How to Chemically Destroy a Stump

Cut the top of the stump to produce a freshly-cut surface. When trees are cut, the cells attempt to heal the tree by compartmentalizing the wound. Freshly cut wood will better absorb the chemical herbicide. After cutting, clean off all of the sawdust.

Put on protective gloves and goggles. Pour the amount of herbicide recommended by the manufacturer into a handheld or backpack sprayer.

Apply herbicide immediately after cutting by thoroughly wetting the cambium layer. This is the layer between the outer bark and the wood that carries nutrients down to the roots. If the tree is less than 3 inches in diameter, wet the entire surface of the stump. Avoid overspraying to prevent excessive herbicidal runoff.

Read the manufacturer's label of the herbicide carefully for information on reapplying the chemical. Picloram, glyphosate and triclopyr are the most commonly used chemicals in commercial herbicides for stump removal. Each may have different instructions depending on the species of the tree.