Non-recursive program to delete an entire binary tree

Old tree roots, out-of-control roots of a living tree, and old tree stumps all bring issues that a professional tree removal service can resolve. Roots that grow under the foundation or driveway can cause expensive damage. Dead tree roots take up space and host pests and diseases. An old stump in the yard is just ugly. Many people want to trim back live tree roots without killing one of their trees. All of those issues, or almost all, can be handled without hiring a tree service.

You thought you were done with that tree when the chainsaw fell silent. Not so fast. You still have to deal with tree roots. Tree roots are an entirely different beast. Depending on the size of the tree or the reason for the removal, you may even need to call in professional help to remove the tree roots in your yard.

In this how-to guide, we’ll cover the things you need to know about removing tree roots, the conditions you might face, tools you can use, and even when you might need to throw in the trowel and call for expert help.

There are two conditions in which the tree roots need to be removed from the ground. Sometimes, the old trees spread their roots over a long period of time. They can cause problem to other plants as well as disturb the proper gardening. The other condition is when the tree falls off the ground or it is cut down due to some reason or the other. In such a case, the remaining of the roots need to be removed, or else they spoil the beauty of the landscaping. The tree roots or the tree stumps are the most unwanted part of the fallen trees. In this article, you will learn how to remove tree roots.

Basics

There are several effects of the roots on the soil as well. All in all, they need to be removed from time to time. This needs to be planned beforehand. There are several services that can help you with the task, but it is always better to get to know the manual technique of removing the roots. There is an equipment called stumping grinder. However, there is one problem with these instruments, they are pretty expensive.

Hence, a person cannot always rely on them. The DIY removal technique takes manpower and patience. There are several other tree removal techniques that can be implemented on the tree roots that remain on the garden ground after the tree has been uprooted. These remnants of the trees actually cause trouble for many reasons. Here are a few techniques that can be used.

Hand Digging

Hand digging is the best technique when it comes to removing tree roots of shrubs, bushes, and other small plants. All that a person needs is a shovel, root saw, grub hoe, and a lopper. You need to pull the roots off the ground by using the grub hoe with the ax head.

Stump Grinder

A stump grinder is very effective for removing stumps that are sized from 6″ to 12″. They are heavy duty materials that perform this task in absolutely no time. But, hiring stump grinders is an expensive thing. You can buy one of your own, and then enjoy the machine with a little bit of maintenance task.

Backhoe

It is a tough task to remove roots that are deep in the soil, as there is always a risk factor involved of harming other plants. A backhoe can be very useful at this time. Tree roots are removed off the ground by pulling them with the backhoe. Backhoes are a bit messy, they create a lot of unwanted wad of wood that needs to get cleaned up as soon as possible.

Fire

Though not a safe option, but many people use fire to remove the roots. They simply build a fire on top of the tree root and let it burn until the root is totally gone. This method is actually beneficial if there are only a few roots that need to get removed. But, there is always a possibility of creating pollution with this method.

Chemicals

Many chemical solutions are available in home improvement stores as well as in the garden centers. These chemicals, when sprinkled on the roots, make them rot quicker than their usual speed of rotting. This is a method of decomposing by using chemicals. This process is not too fast of course, as they just hasten up the process of rotting.

Tree Root Removal Instructions

Wasn’t that easy! I think the manual way is the best and inexpensive method. All that it takes is a little bit of patience, that we have in plenty while gardening! What say!

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Declare a destructor function in the ‘BinaryTreeNode’ class which has been defined to create a tree node. Using ‘delete’ keyword on an object of a class deletes the entire binary tree., it’s destructor is called within the destructor.

Please try your approach on {IDE} first, before moving on to the solution.

Below is the C++ implementation of the above approach:

C++

using namespace std;

BinaryTreeNode* root = new BinaryTreeNode(1);

BinaryTreeNode* node1 = new BinaryTreeNode(2);

BinaryTreeNode* node2 = new BinaryTreeNode(3);

BinaryTreeNode* node3 = new BinaryTreeNode(4);

BinaryTreeNode* node4 = new BinaryTreeNode(5);

Python3

def __init__(self, data):

self.data = data

self.left = None

self.right = None

root = BinaryTreeNode(1)

root.left = BinaryTreeNode(2)

root.right = BinaryTreeNode(3)

root.left.left = BinaryTreeNode(4)

root.left.right = BinaryTreeNode(5)

public class BinaryTreeNode

public int data;

public BinaryTreeNode left;

public BinaryTreeNode right;

public BinaryTreeNode(int data)

this.data = data;

this.left = null;

this.right = null;

if (left != null)

if (right != null)

Console.WriteLine(«Deleting » + this.data);

public class Program

BinaryTreeNode root = new BinaryTreeNode(1);

BinaryTreeNode node1 = new BinaryTreeNode(2);

BinaryTreeNode node2 = new BinaryTreeNode(3);

BinaryTreeNode node3 = new BinaryTreeNode(4);

BinaryTreeNode node4 = new BinaryTreeNode(5);

root.left = node1;

root.right = node2;

node1.left = node3;

node1.right = node4;

root = null;

Javascript

console.log(«Deleting » + this.data);

let root = new BinaryTreeNode(1);

let node1 = new BinaryTreeNode(2);

let node2 = new BinaryTreeNode(3);

let node3 = new BinaryTreeNode(4);

let node4 = new BinaryTreeNode(5);

System.out.println(«Deleting » + data);

Deleting 4
Deleting 5
Deleting 2
Deleting 3
Deleting 1

We have discussed recursive implementation to delete an entire binary tree here.We strongly recommend you to minimize your browser and try this yourself first.Now how to delete an entire tree without using recursion. This could easily be done with the help of Level Order Tree Traversal. The idea is for each dequeued node from the queue, delete it after queuing its left and right nodes (if any). The solution will work as we are traverse all the nodes of the tree level by level from top to bottom, and before deleting the parent node, we are storing its children into queue that will be deleted later.

struct Node *left, *right;

void _deleteTree(Node *root)

if (root == NULL)

Node *node = q.front();

void deleteTree(Node** node_ref)

*node_ref = NULL;

Node* newNode(int data)

Node *temp = new Node;

Node *root =  newNode(15);

Node left, right;

public Node(int data)

left = right = null;

Node node = q.peek();

if (node.left != null)

if (node.right != null)

BinaryTree tree = new BinaryTree();

tree.root = new Node(15);

tree.root.left = new Node(10);

tree.root.right = new Node(20);

tree.root.left.left = new Node(8);

tree.root.left.right = new Node(12);

tree.root.right.left = new Node(16);

tree.root.right.right = new Node(25);

if root is None:

node = q.pop(0)

if node.left is not None:

if node.right is not None:

node = None

node_ref = _deleteTree(node_ref)

root = Node(15)

root.left = Node(10)

root.right = Node(20)

root.left.left = Node(8)

root.left.right = Node(12)

root.right.left = Node(16)

root.right.right = Node(25)

root = deleteTree(root)

public class Node

public Node left, right;

while (q.Count != 0)

this.left = this.right = null;

while (q.length != 0)

let node = q.shift();

Time Complexity: O(n)

As it is a normal level order traversal and we are visiting every node just once.

Auxiliary Space: O(b)

Here b is the breadth of the tree or the maximum number of elements at any level. The extra space is required to store the elements of a level in the queue.

Note : In Java automatic garbage collection happens, so we can simply make root null to delete the tree “root = null”;

void deleteTree(node* node)

if (node == NULL) return;

node *root = new node(1);

cout << »
Tree deleted «;

struct node* left;

struct node* right;

struct node* newNode(int data)

struct node* node = (struct node*)

void deleteTree(struct node* node)

struct node *root = newNode(1);

printf(»
Tree deleted «);

data = item;

void deleteTree(Node node)

tree.root = new Node(1);

tree.root.left = new Node(2);

tree.root.right = new Node(3);

tree.root.left.left = new Node(4);

tree.root.left.right = new Node(5);

tree.root = null;

def __init__(self, key):

self.data = key

def deleteTree( node) :

if node != None:

if __name__ == ‘__main__’:

root.left = newNode(2)

root.right = newNode(3)

root.left.left = newNode(4)

root.left.right = newNode(5)

root = None

print(«Tree deleted «)

public Node(int item)

public Node root;

public virtual void deleteTree(Node node)

this.data = item;

Time Complexity: O(n) Space Complexity: If we don’t consider size of stack for function calls then O(1) otherwise O(h)

node* Node = new node();

void _deleteTree(node* node)

cout << «Tree deleted «;

void _deleteTree(struct node* node)

void deleteTree(struct node** node_ref)

data = d;

static Node root;

void deleteTreeRef(Node nodeRef)

if (node == None):

print(«Deleting node: «,

public Node(int d)

public static Node root;

public virtual void deleteTreeRef(Node nodeRef)

nodeRef = null;

BinaryTree.root = new Node(1);

BinaryTree.root.left = new Node(2);

BinaryTree.root.right = new Node(3);

BinaryTree.root.left.left = new Node(4);

BinaryTree.root.left.right = new Node(5);

Deleting node: 4
Deleting node: 5
Deleting node: 2
Deleting node: 3
Deleting node: 1
Tree deleted

Time Complexity: O(n) Space Complexity: If we don’t consider size of stack for function calls then O(1) otherwise O(n)

It’s good to get rid of tree roots without harming the tree when they grow up out of your grass, clog your pipes, or push through your pathway.

Taking a quick look, the simplest way to kill and remove a tree root without destroying the tree, dig around the root using a shovel or pick and remove the tree’s root.

However, most tree roots die when cut, and besides, certain roots require treatment with a tree killer. Tree killer should be applied to the cut root, and you should make sure no tree killer is used on any part of the tree connected to the tree.

You may need to eliminate the roots without killing the tree for a variety of reasons.

Can You Remove Tree Roots Without Killing Tree?

Cutting and removing roots can be done without crippling or killing your tree. Trunk Proximity – The closer the roots are cut to the trunk, the more substantial and severe the damage to your tree will be. The 25 percent rule states that only 25% of a tree’s roots should be removed. The tree will die or fall, or both, soon.

Surface roots outside the drip line can be removed, as can any exposed roots outside the drip line. These can be removed without affecting the tree’s stability.

While cutting may appear the best solution, the chances of infection are high and could lead to the decay or death of your tree.

To be sure you deal with exposed roots in the right way, there is a formula you can use to determine how much you can safely cut and prune roots from the tree trunk.

Trunk diameter x 10 = The minimum safe distance for root pruning.

In reality, if you have a trunk diameter of 30-inches, the closest you can cut roots without causing more issues would be 300 inches (25 feet) from the trunk.

If it is just exposed roots you are dealing with; you can deal with exposed tree roots. Here are a few ways you can hide the problem without resorting to root removal.

Raise Lawn Surface Level

Another option is to bring in a couple of truckloads of topsoil to boost the level of your lawn’s surface.

This may need to be done on a few trips if your exposed tree roots breach the surface by several inches. The best time to do this is in the spring, so your grass grows through before you cover the tree root with topsoil again. (Learn How To Trim A Palm Tree)

Create Mulch Garden Bed

If your exposed tree roots are close to the trunk, another simple solution is to make a garden bed with mulch.

Order as much wood chip as is required to cover the area thoroughly. If the chip is thicker than 3 inches, the roots cannot breathe or get water.

Your problem will be fixed once the mulch has been spread.

However, it would help if you never piled mulch around the base of your tree as it traps moisture and leads to rot, which can harm your tree’s trunk and eventually cause it to topple. (Read Best Mulch For Vegetable Garden)

Use Dirt to Cover Exposed Tree Roots

Covering the roots with dirt or topsoil is a quick, straightforward, and inexpensive solution compared to tree removal or even root removal.

It is unlikely the roots or tree will be harmed if the earth is compacted too tightly to allow water and air to penetrate.

However, putting an extensive amount of dirt over the top of exposed roots could restrict oxygen, thus causing suffering. You should be OK if the dirt is only 3 inches thick.

Why Do Tree Roots Come To The Surface?

Liquidambars have more surface-breaching roots than other plants. Also, keep in mind that the roots of your tree are shallower than you might imagine; in most situations, the roots are only 4-8 inches below the surface.

Because that’s where all the water comes from, tree roots stay close to the surface. There is one that delves deeper in quest of water and moisture, but the vast majority of roots are near to the surface. (Learn How To Make A Tree Swing)

A few reasons roots breach the surface are:

Is It OK To Remove Exposed Tree Roots?

Physically removing exposed tree roots from large trees is not recommended if you wish to eliminate them.

Trees rely on their root systems for water, nutrients, and stability, which is critical for their safety and those living close to such large trees.

For aesthetic reasons, try to avoid cutting visible tree roots above surface level.

Roots will sprout in difficult areas in their ongoing search for moisture and nutrition, hence the reason they can damage your home’s foundation and lead to complete tree removal.

Besides this, roots adjust and vary their growth behavior based on soil compaction and quality.

Please take a minute to study the importance of the roots in connection to the tree’s health before killing, removing, or cutting them, whether they are surface roots or harmful underground roots.

Most of those roots are found 6 to 18 inches beneath the surface of the ground.

Injured roots are more likely to become infected or infested. This has a direct impact on the tree’s health, potentially leading to its decline and death.

Below ground, there are two types of roots:

Does Cutting Tree Roots Damage Tree?

Roots can come up through the earth and cause issues with foundations and pathways. Cutting tree roots is risky because it might hurt your tree permanently and even kill it. To avoid causing damage to your tree, you must first understand the roots you’re cutting and how the cuts will influence your tree.

A typical rule is not to cut more than 25% of the root system when cutting tree roots.

Another idea is to imagine the tree’s drip line as a pie and chop out 1/4 of the pie. It’s critical to keep as far away from the stem as possible and avoid cutting roots inside the drip line.

Make clean root cuttings with loppers, or a sharp hand saw to prevent any ragged root ends. Aim to prune down to the branch collar as if trimming a tree. You’ll discover clean cuts heal faster and establish a seal to keep disease out.

The first 18 inches of soil handle nutrient intake, so try not to dig or compact any of these roots with vehicles or large equipment.

Keep a layer of mulch or leaf debris around the drip line roots. This helps retain soil and moisture and breaks down organic matter to provide soil nutrients to the delicate roots.

Avoid cutting any huge, exposed roots as the larger roots offer the tree some structure. Cutting large roots on one side of the tree increases the risk of the tree toppling in a storm as large, exposed tree roots on the backside help support to stop the tree falling. (Learn How To Kill A Tree Secretly)

How Do You Permanently Get Rid of Tree Roots?

You may kill and remove some of the troublesome roots from a tree whose roots are becoming a nuisance by growing above ground or in undesirable locations.

When killing tree roots, employ caution because cutting the roots may kill the tree. Avoid touching any of the tree root within a distance of three to five times the diameter of the tree’s trunk in the ground to reduce the possibility of it dying.

Step-by-step process to cut tree roots:

Roots In Sewer Line

Tree roots are renowned for obstructing pipelines to gain access to the water and nutrients contained within.

The most vulnerable pipes and drain lines are sewer and drain lines. The main reason for this is that they frequently have openings through which roots might enter.

The most long-term approach for root control in sewer pipes is to replace them, although this can be very expensive.

Use a tree root killer like Copper Sulfate to cause root damage in sewer lines or drains temporarily. It will kill all the roots in the pipe without killing the rest of the tree if you pour it down your toilet or drain.

If you have a sidewalk lifting, it is often the case you can lift the pavers and level the ground before replacing the sidewalk pavers to be level again. The process is straightforward and only gets tricky when the roots are exposed on the landscape, or the tree species will cause more issues later.

Aspens

Aspen species are among the largest living organisms and are one tree connected by the roots. Herbicides can destroy huge aspen trees in your yard, so you have two alternatives. You can dig up and eliminate roots or mow your lawn weekly and stop spread and growth in your yard.

Digging up aspen roots can cause rapid growth and the same problem. Keep your exposed aspen shoots mowed to stop the spread around your yard landscape.

Poplars & Cottonwoods

Poplars and cottonwoods are cousins. Both produce seeds and branches from their roots. Cutting suckers with pruning shears or your lawn mower is the safest technique to kill them without harming the primary tree.

It’s hard to tell if they’re seeds or roots but using pruning shears is the best choice for how to kill tree roots popping up outside the trees canopy.

Elms

Elm roots rarely send up suckers. So, you can use chemicals to kill them.

Mow the ones that sprout up on your grass. Missing ones can be sprayed with herbicide—just mix and squirt. Remove and treat elm trees over 4 feet with a tree killer like Tordon.

You should now know the best approach of how to kill tree roots without killing the tree.

Hire a Professional

There are several reasons that you may want to hire a professional tree service to remove your tree stump. For example, if you don’t want to mess with the physical work of digging or grinding the stump yourself, and you don’t want to wait weeks or even months for it to go away, then it’s a good idea to let a pro take care of it for you.

In many cases, if you are having the tree professionally removed, then you can hire the same company to take out the stump too — for an additional fee.

According to Bates Hite, the owner of Tree Stump Masters in Atlanta, he’s seen homeowners do all kinds of crazy things to remove tree stumps, even lighting them on fire with charcoal. And he warned that the stump grinders you can rent at the local home improvement store are not powerful enough for larger roots.

“You can’t rent a big enough piece of equipment to get the job done right on a large tree stump. You need to go deep, and you need a big machine,”  he said.

On average, the cost of tree root removal by a professional tree removal service can range from $250 to $350 depending on the size and location of the tree stump.

FAQ

What is the Easiest Way to Remove Tree Roots?

While labor-intensive, the easiest way often is to dig around the stump, exposing the roots, then using a chainsaw or hatchet, cut the large roots. You can use gardening shears to cut smaller roots.

What will Dissolve Tree Roots?

Rock salt or a glyphosate herbicide with an active ingredient concentration of at least 41 percent can dissolve tree roots.

What Tool Removes Tree Roots?

Depending on the size of the root, you can use gardening shears, a chainsaw, a hatchet, or a handsaw to cut away roots.

What Should I Do With a Tree Stump?

If you have a tree stump, then it should all be removed to avoid it developing health hazards like mold or fungus. The dead tree can still spread disease to your healthy ones if left in place.

If you’d prefer someone else did the work, check out our comprehensive pricing guides: • How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost? • How Much Does Stump Removal Cost?

Should I Remove the Roots in My Yard?

If it’s only for aesthetic reasons, no. If the roots are threatening to damage structures or sidewalks, yes.

How To Remove Roots Inside Your Plumbing Pipes

Clogged plumbing due to tree roots is a common issue for homeowners. But if you take proactive measures, you can easily correct this problem with just a little rock salt.

The rock salt will kill the tree roots by robbing them of their moisture. Repeat this monthly for ongoing maintenance.

Trimming Live Tree Roots

Living tree roots need to be trimmed back in a few different situations. Tree roots grow indiscriminately, sometimes threatening your sidewalk, driveway, or foundation. Sometimes soil erosion or simple tree growth exposes roots. In that last situation, good tree maintenance might require cutting some roots. Roots can threaten your house by damaging the foundation or cracking pipes that run under the house. If your foundation or plumbing might be in danger it is best to call an expert to assess the situation.

Guidelines

There are a few rules and guidelines to keep in mind when trimming a live tree’s roots. Here are some things to avoid:

Here are some things you should do to maximize the odds of success when you trim a tree’s roots:

Make sure you have the right tools and equipment before getting started.

Equipment

You will need several pieces of equipment to do the job correctly:

Sterilize your saw or shovel with alcohol. Living roots that have been damaged are susceptible to disease. This is why sterilized tools are essential. The spray paint is for marking the minimum safe distance from the trunk.

Tree Root Removal Without Harming the Tree

Sometimes you love the tree in your yard but hate the roots that are tearing up your sidewalk or clogging up the plumbing. So what do you do about them? Can you eliminate these roots without harming your tree?

The answer here is yes. You can trim the roots back and you can take measures to prevent them from coming back in unwanted areas.  First, you’ll need a water hose, hand trowel, and a wheelbarrow or tarp to temporarily place the dirt, root saw, and material to create a root barrier (plastic, metal, or concrete).

With supplies ready, start by using your hose to soften the ground with water. You want the ground to be damp, but not soggy. Next, use the hand trowel to loosen the soil and feel out the roots. Remove the soil in and around the roots and place it in the wheelbarrow or on the tarp. It’s best to use your hands for this.

After you’ve trimmed the roots, dig a trench between them and the area that you don’t want them to go. Create a barrier at least 12 inches high and 10 inches long using a material like metal, plastic, or concrete, then cover it with soil. Pat or compact the soil down and spray with water to wet the ground.

Tree Stump Removal

Tree stumps waste space in a yard and are unsightly. You can hire a company to get rid of an old tree stump for you. You can also handle the removal work yourself. A large tree stump may have a huge root ball under it. Imagine a huge old oak that left a stump almost three feet across at the top. It would take a huge amount of labor to cut it up and haul it away or grind it up. Renting a stump grinder can speed things up, of course.

Property owners have a few options when it comes to removing a tree stump themselves:

The best stump removal option for most people in most situations is probably to call a tree services company that offers stump removal and stump grinding.

Removing Dead Tree Roots

If the tree stump has been removed, then cleaning up the roots is easy enough. Trace them visually or by digging near the location and cut up the roots. You can handle these root cleanup jobs with a shovel, saw, hatchet, and spray paint. On larger root systems you can use spray paint to mark points where you will cut the roots into manageable segments. After removing the roots, you might want to restore the disturbed ground. Fill in the holes. Plant some grass seeds. The tree root segments can be hauled off to a landfill or turned to wood chips and used on the property.

Most tree removal services will probably take care of a dead tree’s roots after cutting down the tree and removing the stump. Stump grinding services might not be included, so be sure to ask.

Removing Tree Roots After Tree Removal

Taking out tree roots can be a big job, especially if it was a big tree. Its underground root system can spread 20 feet deep, sometimes even more in the right conditions. To remove tree roots that are left after taking down a tree, in most cases, you have three options:

Call in the Tree Care Experts

Some jobs are best left to the pros. Contact a local tree care expert to take care of uprooting the problem roots in your lawn.

Main image credit: Aaron Escobar / Flickr / CC 2.0

Jennifer Lester

Jennifer Lester is a freelance writer and social media strategist who covers a variety of home and garden topics. She’s a graduate of Texas A&M University and the proud mom of three boys. In her spare time, she volunteers in her community and her children’s schools.

Tree Root Removal in Atlanta GA

We offer stump grinding and tree stump removal in Atlanta and surrounding areas. Call us and let our fully licensed and insured specialists handle the job. We are happy to provide free estimates on root removal, stump removal, and other tree services.

Treat the Roots With Chemicals

If you choose to treat the tree’s roots, there is a chemical herbicide option, which works fast to eliminate roots, or the more natural option of using rock salt, which is equally effective but takes longer. You can also use Epsom salt or another highly concentrated form. Table salt won’t do the trick.

Remove Roots Using a Chemical Compound

Treating chemically is easier, but will take longer.

You will need:

Pro Tip: Wear safety goggles or a face shield, a dust mask and hearing protection while working with the saw.

Once the chemical treatment is applied, you just wait. It will take about two weeks for the tree roots to completely die off.

Remove Roots With Rock Salt

It will take a few months and a few applications to get the job done.

First, you’ll need:

Pro Tip: Take care when handling rock salt and always wear gloves, because when it contacts your skin, it can cause “salt burns.”

The rock salt will rob the roots of any water and after a few months, your tree roots should be dead.

Why Should You Remove Tree Roots?

The most obvious reason to remove tree roots is that there is a stump in your yard that serves as a reminder of a tree that once stood there. And like the rest of the tree, you need it gone for one reason or another.

But that’s not always the case. You may, in fact, want to save the tree, but eliminate pesky roots that are cracking your sidewalk or clogging up the sewer line. Whatever the reason, we’ve got you covered. So let’s get started.

Physically Remove Tree Roots on Your Own

Physically taking out a tree stump and its roots is the fastest, but most laborious way to get rid of it. Tree stump removal and taking out the tree roots on your own generally involves either digging them out or using a stump grinder. It depends on the type and size of the tree roots you are dealing with. This type of DIY project works best with smaller stumps and roots.

Digging Out Tree Roots

First, call the utility company to make sure you aren’t digging around water, sewer, or other underground lines.

To dig out the roots, you’ll need a few supplies:

Here’s how to dig out tree roots by hand:

Using a Stump Grinder to Remove Tree Roots

In some cases, digging out the tree roots may prove difficult. But there is another option to physically remove them, and that is with the use of equipment. Stump grinding a pesky tree trunk is work, but you can eliminate it quickly, and even create some fresh wood mulch in the process.

If you use this method, you’ll need:

The average cost to rent a stump grinder is between $100 and $400. They can be found at your local home improvement stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot. Or you can rent one from an equipment store such as Sunbelt.

Pro Tip: Because of the debris involved, it’s important to wear the right safety gear. This includes fully covering your body with pants, a long sleeve shirt, and protective headgear and glasses.

Depending on the size and location of the tree, you’ll grind down anywhere from 2 to 4 or more inches. After you’ve completed this, use your shovel once again to dig up tree roots that were attached to the trunk.

Once you’ve completed the process, it’s time to treat the area. You can do this by shoveling or raking the loose wood chips onto the area where the stump was. If it is in a grassy area, also add topsoil and grass seed. If not, use mulch to help cover it.

Continue to check on the hole and treat it until it becomes a natural part of the yard.

If you’re contemplating how to remove the stump before you worry about removing the roots, check out our guide on 5 Ways to Remove a Tree Stump.