How to Dig Out Stumps
- 1). Cut the tree or shrub down so that it is at a manageable height to allow for digging around the stump. The height of the stump will depend on the type of tree you are trying to get rid of. For bigger trees, the stump should be from 1 to 2 feet tall. For smaller trees or shrubs, the branches are not as thick and can be cut closer to the ground.
- 2). Use the spade to dig around the stump's perimeter. The biggest thing to remember at this stage is not to dig too close to the stump. The general rule should be to dig anywhere from one to two feet away from the stump, more if you are dealing with a very large tree.
- 3). Use the landscaping bar to cut some of the roots around the stump. The landscaping bar should have a sharp edge on one end of it to help cut through the deeper roots. Continue moving around the stump about three to five times, each time sticking the landscaping bar into the ground and moving it slightly back and forth. While it may seem like nothing is being accomplished, you are actually cutting through more roots than you might think.
- 4). Continue cutting until you see the stump begin to move. At this point, the stump is most likely ready to be removed. Grab the base of the stump and pull up until it has been removed from the ground. If some roots remain attached, simply put the stump back down and cut the remaining roots.
