Tree Stump Removal: Should You DIY or Hire a Professional?

So you’ve had a tree removed, and now you’re left staring at an unsightly stump in your garden. It’s a common dilemma for homeowners across Oxfordshire: should you tackle the removal yourself or bring in the professionals? Let’s explore your options.

Why Remove a Tree Stump at All?

Before diving into the how, it’s worth considering the why. Leaving a stump in place might seem harmless, but there are several good reasons to remove it:

• Trip hazards: Stumps can be dangerous, especially as grass grows around them
• Pest attraction: Decaying wood attracts insects, fungi, and potentially termites
• New growth: Many species will send up new shoots from the stump
• Aesthetics: A stump can detract from your garden’s appearance
• Space: You can’t plant or build where a stump sits

DIY Stump Removal Methods

If you’re considering tackling the job yourself, here are the most common approaches:

1. Manual Digging

What’s involved: Using a spade, mattock, and axe to dig around the stump, cut roots, and lever it out.

Pros:

• Low cost (just your time and basic tools)
• No chemicals or machinery
• Good exercise

Cons:

• Extremely labour-intensive
• Only practical for small stumps (under 30cm diameter)
• Can take several hours or even days
• Risk of back injury
• Difficult if roots run under paths or structures

2. Chemical Removal

What’s involved: Drilling holes in the stump and applying potassium nitrate or a commercial stump remover to accelerate decomposition.

Pros:

• Minimal physical effort
• Relatively inexpensive

Cons:

• Takes 4-6 weeks (or longer) to work
• Requires patience and follow-up applications
• Chemicals need to be kept away from children and pets
• Not suitable near waterways
• Still leaves you with a softened stump to remove

3. Burning

What’s involved: Drilling holes, adding fuel, and burning the stump out.

Pros:

• Can be effective for dry, seasoned stumps

Cons:

• Fire risk to surrounding areas
• May require permission from local council
• Produces significant smoke
• Doesn’t remove the root system
• Not recommended in most residential settings

4. DIY Stump Grinder Hire

What’s involved: Renting a stump grinder from a tool hire company and operating it yourself.

Pros:

• Faster than manual methods
• Removes stump below ground level

Cons:

• Hire costs £100-200+ per day
• Machines are heavy and potentially dangerous
• Requires transporting heavy equipment
• No training or experience with the machinery
• Risk of damage to underground utilities
• You’re liable for any accidents or damage

Professional Stump Grinding

When you hire a professional tree surgery company, they’ll typically use industrial-grade stump grinding equipment to remove the stump efficiently and safely.

What’s involved: A powerful rotating disc with carbide teeth grinds the stump into small chips, typically 15-30cm below ground level.

Advantages of Professional Removal

Speed and efficiency: What might take you a weekend can be done in under an hour for most stumps.

Proper equipment: Professional grinders are far more powerful than hire machines, handling larger stumps with ease.

Experience matters: Trained operators know how to assess each stump, avoid utilities, and handle complications like hidden metal or stone.

Insurance and liability: Professional arborists carry public liability insurance, protecting you if anything goes wrong.

Waste removal: Most professionals include removing or spreading the wood chips as part of the service.

Root treatment: If the tree was diseased, professionals can advise on treating the root system to prevent spread.

When DIY Makes Sense

Manual removal might be appropriate if:

• The stump is very small (under 20cm diameter)
• You have plenty of time and enjoy physical work
• The tree species has shallow roots
• You’re confident in your abilities and physical fitness

When to Call the Professionals

Professional help is advisable when:

• The stump is larger than 30cm diameter
• You have multiple stumps to remove
• The stump is near buildings, walls, or utilities
• Access is difficult (slopes, tight spaces)
• Time is a factor
• The tree was diseased and needs proper treatment
• You have any concerns about safety

The Cost Question

Many people attempt DIY to save money, but consider the full picture:

Factor	DIY	Professional
Tool hire	£100-200+	Included
Your time	Several hours/days	None
Physical strain	High	None
Risk of injury	Present	Minimal
Risk of property damage	Present	Covered by insurance
Quality of result	Variable	Consistent

When you factor in hire costs, fuel, your time, and the risk of damage or injury, professional removal often represents better value than it first appears.

Making Your Decision

There’s no shame in tackling a small stump yourself if you’re fit, have the time, and know what you’re doing. But for most homeowners, the convenience, speed, and peace of mind that comes with professional stump removal makes it the sensible choice.

Need a Stump Removed?

If you’ve got a stubborn stump that needs to go, we’re here to help. Our team serves Bicester and the surrounding Oxfordshire area, and we’d be happy to provide a free, no-obligation quote.

Get in touch today to discuss your stump removal needs.