Stubborn tree stump

[Marc]

This month is the first since my first year in business that I had not a single inspection. I thought I'd pass the time by challenging a stump in my front yard.

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Took this old fart about 20 hrs to get it out. A couple hours each am before it got too hot.

I enjoyed the challenge and saved the expense of a stump grinder rental.

I think I'll wait until I've a chain saw before I tackle another, larger one in my backyard.

Marc

[Les]

Hey Marc,

you can come visit me anytime; bring that shovel, truck and attitude!

I like the second photo as it seems the truck is in reverse and the stump is moving!

[Bain]

I would have guessed tatoos. Lots of them.

[Marc]

I took it easy on the first pull. Didn't want to break anything. When I saw that it was free and ready, I put some slack in the rope and used momentum to fly it out. It's a 16 - 18" stump. I'm guessing between 500 and 800 lbs.

Marc

[John Kogel]

I would have guessed tatoos. Lots of them.

That shovel must be hiding the nipple ring. []

Way to go, Marc. As Ranger Bill used to say "The satisfaction and pride of a job well done".

I've got a team of ants working on my stump. They're slow but they work steady.

[Mark P]

Damn Marc - now that was work!

My grandfater was a school principle in the early 1940's. Whenever a boy was sent to him for being bad he gave the boy a choice of either taking some licks from the paddle or digging up stumps from the field next door to the school. Eventually the field was clear and to this day it is a sports field. But I don't think they were stumps like Marc's stump.

[Mike Lamb]

I hope business picks up for you but don't throw away the ax.

Except for the truck it reminds me of the movie, "Shane."

[John Dirks Jr]

It takes a genuine philosopher to sit there and do that. I bet you got alot done in your head too. Nice job.

BTW, the axe is better for chopping the roots. Running a chain saw down in those dirt packed roots will tear the chain and bar up.

Even when you cut the lateral roots, sometimes theres a big tap root straight out the bottom that keeps it stuck in there.

[kurt]

I think Marc should have his wife take the stump out.

[Erby]

Ya gotta admire the determination. I'd have just rented a stump grinder. Guess I'm just lazy!

[kurt]

Backhoe with a front end loader.

[Marc]

It takes a genuine philosopher to sit there and do that. I bet you got alot done in your head too. Nice job.

BTW, the axe is better for chopping the roots. Running a chain saw down in those dirt packed roots will tear the chain and bar up.

Even when you cut the lateral roots, sometimes theres a big tap root straight out the bottom that keeps it stuck in there.

John, when I realized yesterday that I might not get the 'big tap root' out I did indeed get philosophical to the point where I was drawing parallels with every other failed endeavor that I've attempted in my life. Turns out that there was no big tap root, and this was an oak. Biggest roots were along the perimeter at shallow depths. As I dug down and went horizontally to get beneath the stump, the roots got smaller though I did have to get directly beneath the center axis of the stump to get the last one severed.

Marc

[Nolan Kienitz]

So now that there is no tree ... what the heck are you going to do for shade?

Unless you can transplant another living tree you will be waiting a few years for shade?

Damn ... I'm impressed with the effort and success. [:-thumbu]

[Marc]

Got all the shade I need in the back yard. That's where I do all my frolickin' in my boxers anyways.

Marc

[John Dirks Jr]

It takes a genuine philosopher to sit there and do that. I bet you got alot done in your head too. Nice job.

BTW, the axe is better for chopping the roots. Running a chain saw down in those dirt packed roots will tear the chain and bar up.

Even when you cut the lateral roots, sometimes theres a big tap root straight out the bottom that keeps it stuck in there.

John, when I realized yesterday that I might not get the 'big tap root' out I did indeed get philosophical to the point where I was drawing parallels with every other failed endeavor that I've attempted in my life. Turns out that there was no big tap root, and this was an oak. Biggest roots were along the perimeter at shallow depths. As I dug down and went horizontally to get beneath the stump, the roots got smaller though I did have to get directly beneath the center axis of the stump to get the last one severed.

Marc

I hear ya. Its like this;

How do you eat an elephant? .......one bite at a time.