If I remember correctly, the stuff they sell to help stumps decompose is potassium nitrate (aka saltpeter). One of the advantages it is supposed to have is that when you pour it in the holes and add water, it releases oxygen, and the oxygen, water and nitrogen aid in the decomposition of the wood.

So in theory, it's supposed to work better at breaking down stumps than something like urea would be.

This stuff I bought states you can use it with or without burning stump out. They said pour stuff into hole and soak with fuel and ignite for a faster removal. It also states if you dont want a open flame you can soak with diesel/or keroseen and place several charcoals on top of stump and it will burn still without open flame. I'm still leary about this as its so close to the house (less then 1' away from brick/and foundation. The brick only goes up like 3-4' though then its viynl. Could I use the charcoal suggestion or just let it go with just the chemical?

Personally, I'm not a fan of burning things too close to houses. The stump is at worst mildly annoying. Burning down the house is at best a disaster.

If you decide to do it, have a hose ready. Personally, I wouldn't.

I was thinking even with the charcoal there's always a chance for it to ignite. I'll just do the chemical and see how it does/reacts and go from there

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I think that's a good, cautious place to start.

Ok I drilled 3 holes about 10-12" down and I was hitting soil (drill bit had soil on it when brought up) and about 3-4 about 3-6" down and I poured product in the holes and filled with water like recommended. This product states it will rot the tree in 4 weeks. If I dont see much I'm going to add the high Nitrogen fert and try that too. If not it says I can then soak with keroseen/or diesel and place charcoals on top and it will smolder down into the roots. I will then take a welding blanket and block the corner of the house/brick and keep eye on it on a weekend or something were Ill be outside all day and be able to keep eye on it. We'll see..

I'm not holding my breathe. But I'm going to try. I don't care about getting rid of it just fully killing it so it won't take a chance of cracking my foundation

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Well here is around a week after applying its starting to crack and die but not much happening.

Are you keeping it damp?

simpson wrote:You need more holes then that. Also if you drilled all the way threw wont the product just dissipate into the soil and out pf the stump? Are the holes still filled?

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I was planning on doing more holes but my junk drill battery only holds a charge for like 1-1/2 holes.

Yea 2 of them went down to soil but others arnt as far. I did notice that the holes that went all the way through there's no stuff in the hole and the shorter ones still have stuff in it. I'll probably drill more shallow holes tomorrow and fill again. Making sure not to go down as far.

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Will do

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