Blood, Sweat and Tears

• 1). The British Broadcasting Co. H2G2 website suggests digging around the stump with a spade to a distance of at least three times its diameter, loosening and removing earth to reveal as much as possible of the roots. Try some experimental leverage with a landscape bar to see if the stump moves at all. If it does, it's likely to be easy to remove.
  
  
• 2). Trowel under the stump, removing earth from between tree roots to expose them as much as possible. Wear gardening gloves to protect your hands, and track right back to the perimeter of the hole, clearing a wide space.
  
  
• 3). Clip and cut small rootlets with a sharp gardening knife or secateurs close to the perimeter, and use a hacksaw to cut through the medium-size roots. Cut them away from the stump to provide more access to the biggest roots.
  
  
• 4). Sharpen the cutting tools frequently while cutting away the roots, not only to keep them sharp but also to prevent injuries if a blunt edge ricochets. The Tree Surgeon Register particularly advises this for the landscape bar.
  
  
• 5). Cut through the big roots with a saw or a chainsaw if the landscape bar isn't effective. Use goggles to protect your eyes from splinters and dust.
  
  
• 6). Attach rope or a chain to the stump once as much of the root system has been cut as is possible. Hefty friends are of particular help here, as they can heave on the rope to lift the stump up, giving further access to roots that otherwise could not be reached. Cut through those with the appropriate tools.
  
  
• 7). Haul out the entire tree stump when all the roots have been cut. Chop it up with a chainsaw for firewood or for easy disposal.
  
  

Deadly Weapon

• 1). Cut the tree stump horizontally with a chainsaw to ground level. This removes wood that will delay the planned decomposition process and is a useful alternative to digging out the stump if it is particularly large.
  
  
• 2). Drill several holes into the heart of the stump, using as wide and long a drill bit as possible.
  
  
• 3). Pour a slow-release fertilizer into the holes. The University of Massachusetts says that the fertilizer accelerates decay, making the eventual job of digging up the tree stump a great deal easier.