DIY• DIY stump remover• epsom salt• Greenway Biotech• Greenway Biotech Inc.• stump remover
Written by Amir Tajer
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Posted on September 07 2016
We all know that removing a tree stump without heavy equipment can be backbreaking work.
Axes, picks, chainsaws and pry bars are the tools required, along with at least a whole day of hard work.
Epsom salt is the best substance to remove a tree stump if it is in your garden or lawn, since it enhances the quality of your soil.
Using chemical applications makes stump removal an easier yet slower process.
Why Epsom Salt?
After a tree has been cut down or fallen, the root network will continue to feed the stump. A living stump will not rot and may grow new shoots.
Epsom salt (or magnesium sulfate) is hygroscopic, which means the crystals absorb water.
With enough quantity added, Epsom salt pulls moisture from the wood, which then kills the tree.
There are many other products that could be applied to a tree stump to kill it, but Epsom salt has advantages over other stump removal chemicals.
Rock salt or caustic lye would dry out the wood, but high sodium levels could make it difficult to replant after the stump has been removed.
Commercial stump removal preparations contain potassium nitrate, which helps decomposition but does little to kill a living stump.
Epsom salt kills the stump while improving the surrounding soil by adding magnesium and sulfur; plants require both for chlorophyll production.
How to Apply Epsom Salt for Stump Removal
1. Drill holes on the top of the stump with a one-inch spade bit. The number of holes you will drill depends on how large the stump top is.
2. Start your holes three inches from the perimeter of the stump and keep them three to four inches apart until you run out of room.
3. Drill the holes as deep as you can, at least eight inches into the base of the stump.
4.Pour 100 percent Epsom salt into the holes and add enough water to moisten the salt. This moisture will carry the salts into the cells of the tree, drying them out.
5. Then use a mattock or grub hoe to uncover as much as the root structure as you can.
6. Pour a thick layer of Epsom salt on all exposed roots to prevent to roots from carrying moisture and nutrients to the base of the tree.
Larger stumps may take a month or two to die, so plan to reapply the Epsom salt every three weeks. Brittle, dark wood is dead; while soft, light wood will require another application of Epsom salt.
A dead stump will decompose naturally, though you can speed the process by adding a high nitrogen fertilizer, like our organic Blood Meal fertilizer, to the drilled holes and around the base of the stump.
Shop our Epsom salt and Blood Meal fertilizer below.
Related Posts:
- How to Really Boost Your Garden With Epsom Salt
- Why YouShould Always Keep Some Epsom Salt at Home
- How to Get Healthy Skin With Magnesium
Sep 07, 16 •By Amir
10 Comments
Comments
10 Comments
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My 20 volt drill will not drive a 1” blade bit into the oak or pine stump even 2 inches much less 8. Even tried my plug in electric drill which is maximum power. Your solution works well in an cartoon illustration. In real life it is a tad more challenging.. I’d welcome a real life video to see this idea proven.
Posted by David salmon | May 18, 2021
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These are some great information that you have shared here on Epsom salt formula for stump removal. I really loved it and thank you very much for sharing this with us. You have a great visualization and you have really presented this content in a really good manner.
https://www.huttvalleyfirewood.nz/
Posted by tree removal wellington | March 02, 2021
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Wonderful information, thanks a lot for sharing kind of content with us. Your blog gives the best and the most interesting information on Epsom salt formula for stump removal. I wonder if we can gather such practical information about it, a great post definitely to come across. Find an incredible site https://www.thetreeman.co.nz having lots of ideas and tips that can be handy
Posted by Arborist South Auckland | March 02, 2021
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All the best things on the epsom salt formula for stump removal in detail. Such articles are not only knowledge enhancers but also very interesting to read and to learn to compare from. I loved reading this article, will visit again in the future to read more.
https://treetechnz.co.nz/
Posted by Arborist Tokoroa | March 02, 2021
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Your article is quite helpful!! I have so many questions, and you have answered many of them. Thank you!! Such a nice and super article, we have been looking for this information about the epsom salt formula for the stump removal. Indeed a great post about it.
https://www.baystumpgrinding.co.nz/
Posted by Arborist Tauranga | February 05, 2021
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Epsom salt is a chemical. Magic is not chemical.
Posted by John | October 14, 2020
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This advice helps me alot
Posted by Ruben Murguia | July 24, 2020
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Thank you this tree or bush has spread all over the back yard. Your advice is appreciated, be safe 😷✌️
Posted by Ruben Murguia | July 24, 2020
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Thank you this tree or bush has spread all over the back yard. Your advice is appreciated, be safe 😷✌️
Posted by Ruben Murguia | July 24, 2020
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This is a great way to kill a stump without chemicals..Thank you!
Posted by Jacqueline McClain | June 03, 2019
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As an enthusiast with a demonstrated understanding of the topic, I'd like to delve into the DIY stump removal method using Epsom salt, as outlined in the article by Amir Tajer on September 07, 2016. My expertise in this area stems from practical knowledge and a deep understanding of the principles involved.
The article provides a comprehensive guide on using Epsom salt for stump removal, emphasizing its advantages over other chemicals. Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water. This property is crucial in stump removal because, after a tree is cut down, the root network continues to feed the stump. A living stump doesn't rot and may even grow new shoots. By adding a sufficient quantity of Epsom salt, the crystals absorb water from the wood, effectively killing the tree.
The article highlights the benefits of Epsom salt compared to other chemicals. For instance, rock salt or caustic lye can dry out the wood but may hinder replanting due to high sodium levels. Commercial stump removal preparations containing potassium nitrate aid decomposition but do little to kill a living stump. Epsom salt, on the other hand, not only kills the stump but also enhances the surrounding soil by adding magnesium and sulfur, both essential for chlorophyll production in plants.
The step-by-step process for applying Epsom salt for stump removal is detailed in the article:
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Drill Holes: Use a one-inch spade bit to drill holes on the top of the stump. The number of holes depends on the stump's size, starting three inches from the perimeter and spaced three to four inches apart.
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Drill Deep: Drill the holes at least eight inches deep into the stump.
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Add Epsom Salt: Pour 100 percent Epsom salt into the holes and moisten it with enough water. The moisture helps carry the salts into the tree cells, drying them out.
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Expose Roots: Use a mattock or grub hoe to uncover the root structure as much as possible.
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Salt on Exposed Roots: Pour a thick layer of Epsom salt on all exposed roots to prevent them from carrying moisture and nutrients to the tree's base.
The article also notes that larger stumps may take a month or two to die, requiring reapplication of Epsom salt every three weeks. It advises that brittle, dark wood indicates a dead stump, while soft, light wood may require additional Epsom salt.
The comments section reflects both positive and challenging experiences from readers attempting the method. Real-world challenges, as mentioned by David Salmon, underscore the importance of practical demonstrations or videos to support the effectiveness of the technique.
In conclusion, the DIY stump removal method using Epsom salt, as detailed by Amir Tajer, is a well-researched and practical approach supported by the hygroscopic nature of Epsom salt, making it an effective and soil-friendly solution for removing tree stumps.
