Stump Removal by Brute Force - Just an Axe and a Shovel!

Skip your workout for the day and just remove that stump with an axe and a shovel. If you're a bit cheap like me and don't like being inconvenienced by having to make an appointment to do something that will likely be done wrong, this method is for you. This method does require a bit of fitness, some strength, and a little axe experience so you don't hack off your leg, but like I said, just skip your workout one day and do this instead. This method works pretty well for Colorado Aspens. Not sure about other species. This tree was 25-30 years old.
I removed this stump (and 2 others this way) to build a fire pit area. Check out the final result here: • Backyard Transformatio...

[@DanKrischke]

I have dug out 5 or 6 stumps on our place over the last 20 years. I am now 74 and have 1 or 2 more to dug out shortly. It is very, very good exercise and and I also have several mini dachshunds who are always ready to help (or hinder). Peace and God bless.

[@VictorMaxol]

Did it used to be one normal sized dachshund?

[@531c]

Exactly how I do it. 62 year old builder from England. Nice job. I reckon too many people are afraid of an hour’s hard work. Well done mate 👍

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Try again 😂

[@jakes658]

You couldn't do that in an hour...

[@gatoslokosforever]

an hour? we can see the shadows and several days went by on this video hehe

[@dockslinger3187]

The guy in video said took about 2hrs so why would it be impossible to do it in 1hr?

[@maketheconstitutiongreatag5038]

He's got those English metric hours

[@ljscott5728]

I know you posted this awhile ago but I wanted to say Thank you!!! I had a weeping cherry tree that I recently got cut down. Made several calls to get a tree service out to grind out the stump. However I came across your video and it give me the movatiation to push thru it. .Very helpful

[@themashugana9440]

this is exactly how I've always done it. you don't need any magic concoctions to get the job done, and most importantly, no one says you have to do it all in one sitting. the larger the stump, just give it a couple of whacks a days for 15-30 minutes. you'll eventually knock it lose.

[@GF-zh7sv]

this is the man's way of doing it. Great job brotha, may the brute force be with you always

[@CartoType]

I've used this method on similar-sized sycamore trees (Acer pseudoplatanus: known as sycamore maple in US) in flinty clay in southern England. The type of soil makes all the difference. It was very hard to dig out the clay and get the flints out from between the roots so as not to damage the axe. It usually took between three and six hours of work for each tree. One variation: I didn't use the axe to chip pieces off the stump very much; it just didn't work very well. After cutting most of the large roots, hitting the stump with a sledgehammer helped loosen it up so as to be able to get a mattock under the base and apply leverage.

[@peterk.4266]

Dude, thank you for posting this. I tried some other tricks, jack lift, diy puller. At the end it`s just a mental satisfaction of uprooting the thing that works on small, light weight stumps. Long story short, I did what you did - brute force, sledge hammer, wedge and chainsaw. Inch by inch.

[@richrodriguez9261]

I'd rather do this than deal with the hassle of renting a home Depot stump grinder. At least this way you can chip away at whenever you have time. Thanks for the video.

[@brianshepherd9927]

I am so glad I watched your video man! I removed my own stump for free!!

[@princetonis2real]

This video was brought to you by our trusty sponsors at icy hot and advil.

[@tiedoohobo1143]

Thanks for showing us your method. I have two tree stumps I need to remove. They arent as big as the one you did. So now I'm very confident that I can get it out. Now I need to go buy an axe.

[@duncanhgibb]

Just took one out this morning, i just used a pickaxe, swing as hard as you can into centre of the stump, a good few hits and it should spilt, got the whole thing out in about 20 mins.

[@ChrisJ144]

I’ve had to remove lots of stumps over the last few years and through trial and error I found this method the best but I use a splitting maul or a metal splitting wedge to split the stump and a sabre saw (which doesn’t blunt in soil nearly as bad as a chain saw) for cutting the roots. Both additions to this method reduced the time it took me by about 75%.

[@devapath1618]

It's like seeing myself here. Previously I've removed smaller tree stupms, so I thought it would be the same, but when I started digging there was no end in sight, it was some big tree stump. So I did exactly what you did, cut the roots, then tried removing the entire stump with crowbars, shovels and many other things but it woudn't budge and also destroyed the handles by doing that, so just like you I started hitting it with an axe and removing chunk by chunk and removed as much as you did here. Took me 3 hours. Not great, but it's good enough.

[@MattBurns303]

I was pretty surprised how solidly it held to the ground even after I had removed every visible root. It doesn't take much to lock those things into the ground I guess. The axe swinging was a great workout though!

[@alphamale3141]

I’m attempting to do the same thing with a stump in my front yard. I’ve never seen it done before. However, I’m going to need a bigger ax! Many thanks.

[@maxagent86]

For those who already have a cordless reciprocating saw (common these days), it helps a lot with the roots and side trimming. It cuts the effort and time to about half.

[@entorid6902]

I got better tip. Use a chainsaw, take old chain that you would throw away later, because dirt will basically ruin it. Also don't just use regular shovel, use trenching showel, and sharpen the showel like you would sharpen an axe/knife, you can hit with a showel and cut some roots, bigger roots just cut with chainsaw. We removed quite a few stumps this way.

[@Zhcwu]

​@@entorid6902I stick with the reciprocating saw, the chainsaw I have is 16 inch bar and it's hard to maneuver in tight spaces. I usually use the reciprocating saw for small branches and I don't want to waste money on another chainsaw. There is an angle grinder chainsaw attachment that works really well too but safety wise reciprocating saw is better.

[@entorid6902]

@@Zhcwu I think grinder chainsaw attachment is really dangerous. we use small stihl ms162 or ms180 chainsaws for that use. A single person can remove small stumps in around 20mins, while big stumps take around 1hour our way

[@ultimacia57]

Been doing this for 3 weeks a couple of mins every day. So far i removed one and i just need 4 more to go. I like the fact that its on my time and i dont rush it.

[@MrLeebooher]

Someone using common sense to knock out a project that needed to get done ! Rare these days !

[@somanyads]

I agree

[@CH-zm4jb]

Common sense and manual labor!!!!!? Wtf? I didn't know either one still existed much less at the same time!!! Wait...is this a joke?...are u pulling my leg here?.....let me guess,....big foot is real to??.....or better yet, are u gonna tell me that not only common sense and manual labor still exist, but that they're millennials with common sense that does manual labor walking this earth!!!!? Haha nice try but I ain't buying that bs. Now if u will excuse me, I must get back to my spaceship for departure. I have a meeting with the presidents of pluto,jupiter,and Uranus at the milky way galaxy headquarters. All the best scientists from the interstellar galactic federation is getting together to see if we can find a cure for the reason you earthlings are being born without balls for the last several leap-years. Us aliens draw the line at adding a 3rd bathroom to the ISS(international space station). So if they really are such thing as a millineal with common sense that works hard, then I would suggest yall put them in positions of leadership before your tesla is repossessed because your leaders was more worried about the feelings of someone that wants to identify as the opposite of their biological birth. Take it from us aliens that's born with balls, use it or loose it.

[@rog3rK]

Sad thing is that common sense ain’t so common now.

[@bane2256]

Common sense is uncommon

[@Rick-the-Swift]

We should just call it uncommon sense now a days

[@penelopehammerton2907]

I hope I can manage using this method to remove a stump. Looks straight forward. Thank you for sharing.

[@jhernandez891]

Thanks. I , too, have come across the stump grinder and salt videos but pretty sure this will be the way to go for me.

[@peterwilliamson4296]

This method suits me but its a workout that's for sure. I think its worth keeping a good edge on the axe to get the job done even if its contacting soil. Thanks for the inspiring clip.

[@dannyo3317]

I have used both an axe and a pick mattock. I prefer a pick mattock using the blunt mattock blade. It has more weight than an axe and you can also get one or more of the ends under the root, then start leveraging the stump up and out, which really helps a lot. I am always able to get the whole stump out. Also, leave the stump really long, like 2-3 feet long. You can get some good rocking and pulling going with that long of a stump.

[@edwardedward7974]

Well done I'm very impressed ! with your work and your fitness . This is what you call HARD labour ! Cheers Eddie

[@claudioescalera7903]

Great video I'm going to do that with a Douglas fir, that was removed in January, quite a bit bigger but worth the try.Removed 4 Arbovites stumps using an axle yesterday, took me about 3 hours of intense labor but worth the result.

[@rosgembrun]

Glad I saw this. After trying to cut roots from stump with reciprocating saw, I started thinking, well, why not the axe? Will have to sharpen it, but it will be a lot easier.

[@LearnEnglishWithMatta]

Only four stumps to remove…yay. Thanks for the video brother 💪🏽

[@lgal9]

I've watched a few other videos of different methods and think I like yours! save me a few gym sessions as well. Well done.

[@Philyra86]

Mine isn't a tree stump, more of a grown to big bush stump and the witch is giving me a hard time. Time to get out the ax😁 Thank you for this video.

[@JohnElHanafi]

1:48 I can relate to the level of happiness you felts at that moment screaming: JUST LIKE DOWNTOWN BABY!! lol - Great video Matt. Subscribed!

[@chrisjarvis9659]

Love this method. I’ve done a bunch like this and agree - axe and shovel all the way!😊

[@SuperMulletguy]

Wow--thank you for this. I have multiple small/medium size hackberry stumps that I have found to be removable with the axe & shovel approach recently. I agree, it is a great workout that I've done for ~1hr daily for the last week. I'm grateful that I'm doing it because it works and I don't have to ruin or rent more expensive equipment to do it.

[@R900DZ]

Good job, I did mine with a circular saw and a hammer. Cut a bunch of crosshatching and then knock the little blocks out. There’s lots of different ways to do this job

[@bmck5002]

Use a Sawzall with an old or new wood blade. Works great, if it isnt rocky soil or a really green stump. Worked for a landscape company that did that.

[@Jahnink]

I found a foot long arbor blade that I can attach to my reciprocal saw. Works great. And I pulled out some huge hardwood black locust stumps/pieces . Did it all by myself by hand using any tool I could find for prying. This year I bought a big farm jack to level my shed. They say it also works good to pull stumps up vertical as you excavate. I'm eager to try it in a few weeks. It does help to be a bit manic. Remember, it's just you and the stump. Try to outsmart it.😂

[@TedBr]

Be aware that if you leave much of the stump below ground it will rot and cause soil subsidence. If you are brick paving, be sure to remove it properly or you will have to redo the pavers.

[@MattBurns303]

Great comment. I was thinking more of removing one in your lawn or in my case it's where I can easily re-level as the stump decays. You are 100% right that you'd be redoing pavers in a couple years if you don't get it all out and properly back-filled. Thanks for contributing!

[@Technoanima]

I prefer burning out the stump. Do the same digging around the roots then dig an open alcove under the roots and put a small grate in for airflow pour some hot coals onto the grate. Keep the fire going with airflow from a shopvac Once hot enough the stump will catch fire and smoulder away.

[@rosgembrun]

I had a huge, old, rotting Arizona Ashe cut down and had the stump ground down so that I was able to cover it with soil. I planted another tree near where the stump had been. After a few years the new tree started to lean markedly. What was left of the huge stump had of course rotted. The only thing I did was add some more soil to level out the spot, but the leaning tree somehow righted itself and is perfectly erect now.

[@erdenetello]

Free outdoor workout. Can't beat that

[@Masteradamant]

I was considering using a pick axe but I’m glad to see a 5 pound axe getting the job done

[@Snaproll47518]

I’ve done that in my youth and it’s considerable work. Now in my 70s I recently paid a guy $100 to grind up a massive three trunk River Birch.

[@jonahbooth869]

You love to work hard, I love to work smart! I'll use the grinder but thanks.

[@cm1133]

I love the color of Aspen trees in Autumn. I was stationed in Colorado when I was in the USAF.

[@ashbohgan2022]

That's how I do it as well. There's only 6 big roots. Find them and axe away at them. I do leave the stump waist high so I can push pull when it's loose

[@BManStan1991]

Thank you. Straight and to the point

[@kevinkaple3615]

I did a mulberry and soft maple ..I chopped the roots like hell and used a crowbar to get movement …pain in the ass but when it comes out it’s a great feeling!

[@MAGAMAN]

Sawzall with a long wood cutting blade in combination with a grinder with a coarse wood carving blade.

[@The-Real-Ando]

I dig a bit deeper, to expose the roots. Then I wash the roots and cut them with the chainsaw. You still have to fight it out, it’s not normally too easy, but this method definitely does work and I’ve dug out stumps way bigger than this. If you’ve got more time and less dollars, do this.

[@chuckmaddison2924]

If you're passing by Joondalup Western Australia, feel free to drop in. Great video. I'm looking for a solution for a stump surrounded by rock wall, fence, and large bush. If I removed bush, more work plus stump will be shoulder high.

[@ddp7058]

Was thinking of buying an axe as it looks cool but remembered I have a reciprocating saw. Probably try that first 😊

[@TheMacanta]

I just did this with a tree stump in the bottom corner of my garden. Tree had gown for decades. Next door neighbour cut it down for me, looked at the size of the remaining stump and recommended getting a professional. It was wedged between a fence and a brick wall so there was literally just a few inches on 2 sides to work in. I used a hand axe, bow saw and regular axe. The stump was 2ft wide, getting wider towards the roots when it topped out around almost 4ft. Roots were above ground so they had to be cut away first to avoid causing a trip hazard. I then dug underneath it and to the front to upend it and give me access to the rear end. I couldn’t use a chainsaw as the stump was full of pieces of brick, concrete and metal. One metal rod was “L” shaped with both ends 12” in length. I had to cut that and the debris out of the stump by hand before taking a chainsaw to it. I’d love how so much debris ended up inside the tree! I had to cut chunks of it by hand to lighten it before I could roll it away from the neighbouring property. It’s sitting on my patio as a trophy until I cut it up which will be soon. 👍

[@MattBurns303]

Nice work. Sounds like quite a challenge. I would keep that trophy for years, then burn it in my fireplace as punishment for the hell it put me through. 😀

[@micahwest5347]

I’ve done that a time or two. Good honest work. I’ve discovered a sawzall to be a huge help.

[@8triagrammer]

Hell yeah. Nice work brother.

[@patrickganly5206]

What about the roots that's can still grow under the building and cause structural damage. I would want to remove the complete root also.

[@0xsuperman]

I am trying to do the same. However, I want to plant a new tree at the exact same spot. Do I just need to make it deeper and wider?

[@organictaco9934]

I have been trying to cheaply tear up a stump that seems to be partially petrified. A chainsaw couldn't cut through this wood. Not sure what else to do besides tearing it out with a backhoe but there goes the doing it cheaply

[@Michael-db1ce]

Great job and nice workout. Won't get fat doing that.

[@wezist]

I have done loads with an axe but instead of shaving the stump I split it straight through into segments then use a resip saw to cut through the root...

[@JADEDWILLIAM]

I've done stumps 30 to 50 years old using a More power puller come along with a chain wrapped around the trunk. The amsteel blue rope has a hook on the end and a pulley in the middle. Double back the rope and attach the end hook to the puller and the pulley attaches to the chain for six ton pulling strength.Put good tension on the come along and chop and cut with a pick ax, sawzall or chainsaw on the roots under the most tension.Add more tension as it starts to lean over and most times the come along will finally pop most of it out the ground.

[@ar1701]

You da Man!!! my next favorite is fire farrrrr from buildings of course, when in doubt call dig it for gaslines etc

[@nobody7232]

Same method I use... Heavy digging bar with a chisel end, and a hatchet or axe and some elbow grease...

[@spkay31]

Nice work. Definitely doable for a small to moderate size stump. I have 10 stumps of more than 20 inches in diameter so the stump grinder is the tool of choice. But I won't get the workout that you did and it will wind up costing me $300-400 for a day's rental of a Barreto.

[@Treshar]

Its a wonder what a few hours hard work can acheive, well done.

[@mrrootsas]

Nice jobb and best tips thx🎉

[@monteharwell6221]

I once used a sharpshooter and a floor jack,good results.monte

[@shawnmatthews5118]

I just bore a hole down through it with a long auger bit, then drill a second hole from the side for air flow, then turn it into a rocket stove.

[@GoatZilla]

Wonder if a rotary hammer like an SDS Max would make this easier.

[@Supportingtruth8258]

Try using a circular saw sometime - it works great. You can take a lot of material off fast, and what's left you can burn out.

[@musicful7036]

I have a dead stump, about 3 years since tree was taken down. It's been dead at ground level, will be an issue for termites in the future if the stump isn't removed completely ?

[@zlindauer5315]

most people are just to lazy to go at stumps with a ax. well done sir, nicly showing how humans have been removing stumps for hundreds of years

[@bane2256]

I find it to be rewarding when that stump finally breaks loose

[@thuringervonsausage5232]

Tree Stump Removal was a big deal after they went through Minnesota & Wisconsin & wiped out all the Forests for Farmland. Those stumps were primarily removed with dynamite, you could buy it over the counter at the feed store.

[@lordspam2721]

i burned mine down and got drunk while doing it. did the job and had a good time. Still was a ton of work and its the only way. Get working! nice and to the point.... while making a point

[@Markkxd]

Ive got a 2 stump removal job coming up, never done that

[@WILLIAMMORALES-gw1zz]

Mine was in back yard, I attached couple 2x4 with lag bolts then used a car jack, did it on 3 sides and tadaa.

[@jerryjamify]

Drill a hole down the middle and one in the side at the bottom to meet the one in the center creating a stove then poor some charcoal started in the center hole then get some hotdogs and cook your stump away.

[@thepopeofkeke]

Mines around 6 of those combined but I appreciate ya making the video

[@TheEthik87]

What kind of blade was on that bow saw? I got 2 stumps

[@torcheddreadnought899]

That's right, an axe, the mans way. Get it done.

[@roybatty2030]

Great video. I use a small thermonuclear device under the stump and stand well back. Get ready for those intolerant neighbours…

[@patriknorsten5813]

That´s the way to do it. You don´t have to go pick equipment up and later return them. Just a big axe, a heavy sledgehammer some muscles and fuel. Recommend Oscars Lager, (swedish) ice cold... Great video.

[@tomd1434]

I’m trying to do this right now. My problem is I want to put a shrub right where this stump is. I’m confident I can get it flush but I need it out all together I think so I might be wasting my time lol. Great workout though.

[@MS-yy2dh]

That is exactly what I did. The only issue I had is that some roots remain and the ground tends to sink.

[@damnmitch7068]

Good job brother I'm right with you diy!!

[@georgecurtis6463]

When I have had to remove stumps I just dug up what was easy to dig. Cutting small roots if needed. Then I would soak the ground with water for a few days. Then dig a bit more cutting away bigger roots. Then I would soak again for a few days. Repeat as needed. Or if I could I would use a vehicle to pull it out, normally very easy. Or use an a frame and chain puller, also easy. Most times it actually took little effort with all the dirt just super soft. Or just use a nozzle on the water hose and just let the water remove the dirt from the roots for easy access to cut.

[@Dad_Life_]

That was impressive 💪

[@abennett5636]

I just leave the stump high to get leverage dig one side heavily with a mattocks to break the roots get under it and then wiggle the stump about hard work but does the job.

Adding chainsaw to this job would make a big difference, cut a grid into the stump (few vertical and horizontal cuts), then hit with sladgehammer or axe.

[@pathunter8085]

Chainsaw definitely,hose off dirt prior,if using drill use "corded" so u don't fry batterie

[@PersonaN007Grata]

I wonder if an SDS Max demolition hammer with a clay spade might work. I have three large stumps from old palm trees that we had cut down a couple of years ago.

[@capitankak]

Been thinking along the same lines. I have 2 oak stumps 30” diameter. SDS max with clay spade may help clear around all the major roots for cutting with an axe or reciprocating saw. Stumps are too close to the house to burn. Plus burn season ended yesterday.

[@valeriek5020]

I have a stump three times the size shown here and I started with a sawsall and cut down into the top as deep as I could, then across horizontally and removed chunks at a time, then started again..............not easy especially for a female, but being persistant paid off.

[@lapchurng]

this gives me hope! and a reason to buy an ax

[@dantheman52420]

Digrite free, stump grinder go brrrr. 5 minutes of grinding < 2 hours of digging. But it is fun to see you do it by hand 😆

[@dmoon7348]

1-Place old steel drum on stump with good venting. 2-Make fire. Tomorrow morning, no stump.

[@tinybee5927]

Awesome job!

[@khazoury]

Best workout ever!

[@bane2256]

True

[@eternalfizzer]

That's more my style than chemicals and machinery. I've done a couple scrubby maples like that. Back breaking but also satisfying. (59-y-o woman with a stubborn streak😊)

[@rosbifle413]

Hey. When swinging an axe or a pick axe it's better to not use gloves. That's why you'll have blisters on your fingers. Make sure your hands stay as dry as possible when using heavy garden tools. Good job on the stump removal!

[@YogawithIraHoyer]

Good idea when I don’t have anything but an ax :) thanks

[@josephpostma1787]

On a stump a little smaller than yours, I dug then used a chainsaw to cut out the stump. Using the chainsaw you need to dig a small trench to fit the saw into. While this is faster than your method, if you are not careful any dirt can wear out you chain faster.

[@kent88011]

Very good suggestion: we don't need to remove the whole stump, just couple inches below the ground level then cover it with grass in my case.

[@originalfallinggirl]

Can you use large explosives to remove it? I live in a tiny townhome with a dead dogwood in the back. I think I’m going to try a 1/2 stick of tnt to remove it. I’ll keep you updated.

[@galehess6676]

Not effective, have to dig under and the hole you use just allows the pressure to come out there... lots of explosives, maybe.. could soak with diesel and burn if not dangerous... roots can burn under ground and spread fire far away... try Stump Out

[@humanze]

I just use a burn barrel, and $8 bag of lump charcoal, plus tree branches, twigs, scrap wood etc. Not free, but virtually effortless. Fire goes out later in the day and the stump smoulders for another day and half.

[@jajack71]

Cost you two hours of your time and blisters and how.much did you really save ?

[@jonmcclane7433]

This is my current situation. I do about 30 mins a day because it’s exhausting. And despite wearing gloves I got blisters too.

[@erictroutmanjr9708]

Come to North AZ and try that lol these elms will 100% of the time come back