To rot a stump fast, drill deep holes, fill them with potassium nitrate stump remover, soak with water and cover with a tarp. Keep it moist and the wood usually softens in 4 to 6 weeks, compared with 3 to 10 years for natural rotting.
If you are in a hurry, grinding is quicker. Check typical prices on the stump grinding costs homepage before you decide.
Step 1: Cut the stump low
Less wood means faster rotting. Cut as close to the soil as you safely can.
Step 2: Drill deep holes
Drill 1-inch holes 8 to 12 inches deep, 3 to 4 inches apart, plus angled holes into the sides.
Step 3: Add potassium nitrate
Fill the holes with stump remover granules. See potassium nitrate stump remover for how much to use.
Step 4: Soak with water
Fill each hole with water to dissolve the granules.
Step 5: Cover and keep moist
Cover with a tarp, add a nitrogen-rich mulch around the base and re-wet every week or two.
Step 6: Break it up
After 4 to 6 weeks, chop the soft wood out and fill the hole.
Best stump remover
Spectracide Stump Remover
- Potassium nitrate granules
- Softens stumps in about 4 to 6 weeks
Keep reading
- DIY Potassium Nitrate Stump Remover Guide How potassium nitrate stump remover works, how much to use, how long it takes and safety tips. Plus the best potassium nitrate products for tree stumps.
-
DIY Chemical Stump Removal: Step-by-Step How to remove a tree stump with chemicals: drilling, applying potassium nitrate, timing, safety and costs. Plus when grinding is a better choice. - 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.
Browse all stump guides or go back to the stump grinding costs homepage.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a tree stump rot faster?
Deep drilled holes, potassium nitrate, steady moisture, nitrogen and keeping the stump covered and warm all speed up decay.
How long does it take a stump to rot with stump remover?
About 4 to 6 weeks for the wood to soften, and longer for large hardwood stumps.
How long does a stump take to rot naturally?
Typically 3 to 10 years, depending on species, size and climate.
Does covering a stump with a tarp help it rot?
Yes. A tarp keeps moisture and warmth in, which helps fungi and bacteria break down the wood.
Does nitrogen fertilizer help a stump rot?
Yes. High-nitrogen fertilizer or compost feeds the microbes that decompose wood.
Does Epsom salt rot stumps?
It can dry out a stump over months, but potassium nitrate is faster and more reliable.
Can I speed up rotting with mushrooms?
Some people inoculate stumps with mushroom spawn plugs. It works slowly over a year or more.
What do I do once the stump is soft?
Break it apart with an axe or mattock, remove the pieces and fill the hole with topsoil.
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.