Just because you chop down a tree in your yard doesn’t necessarily mean that it will stop growing. Assuming there’s enough of the roots intact, it will continue to grow from the remaining stump.
Depending on the specific variety, it may take several years (or longer) to mature. When given enough time, though, a tree can regrow from nothing more than a stump.
So, how do you prevent a tree stump from regrowing?
Fill It With Salt
One way to prevent a tree stump from regrowing is to kill it with salt. This readily available culinary ingredient leaches moisture from the stump while disrupting its cellular health in the process.
To kill a stump with salt, you’ll first need to drill or bore a large hole in the center. Go down as deep as possible so that the salt will reach the entire stump. Next, fill the hole with salt and wait for it to work its magic.
You may need to reapply the salt for up to two months, but it will eventually destroy the stump.
Cover It
Another way to prevent a tree stump from regrowing is to cover it with a large plastic tarp. This doesn’t poison the stump. Rather, it prevents the stump from receiving sunlight.
All trees need sunlight and water to survive. By covering a problematic stump in your yard with a large tarp, you’ll restrict it of the latter, thereby slowly killing it.
Grow Other Trees Around It
This isn’t as effective as the other two methods previously mentioned, but it’s still worth trying if you’re having trouble keeping stumps from regrowing.
Basically, you want to grow other trees and plants around the stump so that it’s unable to reach moisture and nutrients.
As the other trees and plants thrive, their roots will dig deep into the soil where they leach moisture and nutrients. As a result, the stump will struggle to grow and eventually die.
Dig It Out of the Ground
Digging a stump out of the ground is always an option – just be prepared for some heavy physical labor.
The stump’s roots can easily grow several feet underground. Therefore, you’ll have to dig out the entire space surrounding the stump, going as deep as necessary.
Remove It
Of course, you can also remove a tree stump to prevent it from regrowing. There are professional tree and stump removal companies that will gladly take care of any problematic stumps in your landscape.
The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.
If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or
That’s good to know that there is an option to have a tree stump removed by a professional company. I would have no equipment or experience to remove it by my self. I have an old tree that might fall down soon, and I would want to have the stump removed quickly so that I don’t have to deal with it.
Interesting, I wasn’t aware that filling it with salt could be a viable option. I guess nowadays the most common way to remove a stump is to grind it away, well at least that’s what I’ve seen over here in my neck of the woods, but it’s always good to learn something new.
Hi Ken, what you have shared is truly a great piece of information and these tips will be of great help for me. Tree stumps are annoying, causing hindrance further leading to mishaps. I think the option of covering the tree stump with the large plastic tarp will be a great option and definitely implement the same. Thanks for sharing !!!
Hey Ken
Great insights into stopping a tree regrowing from its stump. Would you also add burning the stump as a possible speedier solution?
Regards
Jake