How to Cut the Roots of a Pine on a Slope
- 1). Rake the space around the stump to clear it from any leaves, needles, or other debris that will cause an unsure footing.
- 2). Evacuate the space around the stump with shovels to uncover the roots. Depending upon the size of the tree the trench can be 24 to 34 inches wide, with a larger tree requiring more digging. Start at the top of the slope and work your way around in a circle to the bottom of the slope.
- 3). Trench under the main roots using a hand trowel. Clear away the soil on both sides of the roots to avoid having the chain saw blade hit dirt or a rock.
- 4). Cut into the main roots on the downslope of the stump with the tip of the chainsaw. This may involve cutting multiple wedges from the root until you have enough woody material removed to then cut all the way though.
- 5). Move to the side and cut the roots from both sides and then cut the roots from the top.
- 6). Force the steel bar as far as possible under the main portion of the stump from the top. Lift up on the bar, raising the stump into the air. If the stump only goes a few inches then place wood blocks under the raised portion.
- 7). Cut the smaller roots around the sides and top and lift the stump again. Place more blocks under the roots to securely hold it into place.
- 8). Reach under the stump from the topside with the chainsaw and cut through the tap root if there is one. A tap root can extend dozens of feet into the ground and the stump will not come out as long as it is uncut.
- 9). Continue to lift the stump with the bar and cut the roots around the topside and sides of the stump. On flat ground you can lift all the way around the stump, but lifting with a bar from the downhill side is much more difficult.
- 10
Leverage the stump with the beam until it finally comes out of the ground falls over to the downhill side. This exposes sufficient roots under the downhill side that you can then safely chainsaw them and remove the stump.
