There are many ways by which you remove your tree stump.

These include burning, grinding, pulling, and with the use of chemical tree stump removal products.

Chemical Tree Stump Removers That Work

I’d like to use this article to recommend some great chemical tree stump removers, but before I do, let’s take a look at the advantages of this tree stump removal approach.

READ: Types of Root Killers

Advantages Of Removing Tree Stump With Chemicals

Every tree stump removal approach has its benefits.

Below are some of the advantages that come with chemical tree stump killers and homemade ones, such as Epsom salt and charcoal.

You don’t need any help: A tree stump is a large, heavy piece of wood. You can imagine how hard ripping off the ground would be, unless you’re Superman of course!

With a chemical tree stump killer, you don’t need any extra set of hands to get the job done. All you need is a little change and a few minutes of your time to head on to the store and buy the chemicals needed.

No large machines required: If you were to use a stump grinder or a backhoe, it would mean inviting heavy machinery into your yard. This could be a problem, especially if your yard isn’t that spacious.

A stump grinder can manage the spaces, but a larger piece of equipment like a tractor would be a problem.

Big machines also make loud noises that could be irritating to you and your next-door neighbor. You will need to guard your ears against such noises, but not when you use a chemical tree stump remover.

It is a cost-effective method: Buying or renting a stump grinder would require you to put your hands deeper into your pocket as opposed to buying a chemical stump remover.

Chemical removers are by far cheaper to purchase and will save you a lot of money if you decide to stick with that method for tree stump removal.

Homemade stump removers are even considered cheaper alternatives.

They are safe to use: Chainsaws and stump grinders are very effective tools for tree stump removal, but they are also dangerous. The blades on a chainsaw and the cutting wheel of a stump grinder can severely injure or dismember the user if the proper precautions are not taken.

This is not the case when using a chemical tree stump remover. With them, you wouldn’t have any blades to deal with so you will be spared of any accidental cuts.

A word of caution though, chemical tree stump killers are safe to use, but you MUST NOT ingest them or allow them to come in contact with your eyes.

READ: Stump Rotting Guide

That being said, allow me to recommend some great brands!

Best Chemical Tree Stump Killer Reviews

Check out these brands.

  1. Spectracide HG-66420 Stump Remover

This is the very first chemical stump remover on my list. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, then this would be the right choice.

The Spectracide HG-66420 remover comes in a user-friendly easy-to-pour bottle. Spectracide stump remover ingredients include a compound I granule form which speeds up the decomposition of the tree stump. It does this by making the wood porous.

I have to mention that you need to use it alongside a brush killer herbicide. Using this product will also require the drilling of holes in the stump so the chemicals can act faster.

After you have poured the chemical into the holes, you will need to add some hot water so the powder can dissolve and get to every part of the stump and its roots as fast as they can.

When the stump is dissolved, it can be easily removed along with the roots.

It comes in a 16-ounce bottle, which should do for one stump, depending on the size of the course.

Pros

  • It is very affordable when compared to other products in its class
  • It causes no harm to other plants in the surroundings
  • It doesn’t require any mixing beyond the hot water
  • It is easy to use

Cons

  • It takes a long time to work
  • It is not as effective on larger stumps
  • It requires the use of a brush killer

  1. Bonide Vine & Stump Killer

This is another option that won’t eat a hole in your pocket cash-wise. It comes packaged in a smaller 8-ounce bottle and it is specially formulated to kill vines, broadleaf weeds, and woody plants.

The good thing is, it comes with its applicator brush, which makes using it very easy. The applicator brush ensures the chemical is targeted specifically to the stump you want to be removed, so there will be no harm caused to other trees in the surroundings.

With this product, there is no chance of the stump re-sprouting, as it kills the plants from deep inside the roots. This makes root removal very easy after its work has been done.

Pros

  • It is fairly priced
  • It offers you targeted application
  • It doesn’t harm surrounding plants
  • It can be diluted

Cons

  • It is time-consuming
  • It is not as strong ad higher grade stump killers
  • It is not ideal for larger stumps

  1. Bonide (BND272) Chemical Stump Remover

If you’re looking you’re looking to remove a large stump with a chemical, then this may be your best choice.

This product has easy-to-use features, including the granules which are made with sodium metabisulfite, and not potassium nitrate. Metabisulfite is the same compound used to break down wood pulp in paper mills.

Using this product, you would have to pre-treat the stump with a brush killer, that is right after you have cut the tree down.

After this chemical has been applied, there will be no need for chopping or sawing, since the chemical rots the tree stump from deep inside. It would take 4 to 6 weeks for the decomposition process to be complete.

The content of this bottle is enough to treat an average-sized stump.

Pros

  • It is fairly priced
  • It is easy to use
  • Doesn’t require any mixing
  • It offers focused application

Cons

  • It takes as long as 6 weeks to fully rot the tree
  • Some extra preparation is required before you use this chemical

  1. Voluntary Purchasing Group Hi-Yield Stump Killer

Here’s another chemical stump killer you can try. It comes in a 16-ounce bottle that is made up of the active ingredient Triclopyr

This is a selective herbicide that is meant for poison ivy plants, vines, and woody plants. Be advised not to allow this chemical to get into the soil, as it can cause harm to nearby trees.

To use this product, apply it using a paintbrush over the tree stump or branches and leave it to do its job. To get the best results, it is advised you do not dilute it. This is not to say diluting it will not produce good results, because it can.

When undiluted, it can work more effectively around the areas it reaches. But when diluted, it can spread around the tree stump faster.

Pros

  • Good value for money
  • You can use it diluted or undiluted
  • It works well on woody vines
  • Easy to apply thanks to its brush

Cons

  • It takes longer to work on large tree stumps

  1. VPG Fertilome 32295 Stump Killer

This chemical stump remover comes in a jumbo-sized 32-ounce bottle, ideal for large tree stumps (or more than one average-sized tree stump). It contains Triclopyr as its major ingredient.

This product was made to kill broadleaf weeds, poison ivy and vines, however, it will kill almost any tree stump. For this reason, you need to be careful when applying it. Luckily, applying it on the stump surface is very easy, thanks to its brush.

All you have to do is cut or drill the tree open and apply the solution inside the exposed parts of the surfaces using the brush.

What I like most about this product is that it can be used as a spray.

Be careful when you spray though, make sure it is applied on the stump you want dead.

Pros

  • It kills a wide range of plants
  • It is easy to use
  • It comes in large quantity
  • It is ideal for larger tree stumps

Cons

  • The rotting process is quite slow

  1. Tree Stump Remover Granules (Professional Grade)

This chemical tree stump remover works just like the other above mentioned brands. Easy to use, fast, and effective.

The good thing is, it comes in a variety of sizes up to a huge 50lbs bag, so you can choose the one that is suitable for your tree stump size.

It is friendly with the other surrounding plants so you have nothing to worry about.

Its potassium nitrate composition makes the rotting process go a lot faster so your stump will be gone sooner than you’d expect.

Pros

  • It comes in different sizes
  • It is easy to apply
  • It speeds up decomposition

Cons

  • It requires site preparation

Conclusion

There you go, my recommended chemical tree stump removers and killers.

I’m sure you’d fancy using one out of the ones I’ve listed above.

Thanks for reading!

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