Used motor oil on a tree stump

[Jarpin]

I just had a tree removed from my front yard because it blocked the sun, blocked my view of the street for security, shed too much sap, etc...etc..

My neighbor said to drill multiple 1" holes in the stump and CAREFULLY pour dirty oil in them to kill the roots and destroy it. Truth or fiction?

Would diesel be even better?

Those powdered stump removal chemicals at the hardware store get mixed reviews so I'm looking for something I don't have to revisit.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

The EPA is all ears!

 

[wsar10]

Yeah that's not the best thing to put out there.... (on the ground or in public forum!)
Drill your holes but my Dad has always recommended salt... He uses Water softener salt or else rock salt.

 

[Propflux01]

Some folks burn their stumps over a series of times. Oil-soaked wood burns hotter than non-oil-soaked wood. Just pouring oil on pre-drilled holes in hopes that, in time, the stump will 'die' won't do much but contaminate the ground.

 

[Rmay635703]

Oil slows rot, unless you plan on burning the stump out waste of time

 

[FlyingTexan]

take copper nails and drive them in to kill it off. But you’ve already cut the tree down. Grind the stump and the roots will die all the same.

 

[Jarpin]

Yeah that's not the best thing to put out there.... (on the ground or in public forum!)
Drill your holes but my Dad has always recommended salt... He uses Water softener salt or else rock salt.

What about just spraying Roundup on the stump weekly?

 

[demarpaint]

The oil ends up in the ground water, not good. Have the stump ground out.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Grind it or set it on fire.

 

[billt460]

Some folks burn their stumps over a series of times. Oil-soaked wood burns hotter than non-oil-soaked wood. Just pouring oil on pre-drilled holes in hopes that, in time, the stump will 'die' won't do much but contaminate the ground.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Give it the oil treatment. (Nice big deep holes), filled with old oil. Then set that puppy on fire. Some kerosene or gas all over the outside will help get things going.

P.S. Use 0W-16. At least it will be good for something.

 

[nomas]

What about just spraying Roundup on the stump weekly?

Because that's not how Roundup works . It has to be absorbed by the foliage .

 

[53' Stude]

The oil ends up in the ground water, not good. Have the stump ground out.

Best idea

 

[nascarnation]

I did this exact procedure on a 12 inch dia stump about a decade ago and it's just now starting to rot to the degree where kicking it with a boot heel will knock it apart. Don't think the oil had any effect or maybe slowed the rot.

 

[JeffKeryk]

You can rent a stump grinder, but the rentals are generally small and will only go so deep. A commercial stump grinder will do an outstanding job, but make sure they chase the roots.

Get 'er done!

 

[Urshurak776]

A buddy of mine had like a 3-4 foot spade bit. We drilled into a stump in my backyard (a bunch of holes.) Filled with diesel fuel. Let it soak for a while. Lit it up and burned the stump down to ash. Once cool again, dug out as much as I could and filled with dirt. Worked great.

 

[CarbonToast]

How big is it?

 

[billt460]

This is a pretty unique way of stump removal. Especially if you're concerned about using anything that could cause ground contamination. A bit messy perhaps, but it sure beats the hell out of digging.

A bit like the old hydraulic mining operations they had back in the 1800's....... "Pale Rider" with Clint Eastwood comes to mind.

 

[doitmyself]

Because that's not how Roundup works . It has to be absorbed by the foliage .

Actually, glyphosate is labeled as a cut-stump treatment. Applied to a fresh cut stump, it is absorbed into the cambium layer and translocated to the roots. There are better products such as Garlon.

From the label:
Cut Stumps
TYPES OF APPLICATION: Treating cut stumps in any noncrop site listed on this label.
USE INSTRUCTIONS: This product will control regrowth of cut stumps and resprouts of many types of woody brush and tree
species, some of which are listed below. Apply this product using suitable equipment to ensure coverage of the entire cambium.
Cut trees or resprouts close to the soil surface. Apply a 50 to 100 percent solution of this product to the freshly cut surface im-
mediately after cutting. Delays in application may result in reduced performance. For best results, applications should be made
during periods of active growth and full leaf expansion.
Alder Oak Reed, giant Tan oak
Eucalyptus Pepper, Brazilian Saltcedar Willow
Madrone Pine, Austrian Sweetgum
PRECAUTIONS, RESTRICTIONS: Do not make cut stump applications when the roots of desirable woody brush or trees may be
grafted to the roots of the cut stump. Some sprouts, stems, or trees may share the same root system. Adjacent trees having a
similar age, height and spacing may signal shared roots. Whether grafted or shared, injury is likely to occur to nontreated stems/
trees when one or more trees sharing common roots are treated

https://www.aces.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ANR-1465_CutStumpHerbicideTreatments_083123L-G.pdf

 

[zzyzzx]

I just dig them out. Yes, it's a lot of work.
It helps if you have a chainsaw and a chain that you don't care about ruining.

 

[scoot]

I just had a tree removed from my front yard because it blocked the sun, blocked my view of the street for security, shed too much sap, etc...etc..

My neighbor said to drill multiple 1" holes in the stump and CAREFULLY pour dirty oil in them to kill the roots and destroy it. Truth or fiction?

Would diesel be even better?

Those powdered stump removal chemicals at the hardware store get mixed reviews so I'm looking for something I don't have to revisit.

I'm sure the tree company that cut your tree down knows of several stump grinders . Call them they'll come out and grind your stump away . Time you spent getting opinions you could have it done already .