There are a lot of reasons why you should get rid of a tree stump. It is an eyesore in your yard; it occupies useful space, can cause accidental tripping, and spread infections and disease.
But how do you effectively get rid of a tree stump? Different ways have been formulated to get rid of a tree stump. You can burn down the stump, pull it out or use chemicals, but will bleach kill a tree stump?
This article will explain all you need to know about killing a tree stump using bleach and just how effective this method is. We will also suggest other ways to kill a tree stump if the bleach method doesn’t work out.
Killing Tree Stumps with Bleach
Killing a tree stump using bleach may sound strange, but it is beneficial in many ways. The first benefit of using bleach is that it is affordable and can easily get from any local store near you.
It is also very easy to use. Getting rid of a tree stump using bleach is easier than the others, and it doesn’t take a lot of time. For some people, this method can be very effective.
How Long does bleach Stay in the Soil?
Bleach can stay up to 2 days in the soil. Bleach is acidic as it contains chlorine; when you apply bleach to the soil, chlorine breaks down into chlorine gas. With more exposure to moisture and air, chlorine gas will further be broken down, making it weaker.
Bleach works by lowering the pH of the soil, making it impossible for plants to grow where bleach is applied. This is why bleach is a good option for killing weed on your driveway or rocks; it should not be used to kill weeds in gardens.
Would Bleach Kill a Tree Stump?
While it had been proven that bleach could kill weeds, there is no solid evidence that bleach can kill a tree stump.
YouTube videos have demonstrated this process, but no results have been presented.
It is advised that you do not rely on bleach to kill your tree stump. But you can still try this method as some people have confirmed that bleach kills a tree stump.
How Long Does Bleach take to Kill a Tree Stump?
If you intend to use bleach as a way to kill a tree stump, then you will need to be patient. Killing a tree stump with bleach is a continuous process that will last for some days to be effective; this process can take 3 to 7 days.
Even after a week, this process may not be effective, but the steps were not followed carefully or because little bleach was used. If this step doesn’t make dork, consider trying again.
How to Kill a Tree Stump with Bleach
Using bleach, getting rid of a tree stump is an easy process and requires only a few household materials. For this process, you will need the following materials
- High-quality Bleach
- Safety gloves
- Safety clothes
- Safety glasses
- Drill
- Paintbrush
- Chainsaw and an ax
Step one
The first thing you have to do is expose the tree stump if it has been in place for a long time. But if you have a newly cut stump, there is no need for this step.
Step two
If branches are sticking out of the tree stump, use an ax to cut it off. Use a paintbrush to apply bleach to the branch cut while still fresh. This method works best if there is a fresh cut.
Step three
Drill holes on the surface of the tree stump and all around it. Fill these holes with bleach. Apply bleach carefully and thoroughly on every part of the tree stump.
Step four
If the top of your tree stump is not fresh, use a chainsaw it cut it off. Apply bleach on the freshly cut stump for effective results
Step five
Continue applying bleach on the tree stump and holes for 3 to 7 days. If you don’t see results after a week, you should increase the bleach you use.
Step six
After repeating this process, you should notice that the tee stump no longer grows branches; this indicates that the tree is dead and growth has been hindered.
Now all you have to do is pull out the tree stump. You can do this the easy but expensive way using a stump grinder, or you can do this the manual way using tools around you.
With these six steps, you should kill a tree stump using bleach. It is important that you wear safety clothes, shoes and gloves.
Bleach contains acidic chemicals that are harmful when in contact with the skin; you should also wear a face mask to avoid inhaling bleach.
Strong bleach may affect your lungs and your respiratory system when inhaled. Also, you need to be cautious when handling bleach.
What if bleach didn’t kill my stump?
Bleach may not be effective on your tree stump because it has a deep root system; this means that the bleach will not penetrate far enough to kill the root.
And DO NOT use a more concentrated bleach for this purpose because inhaling bleach is toxic for your lungs and is also harmful to the skin.
If bleach doesn’t kill a tree stump, there are other effective methods to use, and you can try them out. You can consider using herbicides, burning the tree stump, or pulling it out manually.
What will Kill a Tree Stump Fast?
Maybe you need to remove a tree stump and want it done quickly; the fastest way to get rid of a tree stump is by using a stump grinder.
Using a stump grinder may be the fastest and easiest way, but it is expensive and will need to be done by a professional.
If you choose to dig out your tree stump manually, this may take up to two days, and if you choose to burn the stump, this will take up to four days to complete. The method of using Epson salt may take 6 months to 1 year.
Killing Tree Roots with Bleach
Why do you need to kill the tree roots? Killing the tree roots is equally important to killing a tree stump. If you attempt to kill a tee stump using bleach without killing the root, the tree stump will recover and produce more shoot, and this is all thanks to the root.
Kill tree roots with bleach is as easy as the general process; all you have to do is follow these steps.
Step 1
Drill holes on every part of the roots; fill every hole with bleach after the drilling is done.
Step 2
The bleach will dry out the root tissues killing or in the process. You can also drill holes on other parts of the tree stump and apply bleach to help kill the whole tree.
Step 3
If this doesn’t work after the first trial, repeat this process every day and observe a change. If the tree stump has finally died, you can pull it out.
You can also use boiling water or destructive in place of bleach to kill a tree root; this is an option if bleach is unavailable.
What is the Best Way to Kill Tree Stumps and Roots?
The best way to kill a tree stump, including its root, is by using a stump grinder. This method is fast but dangerous to the operator and people standing nearby. When using a stump grinder, debris and rocks fly all over the place; this can lead to an accident if care is not taken.
Other effective ways to get rid of a tree stump include:
- Burning.
- The use of the destructive herbicide.
- Pulling out a tree stump manually.
- Using Epsom salt.
The only thing with these other methods is that they may take a lot of time to complete.
Conclusion: Killing Tree Stumps With Bleach
Getting rid of a tree stump in your yard can be tricky and frustrating. That is why you have to explore ways to get rid of a tree stump.
You can use bleach to kill a tree stump, but you need to follow the right procedures and use the right amount of bleach. It may not work if you don’t apply bleach to the roots.
There are other ways to kill a tree stump if bleach doesn’t work; these methods include grinding the stump, burning down the stump, and pulling it out.
You can also use destructive chemicals to kill the stump. It works better and faster than bleach. Do not forget to wear safety clothes and observe safety precautions during this process.
Helpful Links:
- Is Burning a Tree Stump Safe?
- Ways To Remove A Tree Stump By Hand
- How to Get Rid of a Tree Stump With Charcoal
- How Do You Rot a Tree Stump Naturally?
- How To Cut Grass Without a Lawnmower (6 Creative Ways)
We trust this article helped you know if killing tree stumps with bleach is possible. You may also want to check out How to Kill a Tree Without Cutting it Down.
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