This unique method of tree stump removal comes from “The New England Farmer; A Monthly Journal Devoted to Agriculture, Horticulture and their Kindred Arts and Sciences,” 1855. The funny thing is, I thought about doing this once but figured if it was this easy, no one would pay a tree service to come out and remove their tree stumps this way. Now I wish I had at least tried.

For the New England Farmer.

tree stump removal

MR. EDITOR:—In a recent number of your journal appeared an article approving the use of the stump machine. We have adopted a method in this vicinity for the removal of stumps which I find efficient and profitable. Dig about the stumps to expose the main body, then fill in with dead brush or other dry stuff, and pile fuel about the stump somewhat after the manner of preparing a coal kiln; cover with sods closely and compactly, open a small place and set the wood on fire, and close all up. If properly tended for a few hours, to renew sods and keep the covering close, the stump will be reduced to ashes fit for fertilizing purposes. Every large pine stump which I can treat in this manner I regard worth about a dollar.

Bangor, Me. MICHAEL.