If you want a stump gone straight away, the most effective option is usually stump grinding. If you want to remove it by hand, you can dig around it, cut the roots, and lever it out, but it is hard physical work. If speed is not important, you can also accelerate decay with a chemical stump remover or Epsom salt, then remove the softened stump later.
For most Australian households, the best method depends on the stump’s size, location, and how quickly you need the area cleared. Jim’s Trees also notes that, depending on your location and the works involved, you may need to check council requirements before removal works begin.
The Bottom Line
Tree stumps can be removed in four main ways:
- Stump grinding: fastest and usually the most practical option for immediate removal
- Manual digging: cheapest in terms of out-of-pocket cost, but the most labour-intensive
- Chemical or salt treatment: easier physically, but slow
- Natural decomposition: lowest effort, but takes the longest
If you need the area ready for turf, paving, replanting, or landscaping, grinding the stump around 20 to 30 cm below ground level is usually the best option. If the stump is small and accessible, you may be able to dig it out with hand tools. Large stumps, deep root systems, and awkward access often make professional removal the smarter choice.
Top Ways to Get Rid of Tree Stumps
| Method | Best for | Speed | Effort | Main drawback |
| Stump grinder | Fast removal, replanting, landscaping | Fast | Medium | Usually needs hire or a professional |
| Manual digging | Small stumps, shallow roots, tight budgets | Medium | High | Very hard work |
| Chemical stump remover or Epsom salt | Low-effort removal over time | Slow | Low | Takes weeks or longer |
| Natural decomposition | Non-urgent stumps in low-use areas | Very slow | Very low | Unpredictable timeline |
| Burning | Limited situations only | Variable | Medium | Often restricted by local rules |
Method 1: Dig the Stump Out by Hand
Manual removal works best on smaller stumps, recently cut trees, and species with less aggressive root systems.
What you need
- Shovel
- Mattock
- Axe
- Pruning saw or reciprocating saw
- Loppers
- Crowbar or digging bar
- Gloves, boots, and eye protection
How to do it
- Dig around the stump
Use a mattock and shovel to remove soil from around the base until the main roots are exposed. - Expose as much of the root flare as possible
The more root you expose, the easier it is to see where to cut and where to apply leverage. - Cut the side roots
Use an axe, saw, or reciprocating saw to cut through the major roots. Cut them as far from the centre as possible, because that gives you better leverage. - Rock the stump back and forth
Once several roots are cut, start rocking the stump to reveal hidden roots underneath. - Cut the taproot or underside roots
Some trees have a deep central root or a cluster of anchoring roots. These usually need to be cut before the stump will lift. - Lever the stump out
Use a crowbar or digging bar to pry it up and out of the ground.
When manual removal makes sense
Manual digging is a good option when:
- The stump is small
- The root system is not too extensive
- Machinery cannot access the site
- you want to avoid hiring equipment
When it becomes impractical
Hand removal becomes much harder when:
- The stump diameter is large
- The tree had an aggressive or spreading root system
- The stump is close to retaining walls, pipes, paving, or fences
- The soil is rocky or compacted
Method 2: Use a Stump Grinder
For immediate removal, this is usually the best option.
A stump grinder chews the stump into wood chips, usually down to about 12 inches below ground level, which is enough for most lawn and garden reinstatement work. Stump grinding is also recognised as part of tree work guidance in Australia, and Safe Work Australia stresses that tree work, including stump grinding, carries safety risks that need to be managed properly.
Why it is often the preferred method
- Fast results
- Less digging than full extraction
- Suitable for most suburban blocks
- Produces mulch-like chips that can often be reused
- Leaves the area ready for topsoil, turf, or replanting after backfilling
Basic process
- Cut the stump as low as possible first.
- Clear rocks, metal, and debris from around the base.
- Grind the stump down in passes.
- Work below soil level if you want the area levelled and replanted.
- Backfill the hole with grindings and soil, or remove the excess chips and top up with clean fill.
Important safety note
Hire equipment only if you are comfortable using it and can follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Safe Work Australia’s guidance on tree work includes stump grinding because of the hazards involved, including moving machinery and flying debris.
Method 3: Use a Chemical Stump Remover or Epsom Salt
This is the low-effort, slow-results method.
How it works
- Drill large holes into the stump, about 1 inch wide and 6 to 12 inches deep.
- Fill the holes with a stump remover product or Epsom salt.
- Add water if required by the product directions.
- Cover the stump with a tarp to retain moisture and heat.
- Wait several weeks, then test whether the timber has softened enough to break apart or dig out.
What to expect
Chemical and salt methods do not make the stump disappear overnight. They help speed up decomposition, but you will usually still need to chop out or break apart the remains later. In practical terms, these products are decomposition aids rather than instant removers.
Australian caution
Availability of potassium nitrate stump remover can vary in Australia, and retail guidance indicates these products are generally restricted or not commonly available in the same way they are overseas.
Method 4: Let the Stump Rot Naturally
If the stump is out of the way and not causing problems, natural decay may be enough.
How to speed it up
- Keep the stump moist
- Cover it with mulch or soil
- Add a nitrogen fertiliser
- Encourage fungal activity in damp, shaded areas
This method suits garden beds and low-traffic areas where appearance is not urgent. It is not ideal if you want to build, pave, replant, or prevent regrowth quickly.
Method 5: Burning, Only Where It Is Legal and Safe
Burning is sometimes suggested as a stump removal method, usually by drilling holes, adding kerosene, and burning the stump down over time. However, in Australia this approach is heavily affected by local council rules, EPA restrictions, fire danger periods, and total fire bans.
In New South Wales, for example, EPA guidance states that open burning of vegetation is not generally allowed unless your local council approves it, and no-burn notices or total fire bans override other permissions. Many councils also prohibit open-air burning without a permit.
Because of that, burning is usually not the first recommendation for suburban properties.
Which Method Is Best?
Choose stump grinding if:
- You want the stump gone now
- you are preparing for turf, paving, or replanting
- The stump is medium to large
- You want the cleanest and quickest result
Choose manual digging if:
- The stump is small
- You have good access with hand tools
- You are willing to do heavy physical work
- you want to avoid machinery hire
ChoYou want to avoid machinery hireose chemical or salt treatment if:
- Speed is not important
- The stump is in a low-use part of the yard
- You want to reduce physical effort
- Machine access is poor
Choose professional removal if:
- The stump is large or deeply rooted
- It is close to buildings, paths, drains, or services
- There are multiple stumps
- You suspect regrowth issues
- You want the site restored quickly
Tips for Success
- Work in dry weather: dry soil is easier to shake off roots, while wet soil clings and makes digging heavier.
- Cut roots further from the trunk: this improves leverage when rocking the stump loose.
- Check for services: take care around irrigation, pipes, conduits, and drainage.
- Clear the site first: rocks, steel edging, and buried debris can damage tools and grinders.
- Think about regrowth: some species can sucker or reshoot if the root system remains active.
- Check local requirements: Jim’s Trees notes that stump and tree works may require council permission in some areas, depending on the site and the protection rules in force.
When to Call a Tree Stump Removal Professional
It is usually worth bringing in a professional when:
- The stump is too large to cut out safely by hand
- Machinery is needed in a confined area
- Roots may affect nearby structures
- You need multiple stumps removed
- You want reliable removal without trial and error
That is especially true when the stump sits near fences, retaining walls, footings, sewer lines, or established garden beds.
Final Answer
Yes, you can dig out a tree stump yourself, but the right method depends on how quickly you need it gone and how much effort you want to put in. For a small stump, manual digging with a mattock, axe, and saw can work well. For fast, clean removal, a stump grinder is usually the best choice, especially if you need the stump ground 20 to 30 cm below the surface. For a slower and easier approach, chemical stump remover, Epsom salt, or natural rotting can help break the stump down over time.
For most Australian homes, stump grinding is the most efficient option, while large, stubborn, or deeply rooted stumps are usually best left to a professional.