Gave it a try after reading about it here, drill a few holes, fill with diesel and let it burn. My stump was pretty punky but sure was easier than trying to dig it out with the BH. A lot less mess too. The stump in the picture is/was about 2 feet by 1 foot and 4 above the ground. Burned for about 48 hours.
Stump removal with diesel fuel burn
- Thread starter tuerdon
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kensnelling
Veteran Member
I'll bet it'll smolder underground for a while longer too. Several years ago my grandfather did that with an old oak stump, 2-2.5 feet in diameter. When spring came he had a big hole in the ground where the root ball smoldered away.
Ken
Ken
amstaff
Silver Member
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- 112
- Tractor
- Mahindra 5530
How many holes, and about how much diesel was used?
saltbranch
Silver Member
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- Sep 29, 2009
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Ive never had a problem with big holes left after burning our Mesquite stumps. I usually run a disc over the area or dump in some dirt with the FEL and smooth out.
savageactor7
Platinum Member
tuerdon we have a large 3' old locust stump about 6' from the house. Do you think that's too close to try with that method?
I don't want to dig it because I fear it will be a threat to the field stone cellar foundation. thanks
I don't want to dig it because I fear it will be a threat to the field stone cellar foundation. thanks
CharlieS
Gold Member
The method i've found works best for me is set half of a 55 gallon drum over the stump and build a fire in it.
When i clean up after cutting winters firewood, all the scraps that don't stack with the stove wood get cut and piled just for that purpose.
I cut the stump off just above ground then in the fall or early spring when things are damp, keep a fire burning in the barrel as long as needed to get the stump below ground level.
When i clean up after cutting winters firewood, all the scraps that don't stack with the stove wood get cut and piled just for that purpose.
I cut the stump off just above ground then in the fall or early spring when things are damp, keep a fire burning in the barrel as long as needed to get the stump below ground level.
Mark Page
Platinum Member
Not having access to diesel fuel, my father used to use charcoal. Not the least expensive way to go but a lot less smoke in a Suburban setting.
Savage, no way I'd start a fire that close to the house. Time to rent a stump grinder.
Savage, no way I'd start a fire that close to the house. Time to rent a stump grinder.
wedge40
Veteran Member
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Whats that green stuff in the upper left corner of the photo. 
Wedge
Wedge
savageactor7 this stump was about 5 feet from the cottage but no issue with it burning this close. The diesel starts the fire then it smolders for a long time as the stump is slowly burned away.
amstaff, drilled about 10 holes 4" deep and used about a half gallon of fuel
kensnelling, you are correct and you really need to watch out for root fires. I soaked it down after to make sure it was out. Don't try this in an area that has lots of pine trees, they can cause a fire up to 6 months after the burn due to roots smoldering for months.
amstaff, drilled about 10 holes 4" deep and used about a half gallon of fuel
kensnelling, you are correct and you really need to watch out for root fires. I soaked it down after to make sure it was out. Don't try this in an area that has lots of pine trees, they can cause a fire up to 6 months after the burn due to roots smoldering for months.
travis potter
Silver Member
I read someplace about drilling the stump then putting saltpeter and charcoal in the holes then filing the holes with diesel but I don't rember where or the exact process. The saltpeter and charcoal made black powder that burned very hot but will not explode. Can anyone help with info on this?????