Stumped by Tree Troubles? We're Here for You! - Get Your FREE Estimates!
Stumped by Tree Troubles? We're Here for You! - Get Your FREE Estimates!
By
Big Easy Tree Removal 
Feb 11, 2023 
0 Comments New Orleans homeowners can remove a tree stump without a grinder by using manual digging, chemical decomposition, or controlled burning. Manual removal with a shovel, mattock, and axe works best for small to mid-size stumps. Chemical methods using potassium nitrate or Epsom salt take several weeks to months but require less labor. For large live oak stumps or storm-damaged root systems common across Southeast Louisiana, calling a licensed tree service is often the safest and most efficient choice.
Table of Contents
If you have a leftover stump sitting in your New Orleans yard, you are not alone. Between hurricane season leaving behind damaged trees and the natural lifecycle of mature live oaks, bald cypresses, and magnolias, stumps are a familiar sight across neighborhoods from the Garden District to Gentilly. Removing that stump without renting a grinder is absolutely possible, and Big Easy Tree Removal has put together this step-by-step guide to help homeowners throughout Southeast Louisiana handle the job safely.
Whether you are dealing with a small crepe myrtle stump on a tight Uptown lot or the remnants of a water oak toppled during the last storm, the right approach depends on stump size, root spread, and how quickly you need the space cleared. Below you will find four proven methods, safety guidance tailored to Louisiana conditions, and advice on when a do-it-yourself approach makes sense versus when it is time to bring in a licensed service.
The combination of frequent tropical storms, an aging urban canopy dominated by large live oaks, and compact lots next to historic homes means New Orleans properties accumulate stumps faster than most cities. Louisiana’s high water table and clay-heavy soils also make root systems spread wide rather than deep, leaving behind sprawling stump bases after a tree comes down.
After hurricanes and severe thunderstorms, many homeowners have trees cut to the trunk for safety but leave the stump in place because grinding equipment is expensive to rent and difficult to maneuver through narrow side yards and driveways. Over time, these stumps attract termites and other wood-boring insects that can migrate toward your home’s foundation, a serious concern in a city already battling subterranean Formosan termite colonies.
Leftover stumps also create tripping hazards on properties where children play or guests walk. In neighborhoods with brick or flagstone walkways, expanding root systems beneath an old stump can lift pavers and crack foundations. Addressing the stump sooner rather than later protects both your landscape and your property value.
Manual removal works best for stumps under 12 inches in diameter with a relatively shallow root system, which is common among smaller ornamental trees, crepe myrtles, and young water oaks found on many New Orleans properties. You will need a shovel, mattock or pickaxe, bow saw, and an axe, along with four to twelve hours of physical labor.
Start by using your shovel to dig a trench around the full circumference of the stump, exposing the major lateral roots. In Southeast Louisiana, the high water table means you may hit saturated soil within 18 to 24 inches, which can actually work in your favor because wet soil releases roots more easily than compacted dry ground.
Once the roots are exposed, use the axe or bow saw to sever each one as close to the stump as possible. Work your way around the perimeter, cutting every root you can access. After all visible roots are severed, rock the stump back and forth to identify any remaining connections beneath it. Use the mattock to pry underneath and break those final attachments.
After severing the roots, use a pry bar or the flat end of a mattock to lever the stump out of the hole. For stumps that resist hand leverage, loop a heavy-duty tow strap around the base and use a vehicle to pull it free, keeping all bystanders well clear of the strap’s path.
Fill the resulting hole with a mixture of topsoil and compost. In the Greater New Orleans area, the high humidity and warm temperatures mean that bare soil will quickly become a breeding ground for weeds if left uncovered. Consider laying sod or planting ground cover within a few days of removal to stabilize the area.
If you plan to plant a new tree in the same spot, make sure to remove as much of the old root material as possible. Residual roots from species like live oaks can continue sending up shoots for months, competing with your new planting for nutrients and water.
The chemical approach involves drilling holes into the stump, filling them with a decomposition accelerant such as potassium nitrate or Epsom salt, and allowing the substance to break down the wood fibers over several weeks to months. This low-effort method suits homeowners who are not in a rush and prefer to avoid heavy physical labor.
Begin by drilling a series of holes across the top of the stump using a spade bit, roughly one inch in diameter and eight to twelve inches deep. Space the holes about three inches apart. Pour potassium nitrate granules or Epsom salt into each hole and add warm water to help the chemical absorb into the wood.
Cover the stump with a plastic tarp weighted down at the edges to retain moisture. In the warm, humid climate of New Orleans, decomposition tends to progress faster than in drier regions. Check the stump every two to three weeks and reapply the chemical as needed. Once the wood becomes spongy and soft, you can break it apart with an axe and remove the pieces by hand.
Potassium nitrate and Epsom salt are generally safe for residential use when applied correctly, but homeowners should avoid using them near vegetable gardens, storm drains, or bodies of water, which is especially important in a low-lying city like New Orleans where runoff reaches waterways quickly.
Always wear gloves when handling chemical stump removers and store unused product away from children and pets. If your property borders a drainage canal or sits in a flood-prone area, consider using Epsom salt over potassium nitrate, as it poses less risk to aquatic ecosystems. Check with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality if you have questions about chemical use near protected waterways.
Burning is an effective way to eliminate a stump, but New Orleans and Jefferson Parish have open burning ordinances that restrict when and where you can light a fire on residential property. Before attempting this method, contact your local fire department or check the City of New Orleans fire code for current restrictions in your neighborhood.
If burning is permitted on your property, start by clearing all leaves, mulch, and debris in a ten-foot radius around the stump. Drill multiple holes into the top and sides of the stump, each about eight to twelve inches deep. Pour kerosene into the holes and allow the stump to absorb the fuel for at least 24 hours. Do not use gasoline, which ignites too rapidly and creates an uncontrollable fire.
Light the stump from the top and monitor the burn continuously. Keep a garden hose and a fire extinguisher nearby at all times. The burn can take several hours depending on the stump’s size and moisture content. Louisiana’s humid conditions may require additional kerosene applications to keep the fire going. Once the stump has burned down to ash and embers, douse everything thoroughly, allow it to cool overnight, and then shovel out the remaining debris and fill the hole with topsoil.
While New Orleans humidity reduces the risk of fire spreading to dry grass, the real dangers include underground root fires that smolder undetected, smoke complaints from neighbors on compact city lots, and potential damage to nearby structures, fences, or utility lines that sit close to property boundaries.
Root fires can travel along the root channels beneath the soil surface and emerge feet away from the original stump. This is a particular concern in older neighborhoods where root systems have grown beneath sidewalks, driveways, and even building foundations. If you notice smoke rising from the ground after the visible fire has died down, soak the entire area with water and call your fire department.
In Southeast Louisiana’s warm, humid environment, a softwood stump from a pine or cedar can decompose in two to five years without any intervention. Hardwood stumps from live oaks, bald cypresses, or pecan trees take significantly longer, often seven to ten years or more, because their dense wood resists fungal breakdown.
To speed up natural decomposition, cut the stump as close to ground level as possible and cover it with a thick layer of nitrogen-rich compost or aged manure. Keep the area moist and add fresh organic material every few months. Some homeowners drill holes into the stump and pack them with soil and compost to introduce beneficial fungi and bacteria directly into the wood.
While this method requires the most patience, it is the least disruptive to your landscape. The decomposing stump gradually returns nutrients to the surrounding soil, which can benefit nearby plantings. If you find the stump unsightly during the waiting period, consider surrounding it with a raised bed or container garden to keep your yard looking maintained.
Regardless of which method you choose, wear steel-toed boots, heavy work gloves, and ANSI-rated safety glasses at a minimum. When using a chainsaw or axe, add hearing protection and cut-resistant leg chaps. Chemical applications call for nitrile gloves and a dust mask to prevent skin contact and inhalation of granular products.
Before you begin any digging, call Louisiana 811 (dial 811 or visit laonecall.com) to have underground utilities marked on your property. This free service is required by Louisiana law before excavation and protects you from accidentally striking gas, electric, water, or fiber optic lines buried beneath your yard.
If the stump you are removing was part of a tree that fell during a hurricane or storm, inspect the area for downed power lines, hanging branches, or structural damage to nearby buildings before starting work. Trees that have been partially uprooted can shift unexpectedly, creating a crushing hazard. When in doubt about the stability of the area, step back and call a licensed service for an assessment.
If the stump measures more than 16 inches in diameter, has roots running under a sidewalk, driveway, or foundation, or came from a protected live oak that may require a City of New Orleans permit for any remaining root work, hiring a licensed tree service is the safer and more practical choice.
New Orleans requires a tree work permit through the Department of Parks and Parkways for removing any tree with a trunk diameter of six inches or greater measured at 4.5 feet above ground level. While stump removal after a tree has already been cut typically does not trigger a new permit, situations involving protected trees or heritage oaks may carry additional requirements. Violating the ordinance can result in fines ranging from $100 to $500 per violation, plus mandatory tree replacement.
Large stumps also demand equipment that most homeowners do not own, including stump grinders rated for hardwood, compact track loaders for tight lots, and commercial-grade root saws. A licensed service carries insurance that protects your property against accidental damage during the job, something no amount of DIY preparation can replicate.
If your stump shows signs of active termite activity, addressing the infestation alongside the removal is critical. Disturbing a termite-colonized stump without proper treatment can scatter the colony across your yard and toward your home.
Some stumps are straightforward enough for a weekend project, but many of the stumps left behind across Greater New Orleans, particularly from mature live oaks and storm-damaged hardwoods, require the right equipment and experience to remove safely. Big Easy Tree Removal offers full stump removal services for residential and commercial properties, and every job includes a free on-site estimate.
Whether you need a single stump pulled from a backyard in Lakeview or an entire lot cleared after storm damage in the Ninth Ward, we handle the digging, hauling, and site restoration so you do not have to. For stumps that sit below grade, our stump grinding service can take the wood down to 12 inches below the soil surface, leaving a clean slate for new landscaping or tree planting.
We serve New Orleans, Gretna, Slidell, Metairie, Kenner, Covington, Mandeville, Hammond, River Ridge, and throughout Louisiana.
Call 504-732-1166 or request your free estimate online to get started.
In most cases, removing a stump from a tree that has already been cut does not require a separate permit from the City of New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways. However, if the stump belongs to a protected live oak or heritage tree, additional regulations may apply. Contact Parks and Parkways at 504-658-3200 before starting work on any protected species.
The most affordable option is the Epsom salt or potassium nitrate chemical method, which costs under $30 in materials. You drill holes into the stump, fill them with the chemical, and wait several weeks for the wood to soften enough to break apart by hand. The tradeoff is time, as this method can take two to three months in Louisiana’s warm climate.
Yes. Decaying wood is a primary food source for Formosan subterranean termites, which are widespread across the Greater New Orleans area. A stump left in the ground provides a bridge for colonies to establish themselves close to your home. Removing stumps promptly or treating them with a borate-based product reduces termite risk significantly.
For a stump under 12 inches in diameter, expect four to eight hours of work with basic hand tools. Louisiana’s soft, moist soils make digging easier than in drier climates, but widespread lateral root systems in species like live oaks and water oaks can extend the timeline. Stumps over 16 inches in diameter generally require mechanical assistance.
Open burning regulations vary by parish and neighborhood. Orleans Parish restricts open burning on residential lots, and violations can result in fines from the New Orleans Fire Department. If you live in Jefferson Parish or St. Tammany Parish, check with your local fire marshal for current rules before lighting any outdoor fire.
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