How to Burn Out a Tree Stump

leon01

Wed, October 1, 2025 at 10:14 PM UTC

With pine needles filling the swimming pool for several weeks of the year and most of the garden in shade, our large 30-meter-tall pine tree had to go. I removed all the lower branches myself, using a 10-meter ladder and rope to venture up as high as I dared. Then, it was a professional's turn to go up higher to remove the remaining branches before the whole tree finally came tumbling down in the autumn.

Our Stump Problem

We were left with a tree stump some 40 centimeters high and over a meter in diameter. First, we decided to put a large plant pot on top to make it a decorative feature, but over time, it became more of a hindrance to cutting the lawn or playing in the garden.

So, I opted to burn the stump away. I had removed two smaller tree stumps (around 30 cm in diameter) using the burn method, so I was confident this method was going to be my best option.

Before You Burn

Check with your local fire department to learn more about the specific regulations and guidelines for controlled burns in your area, and let your neighbors know your plan before you light the fire.

Overall, removing the stump was a very easy job. The charcoal and lighter fluid cost me around £50 in total. Here are the steps we took to burn our stump.

1. Dig Down Around the Stump

Use a shovel to expose as much of the stump as possible. On one side, I actually managed to dig under the stump and exposed three very large roots holding the stump in place.

2. Drill Some Holes

I drilled 12 mm holes all over the top of the stump, around the base, and into the roots, pushing the drill bit as deep as it would go (around 20 cm).

3. Check the Weather Forecast and the Calendar

Make sure it's okay to set fires at this time and that you'll have good weather. Here, we are only allowed to build fires outside of the summer season and after 6 p.m., so I burned my stump in late October. The weather forecast predicted four dry days followed by a lot of rain. This was perfect as the fire would not be dampened while it did its work. In the end, the rain would douse any underground smoldering of root systems.

4. Soak with Kerosene

For two days, I poured kerosene into the holes and kept topping them up over that time to make sure the fuel penetrated as deeply as possible.

5. Burn It

On day three, it was time to burn that stump out. I surrounded the stump with thirty kilos of charcoal , put firewood on top of that, and set it all on fire. I prefer to use charcoal, as the smaller particles can fit under the stump to help the fire reach down below it.

Charcoal is a great source of fuel. It produces twice the amount of heat than wood thanks to its higher caloric value. It also produces less smoke, which will make your burning project more tolerable.

However, I always like to "kill two birds with one stone," so I took the opportunity to dismantle a very dilapidated wooden terrace to provide more fuel for the fire as the days passed.

6. Control the Fire

While the fire was burning, I continually checked it and dampened the surrounding soil with a hose to avoid an underground fire.

7. Give it Time

By the end of the first day, the stump had been reduced by 30%, and by the end of the second day, 70% of the stump had been eaten away by the fire. I let it burn for four days in total.

8. Add More Fuel

I was able to fit my metal incinerator over the stump and re-drill holes over the remaining stump before filling the incinerator with an additional thirty kilos of charcoal, relighting the fuel again, and closing the incinerator.

Stumps are fairly damp and can be full of moisture. You have to remember that the outer edges will be closer to soil and moisture. This will make it difficult for a fire to burn through since it will lose heat. This is why you will need to add fuel over time.

9. When the Stump Is Gone, Let the Fire Burn Out

For the next two days, the charcoal burnt away slowly. Once the charcoal was gone, I was left with just a large crater—the entire stump and three main roots had all gone.

The garden looks so much bigger now that the stump has gone, and we are looking forward to seeing the daffodils that we planted come up this spring.

The tree stump has been burned entirely away.

Safety Tips for Stump Burning

While this is a great method for stump removal, some things need to be considered before starting your fire.

Think about wildfires: If you live in a dry area that is prone to wildfires, you may want to avoid burning your stump. It would be very easy for a fire to become out of control.
Avoid windy days: You do not want to start a fire when the wind is strong. Winds can carry embers to dry brush and start another fire.
Always watch your fire: Under no circumstance should you ever leave your fire unattended. Only start a stump fire if you are completely available and can give the fire your full attention.
Make sure no flammable material is nearby: Do not start a fire if your stump is in a location that is not clear. There shouldn't be any leaves, branches, or other debris near the fire.
Have water nearby: You should have a source of water by your fire in case anything goes wrong.
Be wary of size: A stump with a large diameter will require a larger fire. Burning may not be the best method if you need to make a large fire, which may be difficult to manage.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a tree stump?

While burning is effective, it can take a few days. If you are pressed for time, you can utilize a stump grinder. This tool can destroy a stump and its roots in a matter of hours. It will require some work as you will first have to trim most of the stump with a chainsaw and dig out the roots. However, a grinder can reduce a stump to chips.

This story was originally reported by Dengarden on Oct 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the Miscellaneous section. Add Dengarden as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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