To remove a stump with chemicals, drill 1-inch holes 8 to 12 inches deep, fill them with potassium nitrate stump remover, add water and cover the stump. After 4 to 6 weeks the wood softens enough to break apart with an axe or mattock.
Before you start, compare this slow method with what stump grinding costs in your state.
Step 1: Cut the stump low
Cut the stump as close to the ground as possible to reduce the amount of wood to rot.
Step 2: Drill holes
Drill 1-inch holes 8 to 12 inches deep across the top, about 3 to 4 inches apart. Drill angled holes into the sides to meet them.
Step 3: Add stump remover and water
Fill each hole with potassium nitrate granules and soak with water. See our best stump removers.
Step 4: Wait and keep it moist
Cover the stump with a tarp and wait 4 to 6 weeks. Re-wet if it dries out.
Step 5: Break it up and fill the hole
Chop out the softened wood, then fill and level the hole as described in how to fill a stump hole.
Keep reading
- DIY Best Stump Removers The best stump removers for softening and rotting tree stumps in 2026: potassium nitrate granules, stump killers for regrowth and the tools to apply them.
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DIY How to Remove a Tree Stump by Hand How to dig out a tree stump by hand with a mattock, shovel and root saw. Step-by-step method, tools, time needed and which stumps are small enough to try. -
Cost guide Stump Grinding vs. Stump Removal Stump grinding costs about $210 per stump; full removal costs about $380. Compare cost, time, results and when each option makes sense for your yard.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does chemical stump removal take?
Usually 4 to 6 weeks before the stump is soft enough to break up, and longer for large hardwood stumps.
How much does chemical stump removal cost?
About $10 to $30 in products, plus a drill bit if you need one. A pro may charge $60 to $200.
How deep should I drill holes for stump remover?
Drill 8 to 12 inches deep, about 3 to 4 inches apart, and angle holes into the sides of the stump as well.
Can I speed up stump decay?
Keep the stump moist and covered with a tarp. Adding nitrogen-rich material can help microbes break down the wood.
Does chemical stump removal kill the roots?
It speeds decay of the stump. To stop live roots from sprouting, use a stump killer on a fresh cut.
Is chemical stump removal safe?
Follow the label, wear gloves and eye protection, and keep children and pets away.
What do I do after the stump softens?
Break it apart with an axe, mattock or digging bar, then fill the hole with topsoil.
Is it better to grind or use chemicals?
Grinding is faster. Chemicals are cheaper but slow, so they suit homeowners who are not in a hurry.
Sources and methodology
Last updated . Prices are estimates built from published contractor rates, national cost guides and federal labor data. Read how we calculate prices.