What is the best way to remove a tree stump?
Grinding is the quickest, easiest and safest way, according to Iowa State University Extension, and hiring a pro to grind averages $272 per stump nationally (LawnStarter). The other ways trade money for time or effort: digging is cheap but hard, and fertilizer or a stump killer is cheap but can take years.
| Method | Typical cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hire a pro to grind | $131 to $438 per stump (LawnStarter) | Fastest; no standard time published | Any size, no effort |
| Rent a grinder | $178 to $364 per day (LawnStarter) | 1 to 3 days | Several stumps, comfortable with machines |
| Dig it out by hand | Tools about $10 to $50 each (LawnStarter) | Several hours | Stumps under about 12 inches (Iowa State) |
| Fertilizer or stump remover | Under $20 in materials (LawnStarter) | 1 to 3 years (Iowa State) | Patient owners, no rush |
| Burning | Not recommended | Can burn for days | Check local rules first (Iowa State) |
The LawnStarter how-to page is dated December 13, 2024; the grinder rental and pro prices come from its stump grinding cost page, updated October 5, 2026.
How do you remove a tree stump by hand?
Hand removal works only on small stumps: Iowa State says digging suits stumps under about 12 inches across, and calls it very labor-intensive but quick (source). You dig a trench one to two feet deep, saw through the side roots, then pry the stump over with a long, sturdy pry bar.
- Leverage. Iowa State says to leave four to six feet of stump to give you leverage.
- Chains and ropes. They can slip or break, which Iowa State says can cause great harm to people and property.
- Tools. LawnStarter lists a bow saw at $10 to $30, an ax at $30 to $40, a mattock at $15 to $50 and a digging bar at $30 to $50.
Call 811 first. South Carolina requires a locate request before digging, and our permit guide explains the rule.
Should you rent a stump grinder?
Usually not: LawnStarter lists grinder rentals at $178 to $364 per day, about $260 on average, and says a DIY job can take one to three days (source). That is close to the $223 to $285 Charleston-area average for hiring a pro, before you count transport.
LawnStarter says grinders weigh around 1,000 pounds, so you also need a vehicle or a delivery service (source). Call 811 before you grind, because Iowa State says a grinder typically cuts 8 to 12 inches down. See the 811 rule in our permit guide.
Do stump killers and potassium nitrate work?
They work slowly: Iowa State says a stump treated with nitrate fertilizer can usually be removed after one to three years, against 10 or more years for natural decay (source). A stump killer will not make a stump disappear in days.
- How it is done. Drill 1-inch holes at least 10 inches deep and no more than 12 inches apart, fill each with about 4 ounces of slow-release fertilizer, then cover the stump with soil or sod. A formulation high in nitrates promotes the quickest decay.
- Potassium nitrate. The University of Illinois Extension says it dries the wood so it can be burned, harms the organisms that break stumps down, and speeds decay by about 25% (source). Commercial products should be used as directed on the label.
- Herbicide is different. Glyphosate, triclopyr or imazapyr on the living cambium ring, right after cutting, limits resprouting. Iowa State says herbicide poured into holes or over an old stump does not promote decay and can harm nearby plants.
- Epsom salt. LawnStarter lists it as an alternative; the two extension articles we read recommend nitrate fertilizer instead.
Is it safe to burn a tree stump?
Iowa State advises against it: stump fires can burn for days and are difficult to control, and many cities and counties do not allow burning (source). We did not find a Charleston-area burn rule, so ask your town or fire department before lighting anything.
Never use diesel or other accelerants: Iowa State says they can leach into the soil and are highly flammable and dangerous.
How long does it take to get rid of a tree stump?
A stump can be gone in an afternoon or take years, depending on the method. Digging takes several hours, a rented grinder one to three days, fertilizer one to three years and natural rot 10 or more years.
The time for a pro grinding job is not published in the sources we read, so ask the crew for an estimate when they measure the stump. The figures above come from LawnStarter, LawnStarter and Iowa State.
What do you do with the hole and wood chips after grinding?
A grinder leaves a large pile of wood shavings in the hole. Iowa State says arborists usually do not haul them away or fill the hole unless asked, and both cost extra (source).
Remove the shavings before adding topsoil, because ground wood mixed into the soil can tie up nitrogen and make it hard to grow lawn there at first (University of Illinois Extension). More on depth and what to plant is on our stump grinding page.
How much does it cost to have a pro remove a stump in Charleston?
LawnStarter lists average stump grinding prices of $223 in Charleston, $250 in Mount Pleasant, $268 in Summerville and $285 in North Charleston. A written quote after a crew sees the stump is the reliable number.
Prices by town and stump size, and how crews charge by the inch, are in our stump grinding cost guide.
When is it worth hiring a pro instead?
Hire a pro when the stump is wider than about 12 inches, when you want it gone in a day, or when you would rather not handle a grinder that weighs about 1,000 pounds. Hand removal and fertilizer suit small stumps and patient owners.
We connect you with independent, insured local pros (how it works); the quote is free and there is no obligation. Ask for a stump grinding quote.
Where do these tree stump removal facts come from?
Methods, depth, chemicals, herbicides and burning come from Iowa State University Extension (last reviewed April 2025) and the University of Illinois Extension. Costs come from LawnStarter’s how-to page (December 13, 2024), its stump grinding cost page (October 5, 2026) and its Charleston-area town pages.
We do not add our own estimates. Prices change, so check the date next to each figure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to remove a tree stump?
Grinding. Iowa State University Extension calls it the quickest, easiest and safest way, and LawnStarter describes hiring a pro as the fastest option.
Can I remove a tree stump myself?
Yes, if it is small. Iowa State says hand digging suits stumps under about 12 inches across; for larger ones you can rent a grinder (about $260 a day on average) or hire a pro.
How much does it cost to rent a stump grinder?
LawnStarter lists rentals at $178 to $364 per day, about $260 on average, and says a DIY job can take one to three days.
Does potassium nitrate remove a tree stump?
Slowly. The University of Illinois Extension says it will not liquefy a stump overnight; it dries the wood so it can be burned and speeds decay by about 25%. Iowa State says nitrate fertilizer can leave the stump ready to remove in one to three years.
Is a tree stump killer the same as a stump remover?
No. Iowa State says herbicides such as glyphosate, triclopyr or imazapyr limit resprouting when applied to the living cambium right after cutting, but they do not promote decay. Nitrate fertilizer is what speeds decay.
Can I burn a tree stump in Charleston?
We found no Charleston-area burn rule. Iowa State advises against burning stumps and says many cities and counties do not allow it, so ask your town or fire department first.