When you cut a tree, you need to cut its stump to stop the decay in the near or far future. There are several ways to get rid of tree stumps some are natural and time-consuming while others are easy and less time-consuming.
In case you are wondering how to cut a stump with a chainsaw, we are here to help you out in this regard.
Cutting the stump of the tree with a chainsaw may be an appealing option for you as it consumes less time and energy.
Hence, it helps you quickly remove the sight and presence of the stump from your front lawn or backyard.
When And Why a Tree Stump Should Be Removed?
You need to remember you should do it when the soil is damp to make your process of removal easy. For this, it is preferred to cut the stump, a day or two after rainfall to ensure sufficient dampness of the soil.
There are a lot of valid reasons to remove tree stumps some are mentioned below:
- They pose hazards to kids
- Stump can cause the growth of a new tree, which you wanted to avoid in the first place.
- It attracts insects.
- They consume a yard space.
- They hinder the appearance of your lawn.
How to Remove a Stump with a Chainsaw in 2023?
The most important thing is, you need to operate your chainsaw properly as a lot of debris such as pieces of sharp wood and rocks can rapidly move in different directions. While using a chainsaw you are required to have safety.
Following is the safety gear you must wear when operating a chainsaw:
Precautions and safety gear apparels are necessary to keep you safe. Once you have ensured your safety, make sure to keep the following points in mind to successfully remove a tree stump.
- Use gas chainsaw in a slow and straight manner.
- Make diagonal cuts.
- Keep the 18″ chainsaw from touching the ground.
- Operate with pressure and precision.
The most practical stump removal method is to create diagonal cuts. Since you are sawing the tree stump diagonally the bits of wood can easily slide down away from the chainsaw.
Apart from this, diagonal cutting is cleaner and more precise. Horizontal and vertical directions wouldn’t do that.
Make sure while sawing the stump off close to the ground, do not let the chainsaw come into contact with the ground since this can also cause kickbacks. Operate with immense pressure and precision at all times.
Steps to Follow
To remove the stump from the ground successfully, follow the steps mentioned below:
- Dig the area around the stump.
- Clean the dirt and other pieces of wood
- Cut all the roots with a mini saw or larger tool, depending on the size of the root.
- Remove the stump effectively
To completely remove the stump, you have to actually dig down into the grounds to reach the roots. In the same way, remove any exposed pieces of wood and clumps of dirt.
You also need to prevent any debris from coming into contact with a chainsaw. Keep sure you must be careful as the depth increases and more substances come in the way. If you notice more clumps of dirt stop sawing for a while and remove the dirt first.
You need to cut all the tree roots. When the roots can no longer hold the stump firmly into the ground, the tree stump will be absolutely easier to remove.
Learn More: Can You Dig a Trench With Chainsaw?
How To Remove Tree Stump Quickly? —Alternate Methods
There are different possible options to get rid of the stump. The very obvious one is to call a contractor; they will use a big commercial grinder and it is a matter of minutes for them. If you want it to do by yourself you need to have such tools:
You will need some simple tools like:
- Sawzall
- A shovel
- A pick
You don’t need to dig a lot around; you simply need to have a space enough to fit your tools. Clean the surrounding stump and cut the roots and start cutting the stump a couple of inches below the grass line.
After you have made a complete cut and removed the upper stump, then just put dirt and grass over it so you won’t even know it’s there. It will just take 20 to 30 minutes but make sure there is no chance of rebirth.
Using a Stump Grinder
Another fast and effective method to get rid of a stump is to use a stump grinder which is a quite fast but expensive procedure. To remove your tree stump, trim the stump closer to the ground with a chainsaw.
To operate the grinder properly keep the following steps in mind:
Dig up rocks around the base of a tree stump, as they can dull or damage the teeth on the grinders cutting wheel.
Drive the grinder close to the stump and start the engine, following manufacturer guidelines.
- Always stand at the control panel near the rear.
- Avoid using it in the presence of children, pets, flammable liquids, gas, dust, and at night.
- Raise a grinder wheel a few inches above the stump front edge with the break level.
- The engine throttle should be in a slow position.
- Start the spinning cutting wheel
- Lower the wheel a couple of inches into the stump and gently nip it away with side-by-side movements.
- Raise the wheel and advance the machine a few inches.
- Repeat the process until you have dug a few inches into the ground and removed the stump.
You can also get a stump grinder attachment for the chainsaw. It is a less expensive solution and provides you with an additional tool to your chainsaw that you can use for removing stumps.
Take a look at this video tutorial regarding stump removal with a chainsaw by Paul Reitzel:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can you remove the tree stump with a chainsaw?
You can remove a tree stump with just a chainsaw by simply digging around the stump, cutting it as low as possible. Then cut crisscross slices into the stump 4-6 inches below ground level. Keep in mind to avoid the contact of the chainsaw with the ground.
What is the fastest way to remove a tree stump?
The fastest way to remove a tree stump without using a grinder is the chemical method. By applying chemicals to holes drilled into the stump, you speed up the natural decay process and the remaining tree fibers and roots will break down more quickly.
Can you remove a stump by hand?
Yes, you can. Simply dig out the soil from around the stump exposing the larger tree 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.
Conclusion: How to Remove a Stump with a Chainsaw?
After cutting down a tree it is necessary to remove its stump. In this article, we have explained how to stump is removed by different means. Some are by hand others are removed with a chainsaw and different types of grinders. We describe how to operate these grinders and chainsaws while removing the stump and assuring your safety at first.
