Tree stumps look innocuous, and they're given little attention, but ignoring them could be a mistake. Here, we examine whether tree stumps should be removed, and how you can make that happen.
Although tree stumps look perfectly at home in gardens and other outdoor spaces, there's a chance you'll want to get rid of them. They can block your landscaping plans, become hosts for fungus, and lead to suckering.
This might come as a surprise since they look pretty innocuous, but if you want to sidestep these potential issues, stump removal could be worthwhile.
When it comes to removing tree stumps, you have several methods to choose from. If you’re feeling energetic, you might try to tackle the problem yourself.
Yet, there are times when only a qualified tree surgeon should handle the work.
The removal method will partly depend on the size and weight of the stump. Your experience level and its position in your garden matter as well.
Let’s start by exploring the reasons for removing a tree stump, and methods you can employ to make that happen.
In looking for expert answers, we've take a moment to speak to Philip Clayton about the reasons for stump removal, and how best to manage this process.
Philip is a plantsman, gardener, author and freelance garden writer with a plant-filled garden in Peterborough.
A member of the RHS Herbaceous Plant Group, he spent 20 years at The Garden (the RHS magazine), latterly as Deputy Editor.
Prior to this, he worked as a landscaper, a role which followed practical training at RHS Garden Wisley, in Surrey. He also has a BSc Hons in Horticulture from Wye College in Kent.
His books include A Plant For Every Day Of The Year (2022), Grow: Roses (2024) and Parched (2024). He also currently works as gardener at The Manor Hemingford Grey, near Huntingdon.
With Philip's vast industry expertise and experience, you'll soon know how to remove tree stumps from your garden.
Stumps aren't always problematic, but there’s a reason arborists sometimes encourage their removal.
Philip says “Woodlands are full of tree stumps, so they’re not always as harmful as many may think.
They can however be a problem in gardens – forming trip hazards, becoming hosts for disease or in some cases developing suckers – the vegetative formation of new stems.”
Here are some of the factors that make this worth your while.
Fungal root disease
When some stumps are left alone, they can begin to harbour root diseases. In the UK, honey fungus is the root disease that presents the most risk to your plants. Most worryingly, these can spread to other nearby plants and trees.
The end result is a decline in the health and appearance of your garden. Stopping the decaying process through stump removal prevents this.
Suckering
Stumps are a prime location for suckering. This is where unwanted shoots sprout from the stump and nearby roots.
If left unchecked, this can result in tree regrowth and dense, annoying vegetation.
Although suckering does not always occur with tree stumps, stopping suckering once the process has started is far harder than simply removing the stump in the first place.
Expanding on this, Philip says “Species that sucker may cause problems for gardeners after the original tree has been cut down, sending up shoots from the trunk, or in some cases from roots some distance from any stump.
"Grubbing out by hand or with an excavator also removes most of the root; stump grinders deal with the stump but leave roots in situ.”
Enhancing your property
In general, stumps don’t serve an aesthetic purpose. They just take up space.
By getting rid of stumps on your property, you’re not only removing a blemish but opening up new space. Whether you want to plant new trees or start a landscaping project, this can help.
Nesting insects
Tree stumps make wonderful nesting grounds for insects. Ants, beetles, and other wood-boring insects could use a stump as a launchpad in your garden.
These insects are part of a garden's natural ecosystem, and are not problematic for outdoor spaces. Depending on the location of your tree stump, though, they could make your way indoors.
You can prevent this from happening by removing the stump before they have a chance to spread. Separately, a well-cultivated garden should have plenty of appropriate settings for insects, too.
So, you want rid of a tree stump – how do you make that happen?
There are options for stump removal where hiring a professional isn't necessary. Even so, you should bear in mind that tree work can be dangerous, and you might be better served by hiring a tree surgeon.
Let’s explore the best ways to remove a tree stump.
1. Stump grinding
Coming in a range of sizes, stump grinders are powerful machines that boast a rotating cutting wheel lined with sharp teeth. They turn even the heftiest stumps into sawdust in a matter of seconds.
Attacking the main root plate, these tools can handle any weight or size of stump. During the process, it’s key that the grinder reaches deep beneath the soil, at least 30 centimetres down.
This should be enough to kill the tree roots and prevent suckering. If you're planning on replanting, make sure sawdust is cleared from the area along with any diseased material.
Stump grinders are effective, yet only really required for heavier, more stubborn stumps that you can't excavate yourself.
Grinders are very effective when used by someone with experience, but could cause serious injury in the wrong hands. While you can rent a stump grinder, it’s safer to hire a stump grinding service.
Planning on using this approach? Philip says that “If you’re replanting the area after grinding, all the sawdust will need to be removed along with any diseased material.”
2. Stump excavation
In some cases, you can remove stumps with nothing more than a spade and some persistence. For smaller trees, you can dig around the stump and then saw through the roots, allowing you to get rid of the base.
For somewhat more substantial trees, a winch or mechanical excavator might be a better choice.
These tools literally pull stumps from the ground (and bring up lots of earth with them). For the most part, these methods work best for small and medium-sized stumps that you can't handle by hand. Extensive root systems can make life difficult here, too.
Again, these tools are available to hire but using them is potentially hazardous. You can avoid harm by bringing an experienced professional into the fold.
3. Chemical stump killers
In times past, chemical stump killers were recommended for removing tree stumps. That's not really the case anymore.
While chemical stump killers can sometimes be an effective solution, the outcome is far from certain. And even if it does work, there’s also a chance that the toxic stump killer could affect your other plants and trees, and even nearby wildlife.
Here, we examine the risks of using chemical killers in your garden. For these reasons, it’s best to seek alternatives.
Philip is in agreement, supporting the use of non-chemical weed control methods.
“Stump killers sold in garden centres are basically weed killers and I would generally avoid using these as far as possible in the garden as they risk damaging other plants and potentially affecting wildlife.”
4. Burning the stump
If you’re considering trying to burn out the stump, think again.
Often, stumps hold too much moisture to be set ablaze. Even if you manage to start a fire, you could still end up causing serious damage to the nearby area.
This method isn’t fast, safe, or effective – and is best avoided.
You now understand why stumps need to be removed, and the most common methods people use to get rid of them. The only question remaining is, do you need a tree surgeon to have them removed?
The answer? Yes – possibly.
While you can surely remove smaller tree stumps yourself, larger stumps are more problematic. You can’t remove heavier stumps manually, and only those with experience can use the required machinery safely.
Methods like chemical stump killers and burning are not recommended. These approaches are unreliable at best, can harm your other trees and plants, and there are alternatives that work as well or better.
Remember: if you're planning on replanting the area, remove any sawdust and diseased material, or new growth could be affected later on.
Want to know more about what tree surgeons do? Read our guide on tree surgeon services today.
You might be reluctant to pay the removal cost a tree surgeon will charge, but it’s the most reliable way to get rid of a tree stump on your property.
Only a few strategies work consistently – stump grinding, winch removal, and excavation – and each of them requires experience and technical skills that only tree surgeons can provide.
If you're not quite ready to hire a professional, read the latest tree service hiring advice, tips, and tricks. Once you're ready, take the first step by browsing the top tree surgeons near you or post a free enquiry to hear from professionals directly.