Get matched with top leaf removal pros in Ignacio, CO

If the roots are still alive, the dead tree will usually try to put out new shoots. That doesn’t mean the tree will survive or that the dead parts of a tree will come back to life. If parts of the tree have died and turned gray or rotten, nothing will bring them back to life and they need to be safely removed.

You can use a chainsaw, but it won’t remove the entire stump or root ball and is not a recommended method. It takes quite a bit of physical work to achieve and will likely dull or ruin your chainsaw. Instead, consider using salt, herbicide, light deprivation, boiling water, stump grinding, or burning to kill a tree stump. These methods allow you to kill a stump using minimal machinery and physical exertion.

We recommended removing the tree stump because it can create many of the same problems as a dead, decaying tree. Those stumps can rot over time, creating an attraction for bugs, fungi, and other unwelcome yard guests.

If your tree specialist says that a hardwood tree is in excellent condition, you may be able to use the stump as a decoration for years to come. However, it’s still important to keep an eye on it, and arrange to remove the stump if it starts to show significant signs of decay.

Using a drill to bore holes in the stump's center speeds up the process, whatever method you use. If you don’t have a drill, you can still chainsaw or chisel the stump to make it hollow; it will just take more elbow grease and time. Steer clear of burning the stump to hollow it if you can’t drill some holes in it first. Otherwise, getting it to light, stay lit, and burn right through will be a challenge.