That stump is not on the "back forty"... and access looks very limited. Backhoe's in Cambridge.....LOL :).

There is no easy way....

Shaun needs a good workout anyways :D

Does it have to be gone? Why not just cut it flush.

And what was said above about Black Locust. Used for fenceposts before PT and it was longer lasting.

Do NOT use an axe to try and break it up.

I found this out at age seven when I proudly went out with my grandpa to help him do just that one morning with a big stump that was front of his house.

I learned two important things that morning:

1. I could run faster than grandpa
2. Wasps like to build nests By tunneling into old, semi-rotted dead wood (like stumps).

I “only” got stung six times. My grandpa got twelve or thirteen (that I know of).

It was not a fun experience. The first whack of the axe and a cloud of pissed-off wasps erupted from the thing.

How would you remove this stump?

I won't ... that's Shaun's stump :D

I'll snap a pic of "my" issue next chance I get... and see what PPOT suggests ;)

Stump has to be gone. Neighbor is the nicest neighbor in the world but I won't bring a backhoe back there. And it would tear up the retaining wall and pavement. Has to be closer to a surgical removal.

I have used a big wet/dry shop vac to dig dirt/sand and small rocks
no or less need to wet the dirt to soup
just loosen it a bit and suck it out
branch clippers to get the smaller roots
saws-all for the bigger ones
digging bar helps also

Funny, I had the same exact experience with my Grand pa. I got lit up bad. They got up inside of my clothes. I was runnig as fast as I could , trying to shed clothes . The neighbors were amused My whole body had a heartbeat that night . Grandma knew exactly what to do . Set me down in a bath of Baking Soda

This video includes a surprisingly high number of successes and relatively few failures. One of the things that shocked me most was the number of soft organic bodies that seemed to be too close to the action. Clearly those folks don't have enough of an imagination.

I'm not remotely an experienced novice or expert, but I'm thinking a combination of chainsaw and sawzall should mostly do the trick. I don't think it's going to be possible to get rid of all of it, and "most of it" will have to suffice. But knowing Shawn, he'll manage far more than I would have though possible.

acetylene/cutting torch? ;)

Great advice. A long pry bar/digging bar is key. I have two that are five feet tall.

Honestly, thanks for this thread, Shaun - I had never seen the angle grinder "chain saw" so I order two:D

Good luck.

Mine are probably 7'... yep, an essential part of the aresenal.

Dump your charcoal on it and it will burn, especially if you drill into it first and can clear out around the roots a little.

Only problem with burning it is enough oxygen, small fan will help with that. I have seen stumps like that burned out with a propane torch too.

Is something being built there soon that puts you in a time crunch?

You’ll need a sawsall with lots of blades. Use a come-along to put tension on it to make cutting easier - it’ll be flopping around and moving with the blade otherwise. Go straight for the roots, don’t mess with the trunk, you’ll need it for leverage to break off small roots. Touch up with that chain grinder thing. Never saw it before, but it looks useful.
The shop vac to clear dirt and sawdust away is a great idea!

I've never used a sawsall on trees (mine has a cord), much less a big ol' stump, but due to the cutting action, I'd still use a chainsaw on this... and an axe, wedges, and sledge.

What do you have Shaun? That angle-grinder circular saw might be fine for carving, but also looks dangerous as hell in situations like this... pass.

All the tree carvers I've seen use a small chainsaw too.... YMMV.

Big one
http://americaloveshorsepower.com/wp...like-beast.jpg

^^^^ Dayum :). Local Stihl dealer has a big a$$ beast on display... with a 5' bar. Said they sell a few each year.... not cheap either.

Outta my league :D

Put some more time into it today. This is going to be a long job. Got 2/3 through the trunk down low and it started to pour sap out. Pic is at the end of the draining. Went through a 4"+ root with the saw. Good news is the dirt is loose. Will need to get another sawzall, loaned mine out and it broke apparently. Ordered the cool chainsaw disc. That ought to be crazy fun. Need to get a new chain and have this one sharpened.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1601069483.jpg

Have you called a stump grinding service yet?

I'm inclined to tell you to hire the guys who did The Big Dig, 'cuz that's what this is.

I removed a stump last year by digging and then using a pressure washer to get as much of the dirt/grit as possible away from the roots. Then went after it with different sized chain saws and pry bars. It take a long time to dry out but works.

You need surgical, so I won't regale you with my success in using shovels and a fence puller on the frame of a Subaru to pull another stump a few years ago.

Indians used to burn out stumps, and make canoes from burned out logs too - but not in urban boston...

Be really careful with that chainsaw disc. Grinders kick back VERY easily. Still have scars from a flapper wheel while cleaning up rollcage welds, and can't imagine what that thing could do. I wouldn't go near it in a situation where it wasn't air on all sides.

And if it lets go, all bets are off. My son was almost blinded on the job by a cutoff wheel that fractured. Safety goggles saved his eyes, but he still went to the hospital for his cheek.