Bonide Stump Out is the best stump killer on the market but we’ve tested more. Here’s what you need to know.
Bonide
This granular tree stump remover can be used on many woody plants such as vines or bushes. It is this versatility that made it stand out to us. It comes in granules, and the container cap makes the application as simple as possible.
However, it is best used for trunks that are at least a year old. Though it might act as a growth control when applied to fresh ones, it will fail to kill it.
To use it, place the granules into pre-drilled holes in your stump and dissolve them in water. Reapply as needed until it turns brittle and porous. It should take about six weeks.
| Brand | Bonide |
| Item Weight | 7.2 ounces |
| Liquid Volume | 8 Fluid Ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 4 x 4 x 6 inches |
Pros
- It managed to kill mesquite.
- It does take time and patience to work.
- It’s easy to apply.
- The container should last you a long time.
Cons
- It would be convenient if it came with an eyedropper applicator.
- It’s not a miracle product and takes time.
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Methods available
This section will take a closer look at our available options. After reading it, you will be acquainted with the benefits and drawbacks of each method.
Using a stump grinder
If it is speed you seek, no tool will get the job done faster than a stump grinder. Resembling a lawn mower, the grinder was devised to shred whatever dares to stand in its path ruthlessly. As no chemicals are required, it does not harm the surrounding flora. What’s more, it will only be a matter of hours before you eliminate the unseemly landmark.
These devices are expensive to purchase, and you are unlikely to use them much. We recommend you rent one for a day, though it will still be the most expensive method. The other disadvantage is the manual labor required to operate it, although this shouldn’t be a problem if you are used to mowing your lawn.
All told, this method is suitable for those readers who don’t mind spending some extra cash to make short work of the tree stump.
Digging it out
The second fastest approach is to take the matter into your own hands – quite literally. All you need is a spade and handsaw. Before you get to work, evaluate the size of the trunk you wish to dig up. This method works for smaller stumps and, to some degree, for medium-sized ones.
Unfortunately, particularly voluminous stumps might pose an insurmountable challenge. The type of the surrounding soil also plays a role. Moist, soft soil will be easy to work with. However, dry and stony one might refuse to give in. In either case, we recommend giving up the fruitless labor and checking out the other methods we offer.
To summarize, manual digging works best for small trunks planted in moist, soft soil.
Burn it out
Setting the stump ablaze might seem more like desperation rather than a rational decision, but it can get the job done. Together with manual digging, it is also the cheapest method. The fire should decimate the trunk in less than two days, but you must prepare it in advance. The preparations include drilling holes into the stump and dousing it with fuel or other flammable substance.
If you opt for this quick and cheap method, be careful – you’re playing with fire!
Use a tree stump remover.
One visit to a nearby home store will take you to a world filled with innumerable tree stump killer chemicals you’ve never dreamed existed. Readily available, these products are relatively cheap. They are guaranteed to eat away the grotesque lumps in your garden. If you’re wondering why we bothered mentioning the other methods when these products will get the job done for you, there is one significant downside. They usually take more than two months to work their magic. After this time, the trunk will turn soft and brittle. You can easily remove it.
Using Epsom salts
We offer an alternative to the chemical tree stump removers for our eco-friendly readers. Natural and readily available, Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) work similarly to their synthetic counterparts. The one disadvantage is that they might not match their efficacy.
Using copper nails
Copper is a metal noxious to tree trunks. Thus, it can be used to kill them. In addition, its area of effect is contained solely to the trunk itself. It means that no nearby vegetation is harmed in the process.
Remember that although this technique might work for smaller trees, large ones might survive the ordeal.
Does stump killer really work & what is it?
As their name implies, these are chemical substances devised to kill tree stumps. Created to fulfill this one purpose, they do indeed work. Most of them contain potassium nitrate – a key substance that accelerates the decomposition process. Whatever doubts you might have about their efficacy likely stems from the time they need to work. Even though they speed up decay tremendously, it will still take weeks or even months until they kill it.
Stumped by the sheer amount of products available? Here are some of the products we’ve reviewed:
Roundup
Beginner-friendly yet effective, we were particularly pleased with this product. In addition to killing stumps, this versatile product also works on common weeds.
Since it is liquid, you must first dilute it with water. The recommended ratio is 1:9, Roundup to water. The application itself is simple – spray the solution onto a tree trunk. In a couple of weeks, it will eat it through it all the way to the roots. Not more than a month passed before we could see the results.
Given it is not a particularly picky herbicide, be sure you do not plant everything over the trunk for at least a week. Otherwise, the trace amounts of the chemical might harm your freshly planted vegetation.
Spectracide
Another good option to get rid of these pesky monuments is Spectracide. Although it is slower, it is a very economical option. We’ve noticed it works best for small to medium trunks, as it struggled a little with the biggest ones. However, it is gentle to the surrounding vegetation. It ensures that the nearby plant will be left unscathed.
As opposed to the previous product, this one comes in granules. Place them into the prepared holes in the stump and then pour water over them so that they dissolve.
In case you are dealing with a fresh stump, we recommend that you first apply a brush killer to the surrounding area. This will remove the surrounding moisture and increase the efficacy of the product.
| Brand | Spectracide |
| Item Weight | 1 pounds |
| Manufacturer | United Industries |
| Product Dimensions | 9.7 x 4 x 1.9 inches |
Pros
- It’s a great product for the money.
- The spout is easy to pour from.
- It vastly speeds up degrading dead wood.
Cons
- Make sure you read the instructions to use it properly.
- It does not work on a live stump.
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Gordon’s
A particularly lethal concoction, Gordon’s Tree Stump Killer will make short work of the trunk. Killing the roots as well ensures that they will never grow back. What’s more, we still have plenty of this product left – it came in a 32-ounce bottle.
The application is extremely easy since the container is a very practical squirt bottle. Just apply it to the stump and let it work its magic. Bear in mind that it is a non-selective herbicide – it might harm the nearby flora.
Have you figured out which of these methods you’ll be using?
- Stump grinder
- Digging it out
- Burning it
- Using a chemical product
- Using copper nails
