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The fastest tree-stump killing method is stump grinding. Professional stump grinders can chip away at the stump and remove its roots within one session, potentially more for extra-large stumps. However, we recommend hiring a local stump grinding professional for this task because the machinery is dangerous to operate without prior experience, increasing the safety risk and likelihood of a more difficult removal.

Using Epsom salt to kill a tree stump will take between six and 12 months. While this method may seem extended, it significantly speeds up the natural stump decomposition process, which can take up to seven years. If you’d like to DIY remove a tree stump and it’s not causing any immediate harm or danger, using Epsom salt to kill it slowly is a viable removal option. 

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.

Trees growing within 10 to 15 feet of your house pose serious risks, so it’s worth considering removing them. First, branches that hang over and touch your roof can promote roof damage and moss accumulation, which can lead to leaking. Second, they drop debris into your gutters, leading to clogs and overflow that can promote foundation leaks. Finally, the root systems can grow into your home’s foundation, sometimes putting enough pressure on them that the concrete wall cracks, leaving you with structural damage. As such, it’s often a good idea to remove trees growing close to your home.