The Best Way to Burn a Tree Stump in Your Yard

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Safely and effectively get rid of old stumps with our guide
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If you've decided to get rid of a tree in your yard, you'll have to deal with the stump once the actual tree has been cut down. Tree stumps, especially ones that are older and deeper, can be troublesome to remove. However, one easy and inexpensive way to remove a stump is to burn it. By taking steps to make the stump extra flammable and burning it until it's ash, you can be rid of your pesky tree stump in no time.

How to Burn Out a Stump

Drill holes in the top and sides of your stump, and fill them with potassium nitrate. Make a teepee with scrap wood around the stump, and light it. Once the stump burns completely, shovel out the ashes to dispose of them.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Making the Stump Flammable

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  1. Move wooden structures and materials away from the stump. Use a rake to clear away any dried leaves or small sticks on the surrounding ground. [1]
    • You might also consider surrounding the stump with chicken wire for added safety.
    • Always keep a bucket of water or water hose nearby during the burn.
  2. Attach a 1 inch (2.5 cm) spade bit or other wood-boring bit to your power drill and drill a hole in the center of the stump at a 30-degree angle. Drill your hole roughly 8 inches (20 cm) to 10 inches (25 cm) deep. [2]
    • If your stump is shorter than 8 inches (20 cm), just drill far enough down so that you reach the roots.
    • Make sure you clear the debris out of the hole once you've finished drilling.
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  3. Once you've drilled your hole in the center of the stump, continue to drill holes across the top, leaving roughly 1–3 inches (2.5–7.6 cm) of space between each hole you drill. [3]
    • Like with your center hole, each hole should be 8 inches (20 cm) to 10 inches (25 cm) deep. If your stump is shorter than this, make sure your holes are at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep.
    • Clear the debris out of each hole once you're finished drilling.
  4. If the sides of the stump are still visible after the tree was cut down, drill holes into the stump around its perimeter to allow the stump to catch fire and burn more easily. [4]
    • As you did with the holes drilled from the top of the stump, leave roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space between each hole you drill along the stump's perimeter.
    • Be sure to drill these holes so that they connect to the holes you drilled from the top down. The more air that is able to circulate throughout the stump, the easier it will be to burn it.
  5. This will make your stump burn exceptionally well. Leave roughly .5 inches (1.3 cm) of space from the top when filling the holes. [5]
    • For maximum protection, wear protective clothing such as gloves, a mask, and protective goggles when working with potassium nitrate. [6]
    • Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling potassium nitrate. Store it in a well-ventilated place and in a tightly closed container when you're not using it. [7]
    • Charcoal can also be used in place of potassium nitrate.
    • You might also opt to use kerosene to make your stump more flammable. However, you'll have to leave the stump for a week to soak up the kerosene before lighting it.
  6. Use a cup with a spout and a bucket full of hot water. Dip the cup into the bucket, then pour the water into the holes. Continue pouring water until all the potassium nitrate has dissolved.
    • You can also place funnels in each hole and pour water directly from the bucket into the funnels.
    • The water will help to spread the nitrate throughout the stump and make the entire structure more flammable.
    • You don't have to pour water into the stump if you opted for charcoal or kerosene instead of potassium nitrate.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Igniting the Stump

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  1. Place one end of each piece of scrap wood on the ground at an angle and have the opposite ends all meet over the top of the stump in a cone shape.
    • This is a common method of assembling firewood over open flames to promote combustibility.
    • You can also simply put the scrap wood on top of the tree stump. However, the stump may take longer to ignite this way.
  2. Use a match of kindling to light the scrap wood from the bottom. Do NOT use gas to light the scrap wood. [8]
    • The time it takes for a stump to catch on fire varies on a case-by-case basis. Allow up to 1 hour for the stump itself to ignite.
    • Dry leaves, dry bark, and even dryer lint all make good kindling when starting a fire. Any dry, easily shredded material makes great kindling.
  3. Your stump will probably take several hours, or maybe even days, to completely burn. Add scrap wood to the fire as necessary to keep burning the stump until it's gone.
    • You will most likely not have to add any wood to the fire for a small stump; the initial fire will probably be enough to burn the entire stump.
    • If your stump takes more than a day to be removed through burning, add wood to the fire until midnight, then let it burn until the morning. The fire will weaken overnight but in all likelihood will not die out.
  4. As the stump smolders and the wood is turned to ash, keep an eye on the stump to make sure the fire is under control and doesn't need to be rekindled. [9]
    • Be ready to put out the fire with water or dirt if it begins to burn out of control or threaten to spread to the surrounding area.
    • Schedule a hefty block of time in which to carry out your burning; the stump will probably take at least an hour or 2 to be removed.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Removing a Burned Stump

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  1. Once the fire has stopped smoldering and all the wood has been burned, use your shovel to break up any large pieces of root or stump that are still in the holes.
    • If the roots of the stump are still in place and tough to remove with a shovel, consider chopping them with an ax to break them up and make them easier to remove.
  2. Do NOT place these pieces on the grass surrounding the burned-out stump, as they may still be smoldering and could cause a fire.
    • Be careful when handling these pieces; if they're still smoldering, they can burn you. Use protective gloves if possible.
    • Aerated concrete or composite wood are good examples of fire-resistant materials you might use.
  3. Once all the debris has been removed, replace the area where the stump was with fresh soil to match the area surrounding the hole. [10]
    • Cover your newly filled hole with turf seed to cause grass to grow in the exposed patch of soil.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Will burning a stump kill it?
    Scott Johnson
    Landscape & Design Consultant
    Scott Johnson is the Owner and Lead Design Consultant for Concrete Creations, Inc., an award-winning landscape and design company based in the San Diego, California metro area. He has over 30 years of experience in the pool and landscape construction industry and specializes in large estate outdoor environment construction projects. His work has been featured in San Diego Home & Garden Magazine and on Pool Kings TV Show. He earned a BS degree in Construction Management with an emphasis in Architecture and CAD design from Northern Arizona University.
    Scott Johnson
    Landscape & Design Consultant
    Expert Answer
    Yes, burning a tree stump will kill the stump. It will also kill the tree's ability to grow back in the future. So if you never want the tree to come back, this is an alright way to go. I would recommend using a root killer instead of fire to kill the stump off though, since that doesn't involve burning anything.
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  • Question
    What is the fastest way to burn a stump out?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    You can speed up the process by making the stump more flammable. Drill a hole in the center with a spade bit and then drill holes roughly 8 inches (20 cm) to 10 inches (25 cm) deep in the top of the stump. Fill the holes with potassium nitrate and then pour hot water into the holes to dissolve the powder. Build a teepee of wood around the stump and set it on fire. Let it burn all of the way down and add more wood if you need to until the stump is gone.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Can you burn a stump to get rid of it?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    Absolutely! In fact, burning a stump is probably the easiest way to get rid of it. To help it burn faster in more evenly, drill holes about 8 inches (20 cm) to 10 inches (25 cm) deep on top of the stump and fill it with powdered potassium nitrate. Add some boiling water to help dissolve the powder and pile up some scrap wood around the stump. Set the wood on fire and add more as needed to burn away the whole stump.
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      Tips

      • Make sure to stay in touch with your local fire department when burning out tree stumps. They'll definitely want to be kept in the loop if you're planning to open burn!
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      Warnings

      • Use caution when handling and storing potassium nitrate, as it is a highly explosive chemical.
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      • Burning out a tree stump can easily lead to accidental fires. Avoid using this method of removing a tree stump during dry seasons or if your local government has a burn ban in place. [11]
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      Things You'll Need

      • Power drill
      • Wood Boring or Spade Bit
      • Potassium nitrate
      • Dry scrap wood
      • Hot water
      • Garden trowel
      • Shovel

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-kill-tree-stumps/
      2. ↑ Scott Johnson. Landscape & Design Consultant. Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.
      3. ↑ Scott Johnson. Landscape & Design Consultant. Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.
      4. ↑ https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/ilriverhort/2014-06-20-removing-tree-stumps
      5. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-kill-tree-stumps/
      6. ↑ https://sciencing.com/natural-sources-potassium-nitrate-5818529.html
      7. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-05/documents/9530619.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-kill-tree-stumps/
      9. ↑ https://www.architecturaldigest.com/reviews/lawn/how-to-kill-a-tree-stump
      1. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/trees/stump-removal
      2. ↑ https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/ilriverhort/2014-06-20-removing-tree-stumps

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To burn a tree stump, first clear away any debris from around the stump to prevent the fire from spreading across your yard. After you’ve cleared the area, use a 1-inch drill bit to bore deep holes all over the stump. Once you’ve drilled a dozen or so holes, fill them with potassium nitrate to help the stump burn all the way through. Pour hot water into each of the holes to dissolve the potassium nitrate. Then, construct a teepee shape around the stump with sticks, kindling wood, and newspaper or dry leaves to help the fire get started. Light the leaves or newspaper with a match to start the fire safely. Keep adding scrap wood to the stump until it’s fully burned. For more tips, including how to dispose of your burned tree stump, read on!

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