Physically taking out a tree stump is the fastest, but.
Mar 20, Dig a hole in the area where you want to remove the roots. Measure a safe distance away from the tree before digging your hole. If the roots that you want to remove are underground, you'll need to reveal them with a shovel. Dig a hole around the tree where you want to remove the roots %(2).
Measure the diameter of your tree. Wrap a measuring tape around the tree, four feet from the tree’s base. For young trees, multiply the tree’s diameter by 3. For mature trees, multiply the diameter by 5. That number will help you determine a safe place to start digging. You should also dig out some space below the root as well. The goal is to make it as easy as possible to pull the root free after you’ve cut it.
For this step, you will need a root saw. Use it to cut the root at the mark that you made. You might be able to use loppers or pruning shears if the root has a diameter of one inch or less.
Grab the root by the cut end and pull it up and away from the trunk. Jun 03, Sharpen your shovel first. In terms of other tools for digging holes for trees, a mattock, which has a chopping blade on one side and a wide blade on the other, can be helpful for breaking up. To remove a tree stump by hand, first, dig around the trunk to expose the major roots. Use a hand saw, reciprocation saw or chainsaw to sever the major roots from the stump.
Pull the stump out with a tow strap and vehicle. For smaller stumps, you can use a digging bar to pry the stump out. A handyman jack works great as well.