few stumps in my life.

[@Wild-Dad]

The wonders of video editing. LOL

[@tzermonkey]

@assassinlexx Let it rott. Throw fungus or mushroom spores on it. Bury it under a bed of leaves; the heat & fungus will it away at it quick.

[@baltsosser]

Yeah. Not until you get underneath and cut all the vertical and tap root is that coming loose.

[@brucemalakwa]

After all the visible roots have been cut stick a 3 ft Jackall on a piece of scrap wood under the stump and start lifting it with a jack, easier then pulling it manually or wrecking your 4x4 which a lot of people do.

[@benmenke]

You had a reciprocating saw the whole time?

[@steelhere5519]

Roger playing games.

[@l9ikjam]

I got rid of a tree just by packing mulch around it. The roots started coming out of the dirt on it's own. It eventually died and I just kicked it over and the roots just came all the way out. It wasnt as thick as the tree in the video but still a nice size

[@ericmodica]

My man's dressed like a Brooks Brother's ad to remove a tree stump.

[@は私です彼の名前]

eric modica 😂🤣😂Well dang, he wanted to look good on camera!

[@NickNugget123]

I know right. 😆

[@bblakester69]

Yeah, he doesn’t get out much.

[@blatherskyt]

To be fair, if you had a thought that 100,000 people would be looking at you... you might wish to wear your best clothes. ... let alone 1.6 million+

[@alderusdmc]

Awesome alternate method: C-4

[@rupe53]

Somebody needs to make an hour long video with the various ways to get rid of a stump and let people vote for the best way at the end. Guess they'd need a building lot with maybe 100 stumps as a starter. After that we can use a truck bumper, (with and without wetting the ground) farm jack, all the variations of other jacks, saws-all, chain saws, stump grinders, fire (assisted burn and free burn), maybe a few with dynamite, automatic weapons, etc. As a finishing touch maybe a few that were drilled out and left to rot, while filling the time using heavy machinery on a few more. Winning categories could be most laughable, most creative, most work involved, and genius level. (no sweat)

[@malavoy1]

You forgot dumping a bunch of corn cobs on the stump and renting some pigs. They'll eat the cobs stump and all. 😁

[@mikeratkowski3506]

Wow all beautiful soil no rock, only on TV

[@davenz000]

Ask this old house drinking game, take a shot whenever someone says "sounds good". I'm drunk already.

[@st7650]

I would recommend the Barrito hydraulic stump grinder those methods mentioned here are very hard back breaking labor. The Grindr they used is for very small stumps. Hydraulic grinders are the only way to go makes the job easy peasy. I can do a stump in one hour or less depending on how big the stump is.

[@zomeister8367]

Just dig a hole underneath the stump, get a jack and crank it out of the ground. Works faster

[@pmnelson81]

hmmmm i wonder how well this would work....i have a smaller stump i need to remove...maybe 8 inches in diameter.

[@teamhex]

Love the fire idea, but would hate to deal with the cops and firemen in my town. You could put a BBQ pit over it so no one noticed. Would be a nice easy way to do it.

[@husseinkemal1194]

teamhex terracotta pot put a hole in the front for air

[@gxxxbxxx2858]

heavy axe for the roots, bottle jack and crow bar for the stump

[@harvardmurrayinc]

Had to let him do the real work on the big stump so he could appreciate the stump grinder on the others. 😆

[@deletesoon70]

I have a few good project ideas for that stump, that would clean up nice into a table base for one.

[@andthesunsets]

No non-sense gardening explanation. Great vid!

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

Neat trick, cut a few roots, hook up my F450 to it and it popped right out.

[@swss12]

ever tried pullin it out with a pickup?

[@litote9]

Very useful.. I was stumped (get it?) on how to go about this.

[@imisspresidentreagan]

This would have been better if the homeowner was shown while holding a Starbucks latte.

[@brucemartini2288]

set 1 handle of loppers on ground, push down slowly on other. to cut thicker stuff

[@jdh023]

One word. Dynamite!

[@CyberFenix000]

I was getting so pissed with my stumps, I was thinking of fire.

[@rbeck3200tb40]

Put a bunch of hot charcoal briquets on the stump It will burn it to the ground in several hours

[@tonybreeze8516]

From Nottingham UK. Pass this suggestion on to the next generation : get one or two car jacks underneath and start pumping ... They worked for me and should work for you.

[@mymathmind]

Next episode - how to use a rake!!

[@AxcelGamer97]

Going to Harbor Freight for those pruning saw blades for my reciprocating saw. I can get 5 of them for $9. Definitely worth it.

[@MrJamesBanana]

The channel Project Farm has been doing some great tests on blades for reciprocating saws. Not pruning blades unfortunately, but i just checked his video for demolition blades, and it seems Avanti is the best value. Not much more expensive than Warrior (Harbor Freight) but lasts much longer and cuts quicker. Just search youtube for "project farm sawzall" and you should find the tests :)