How to Remove a Tree

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Whether you need to remove a dying tree or hope to replant a tree somewhere else, it's important to remove it carefully. If a tree is removed incorrectly, it can become a hazard if they fall on a living thing, building, car, or electrical line. But if you take precautions while removing your tree, you can do it without the help of a professional. With a steady hand, someone who can help you out and the right tools, you'll have your tree out of the ground in no time.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Felling a Tree

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  1. To chop a tree down safely, you will need to take precautions to prevent injuries. Before you fell the tree, put on some or all of the following gear, depending on the size of the tree: [1]
    • Helmet
    • Safety goggles
    • Respirator
    • Hearing protection
    • Protective chaps (for larger trees)
    • Steel toed leather boots, preferably with ankle support (for larger trees)
    • Gloves
    • Long sleeved shirt and pants
  2. Remove any children or pets from the area, and let adults know what you're doing so they can keep their distance. Everyone besides the person felling the tree should stay at a distance of least double the tree's height.
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  3. Choose the direction that would be most natural for the tree. If your tree leans slightly to the left, for example, chop it so it will fall to the left.
    • Which way the tree falls determines how you will chop it so it is important to decide now.
  4. Make the first route your plan if the tree falls in the expected direction and the second if it falls in an unintended direction. If anything unexpected happens, having 2 routes ensures that you'll escape safely. [2]
  5. Stand so that your left shoulder is touching the tree. Using a saw or axe, make a 70-degree cut facing the direction you want the tree to fall. Continue cutting until the cut is about ¼ of the tree’s diameter. [3]
  6. Make a horizontal back cut through the opposite side of the tree. Cut at as flat of an angle as possible to keep the fall even and predictable. Stop cutting when you have a hinge left that's about 1/10 the diameter of the tree. [4]
    • Leaving a small hinge ensures that you control how the tree falls. This is important as this will make sure it fall in the right way, not the wrong way as this could cause injury or damage.
  7. When you've left the hinge, pull your saw or axe out and take your first escape route away from the tree. Do not return to the tree until it has fallen completely. If the tree falls towards you, take your second escape route away from the tree. [5]
    • If your tree is smaller or does not immediately fall over, push it on the hinge in the direction you want it to fall.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Taking the Stump Out

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  1. If your tree is small, use a shovel to dig the stump out and expose its roots. Cut away the roots with an axe or root saw, then pull out the roots with a grub hoe. [6]
    • If you want to recycle the roots, compost them.
    • If the stump is too large to remove with a shovel, you may need to try another method.
  2. If your stump is too large to dig out, drill 4-8 holes into the stump and pour chemical stump remover into each one. Wait 4-6 weeks for the chemicals to rot the stump, then dig it and its roots out with a shovel. [7]
    • Check the chemical stump remover's instructions for an exact time to wait between pouring the chemical in and digging out the stump.
  3. Ask your local fire department if open burning is permitted. If it is, place scrap wood on top of the stump and set it on fire. Keep the fire burning until the stump has burned out entirely, then put it out and dig away the ash and roots with a shovel. [8]
    • Keep the fire attended at all times and have a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency.
  4. Use a stump grinder for the quickest method. Place the grinder over the stump and turn the machine on. Move the grinder around the circumference of the stump until it grinds the stump entirely. Shovel out any grindings left in the stump's hole, then fill the hole in with dirt until you cover it completely. [9]
    • If you don't own a stump grinder, rent one from a local home improvement store.
    • Read the instruction manual carefully and put on safety equipment (gloves, goggles, and ear protection) before using a stump grinder.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Removing Small Trees for Transplant

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  1. Take a hose and wet the ground directly around the tree until the soil is damp. This will soften the ground and make digging the tree out easier. It also reduces stress for the tree and keeps some soil attached to its roots. [10]
  2. Using a shovel, dig up the topsoil from the roots nearest to the trunk. Continue digging up the topsoil until you reach the approximate length of the tree's root ball.
    • The root ball is the sphere of roots that you will replant in another location.
    • As a general rule, there should be 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) of root ball for every 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the tree's diameter. [11]
  3. Keep the spade faced away from the tree as you dig. Shape the roots in a circle that will become the tree's root ball. Cut away any large roots that go beyond your mark with pruning shears. [12]
    • If you're planning on transplanting the tree you need to be careful not to remove too many roots. A general rule is for every inch in diameter of the trunk, there needs to be 10"-12" of root ball. [13]
  4. Lift the root ball up with your shovel and have another person work a square of burlap beneath the roots. Set the root ball back down and lift it out of the ground by the burlap. [14]
    • Keep the burlap tied around the root ball until you're ready to replant it.
    • Burlap is important because it is biodegradable. It keeps the roots safe and together until you're ready to plant the tree and then decomposes into the soil afterward.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I have a tree on my pavement that needs to be removed. I can't put up a fence because of the roots. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    If you own the property where the tree is located, you could call an arborist who specializes in tree removal, or you may attempt to remove it yourself. It would involve cutting down the tree and tearing up the part of the pavement where the the roots have grown underneath, then ripping the roots out and repaving the area. If the area belongs to the city, you may have to call them and have them remove it. Also, if the area is adjoining a neighbor's property, you should talk to them before attempting anything.
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      Warnings

      • Make sure you have the legal right to remove a tree first. If you live in a rental home, ask your landlord beforehand.
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      • Be careful and read the manufacturer's instructions when handling sharp cutting tools.
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      • Always contact your local fire department before using fire to remove tree stumps.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Helmet
      • Safety goggles
      • Respirator
      • Hearing protection
      • Protective chaps
      • Steel toed leather boots, preferably with ankle support
      • Gloves
      • Long sleeved shirt and pants
      • Axe or saw
      • Shovel
      • Spade
      • Chemical stump remover
      • Scrap wood
      • Stump grinder
      • Hose
      • Burlap

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/03/01/how-to-fell-a-tree/
      2. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/landscaping/how-to-cut-down-a-tree/view-all/
      3. ↑ https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/how-to-cut-down-a-tree
      4. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-cut-down-tree-safely
      5. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-cut-down-tree-safely
      6. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ask-toh/removing-tree-stumps
      7. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/landscaping/how-to-remove-a-tree-stump-painlessly/view-all/
      8. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ask-toh/removing-tree-stumps
      9. ↑ https://www.hobbyfarms.com/tree-stumps-remove-tools-methods-tips/
      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-transplant-a-tree/#.WoYCkGinHrc
      2. ↑ https://nfs.unl.edu/documents/communityforestry/toptenmistakes.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-transplant-mature-trees
      4. ↑ https://nfs.unl.edu/documents/communityforestry/toptenmistakes.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/how-transplant-tree

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      It’s important to remove a tree properly, since they can be hazardous if cut incorrectly. You’ll need to clear the area of people, pets, and anything the tree could fall on before you start cutting. You’ll also want to decide which way it will fall. If your tree naturally leans to one side, chop it so it will fall that way unless it would fall on something. Plan 2 different escape routes from the falling tree in case it falls in a different direction. You’ll want to use a saw or axe to make a 70 degree cut facing the way you want the tree to fall. Cut about ¼ into the tree’s diameter, then turn your saw or axe sideways and cut horizontally. When there’s only about 1/10 of the diameter left, stop cutting and take your escape route. If the tree is small enough that you can pull it out by hand, you’ll only need to dig up its topsoil and roots. Then, you can dig under its root ball and pull out the tree. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to remove a tree stump, read on!

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