Tree stump removal instructions that produce a very difficult, or even an impossible job, manageable.
I spent about 20 years re-landscaping homes. We used to re-landscape three homes a week, and we did all this work on evenings and Saturdays because I worked a complete time job. I've no idea just how many homes I re-landscaped over time, however the number is more than 500. All of those re-landscaping jobs had overgrown landscaping that needed to be removed before we could even start the actual landscaping job.
That meant that tons of tree stumps and large stumps from overgrown shrubbery had to be removed.
Needless to say county wisdom says that you just back up Bubba's pickup, wrap a chain around the stump and drive away as fast as you can. I'll admit, I've done that. Does it work? Type of. But it's also a terrific way to really tear up a pick up truck, completely destroy the lawn, and possibly damage the house.
Therefore it's not this type of good idea. Particularly when you are doing work on someone's house like I was doing.
So over the years we refined a method for actually removing these stumps yourself. Tree stump removal by hand with the incorrect tools can be an impossible task. Tree stump removal with the right tools is doable. I will not say it's easy work because it's not. But if you are using the right tools and the right techniques you don't need to strain your back and ruin your tools. It's more of a methodical process of digging around the tree stump with a good nursery digging spade, and utilizing a landscape bar, generally known as a spud bar to slice the roots as you encounter them while digging.
The secret is to start out away from the stump. If Tree trimming begin working too closely to the stump you will come across large heavy roots which will be too difficult to cope with. So if you begin just a little farther and just start digging a small trench around the stump with the spade, then on offer in the trench you just dug with the spud bar to cut the roots that the spade won't cut, then more spade work, then more landscape bar work, that tree stump will come from the ground. Don't pry and bend up your tools. Use the tools to cut the roots. Prying won't allow you to get anywhere as well as your tools will undoubtedly be ruined.
I've been teaching this technique on the Internet for several years now and folks write to me all the time and tell me how well it worked for them.