I've seen on a few sites that this is possible, but I don't even know what high-nitrogen fertilizer options would be. I've read that cow manure would be one example, but I'm not sure?

I really want to use the fertilizer option, but can anyone here instruct me on how this works? Also, how long does this take, on average to finally kill and rot the tree so that it can be removed from the ground? Or does it simply turn to ash? (I know this depends on the size of the tree and probably the circumference too; it's a fairly average tree, nothing like an oak or anything.)

For the record, I don't want to use Roundup in or around my home, so that's not an option. Grinding the tree is not an option either, nor is hiring someone to do it. I also cannot purchase salpeter (Potassium Nitrate, I think) in my area, because it is now forbidden for whatever reasons. And I definitely have no intention of using oil/petrol or dynamite to remove the stump! Oh, and the product they sell in stores that you put on the stump (I think it's made with saltpeter or is simply saltpeter, not sure), is not at all available here.

And last, I don't want to compost on top of the stump or put grass on top of the stump. I've spent some time looking into options, and the fertilizer option seems to be the best.

I've tried looking through the archives, but haven't found sound results, any help here would be much appreciated. Thank you.

and the fact that you would use that.. but are adverse to roundup... confuses me wildly ...

the nitro ... will rot wood.. it wont necessarily kill a tree ... because of the inability to apply the granules ... unless you can find it in liquid form ...

to rot.. wood needs to remain damp.. which is hard if it is sticking out of the ground ... and the nitro actually speeds decomposition process ....

how damp your soil remains.. over time .. will dictate how fast it rots.. in my sand ... which gets real dry ... stumps can sit there for years..but on 5 acres.. i really dont care ...

thats the 'gist' .. others will denigrate that answer ... so be it

i am guessing you are ill informed about roundup.. how to apply it.. use it.. and it effects .... and that frustrates me ...but its a waste of time to educate you .... since you have ruled it out summarily ...

ken

Take a drill with a long bit at least half and inch in diameter, and drill as many vertical holes into the stump as you can. Pour the fertilizer into the holes maybe an inch deep, and them douse the whole thing with water to keep it as wet as possible on an ongoing basis. This will speed the decay quite a bit, but remember, if it would take a decade in nature to break the stump down, it's still going to take a least a few years under the best of circumstances with assistance to do it. It doesn't "turn to ash", it is rotted by fungi and bacteria, the fertilizer just speeds the process -- rotten wood gets soft, spongy, and ultimately crumbles into powder that feeds the soil.

You can periodically reapply smaller amounts of fertilizer to the stump to feed the decay organisms, as you would any plant, but don't overdo it and kill them off.

I've had various trees cut before on my property, and actually had them leave stumps about 10' tall, and then planted ornamental vines such as trumpet vine or silver lace vine on them. The vines cover the stumps, the stumps provide nesting places for woodpeckers and other cavity dwellers as they decay, and food for these birds as well. Eventually, they rot off and fall over in storms and I clean them up the rest of the way -- and end up having to come up with a new trellis for the vines! But it's all good.

Take a drill with a long bit at least half and inch in diameter, and drill as many vertical holes into the stump as you can. Pour the fertilizer into the holes maybe an inch deep, and them douse the whole thing with water to keep it as wet as possible on an ongoing basis. This will speed the decay quite a bit, but remember, if it would take a decade in nature to break the stump down, it's still going to take a least a few years under the best of circumstances with assistance to do it. It doesn't "turn to ash", it is rotted by fungi and bacteria, the fertilizer just speeds the process -- rotten wood gets soft, spongy, and ultimately crumbles into powder that feeds the soil.

You can periodically reapply smaller amounts of fertilizer to the stump to feed the decay organisms, as you would any plant, but don't overdo it and kill them off.

I've had various trees cut before on my property, and actually had them leave stumps about 10' tall, and then planted ornamental vines such as trumpet vine or silver lace vine on them. The vines cover the stumps, the stumps provide nesting places for woodpeckers and other cavity dwellers as they decay, and food for these birds as well. Eventually, they rot off and fall over in storms and I clean them up the rest of the way -- and end up having to come up with a new trellis for the vines! But it's all good.

Take a drill with a long bit at least half and inch in diameter, and drill as many vertical holes into the stump as you can. Pour the fertilizer into the holes maybe an inch deep, and them douse the whole thing with water to keep it as wet as possible on an ongoing basis. This will speed the decay quite a bit, but remember, if it would take a decade in nature to break the stump down, it's still going to take a least a few years under the best of circumstances with assistance to do it. It doesn't "turn to ash", it is rotted by fungi and bacteria, the fertilizer just speeds the process -- rotten wood gets soft, spongy, and ultimately crumbles into powder that feeds the soil.

You can periodically reapply smaller amounts of fertilizer to the stump to feed the decay organisms, as you would any plant, but don't overdo it and kill them off.

I've had various trees cut before on my property, and actually had them leave stumps about 10' tall, and then planted ornamental vines such as trumpet vine or silver lace vine on them. The vines cover the stumps, the stumps provide nesting places for woodpeckers and other cavity dwellers as they decay, and food for these birds as well. Eventually, they rot off and fall over in storms and I clean them up the rest of the way -- and end up having to come up with a new trellis for the vines! But it's all good.

Take a drill with a long bit at least half and inch in diameter, and drill as many vertical holes into the stump as you can. Pour the fertilizer into the holes maybe an inch deep, and them douse the whole thing with water to keep it as wet as possible on an ongoing basis. This will speed the decay quite a bit, but remember, if it would take a decade in nature to break the stump down, it's still going to take a least a few years under the best of circumstances with assistance to do it. It doesn't "turn to ash", it is rotted by fungi and bacteria, the fertilizer just speeds the process -- rotten wood gets soft, spongy, and ultimately crumbles into powder that feeds the soil.

You can periodically reapply smaller amounts of fertilizer to the stump to feed the decay organisms, as you would any plant, but don't overdo it and kill them off.

I've had various trees cut before on my property, and actually had them leave stumps about 10' tall, and then planted ornamental vines such as trumpet vine or silver lace vine on them. The vines cover the stumps, the stumps provide nesting places for woodpeckers and other cavity dwellers as they decay, and food for these birds as well. Eventually, they rot off and fall over in storms and I clean them up the rest of the way -- and end up having to come up with a new trellis for the vines! But it's all good.

Take a drill with a long bit at least half and inch in diameter, and drill as many vertical holes into the stump as you can. Pour the fertilizer into the holes maybe an inch deep, and them douse the whole thing with water to keep it as wet as possible on an ongoing basis. This will speed the decay quite a bit, but remember, if it would take a decade in nature to break the stump down, it's still going to take a least a few years under the best of circumstances with assistance to do it. It doesn't "turn to ash", it is rotted by fungi and bacteria, the fertilizer just speeds the process -- rotten wood gets soft, spongy, and ultimately crumbles into powder that feeds the soil.

You can periodically reapply smaller amounts of fertilizer to the stump to feed the decay organisms, as you would any plant, but don't overdo it and kill them off.

I've had various trees cut before on my property, and actually had them leave stumps about 10' tall, and then planted ornamental vines such as trumpet vine or silver lace vine on them. The vines cover the stumps, the stumps provide nesting places for woodpeckers and other cavity dwellers as they decay, and food for these birds as well. Eventually, they rot off and fall over in storms and I clean them up the rest of the way -- and end up having to come up with a new trellis for the vines! But it's all good.

Take a drill with a long bit at least half and inch in diameter, and drill as many vertical holes into the stump as you can. Pour the fertilizer into the holes maybe an inch deep, and them douse the whole thing with water to keep it as wet as possible on an ongoing basis. This will speed the decay quite a bit, but remember, if it would take a decade in nature to break the stump down, it's still going to take a least a few years under the best of circumstances with assistance to do it. It doesn't "turn to ash", it is rotted by fungi and bacteria, the fertilizer just speeds the process -- rotten wood gets soft, spongy, and ultimately crumbles into powder that feeds the soil.

You can periodically reapply smaller amounts of fertilizer to the stump to feed the decay organisms, as you would any plant, but don't overdo it and kill them off.

I've had various trees cut before on my property, and actually had them leave stumps about 10' tall, and then planted ornamental vines such as trumpet vine or silver lace vine on them. The vines cover the stumps, the stumps provide nesting places for woodpeckers and other cavity dwellers as they decay, and food for these birds as well. Eventually, they rot off and fall over in storms and I clean them up the rest of the way -- and end up having to come up with a new trellis for the vines! But it's all good.

Drill holes like said earlier. That will increase the exposed surface area and speed rot. I have concerns about unbalancing the nitrogen mixture for whatever is around it now and later. I do not know your nitrogen absorption rates or how quickly it will break down

No one here needs to educate me on Monsanto and their products. They are a completely unethical and criminal company that is allowed to run rampant because of its corporate and financial might. You presume to understand my many reasons for not wanting to use any of their products. I stand by my assertion. I'm educated (formally) and I am plugged in politically. I refuse to use this company's products and I stand by that assertion. Thanks.

When my tulip tree was hit by lightning and died, I was shocked at what a soft and lightweight wood it was -- the chain saw went through it like warm butter.

The softer a wood is, the faster it generally rots from what I've seen.

Some have recommended the use of a mattock for many such applications. The mattock in uniniated hands smacks of severing an artery.

Sounds like a really bad accident waiting to happen.

If you are in a drought striken area wait till fire bans are lifted.

Light it the hard way wihout accelerant if you must lol. Safer anyways.

Thanks for having fun with us!