Dig out, cut the roots and lever out a small stump safely, checking for tree protection and nesting birds first.
ST-01Check protection rules and nests before you startAsk your council whether the tree is covered by a Tree Preservation Order or sits in a conservation area — if the stump is still alive and sprouting, it can still count as a protected tree, so check before you dig it out. See HomeGraft's "Can I cut down or prune a tree with a tree preservation order?" guide first. Look carefully at any regrowth or ivy around the stump for an active bird's nest — March to August is the main nesting season, and it's best to wait if you find one.
RULESKNOW THE RULES
Removing a protected tree, including one still growing from a stump, without council consent is a criminal offence. Damaging or destroying an active bird's nest is also an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 — check thoroughly before cutting.
ST-02Check the ground and size up the jobThink about what runs near the stump — a buried electricity supply cable, water or drainage pipe — especially if the stump is close to the house or a driveway. Dig carefully by hand near any suspected service runs rather than using power tools. If the trunk is thicker than about a forearm, the roots run under a path or wall, or the stump is near power lines, this job is better handed to a tree surgeon or stump-grinding contractor.
ST-03Clear and expose the rootsCut back any grass or weeds around the stump. Dig a trench roughly 300-400mm out from the stump and down to the main root ball, working all the way round so the thick roots are visible and free of soil.
ST-04Cut through the exposed rootsCut the roots with loppers or a hand pruning saw, working round the stump a side at a time. Never use a chainsaw for this job, and never cut while standing on a ladder — stay low and steady on the ground. If a root is too thick to cut comfortably by hand, or the stump won't start to move after cutting the roots you can reach, stop and call a tree surgeon.
ST-05Lever the stump freePush the digging bar under the stump and lever it side to side to loosen it further. As more roots come into reach, cut them with the loppers or saw, then lever again. Repeat until the stump rocks loose and lifts clear — it may take two people for the final lift.
ST-06Fill the hole and level the groundBackfill the hole with topsoil, firming it down in layers with your boot or the back of the spade so it doesn't sink later. Level it off with the surrounding lawn or border and rake over the top.
ST-07Dispose of the stump and tidy upCut the stump and roots into manageable pieces for your green waste bin or a log pile. Clean soil off your tools before putting them away so they don't rust. If you've taken branches from a tree that overhangs a neighbour's garden, offer the cuttings back to them rather than binning everything yourself.
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