Hi Guys
i have a plum tree bang in the centre of my garden that i
want to get
rid off, as i am putting up some climbing frames for my kids.
However i
am not sure how to remove the tree, its not very big, its
about 18ft
tall max, and is thin, the thickest part of the tree is at
the bottom
and measures 20 or so inches around, i was thinking about
simply cutting
it down ( safely and do it so i can control where it falls
lol) but not
sure what to do with the stump, or how much stump to leave?
should i dig
the stump out or use one of the many stump removal products
etc? because
the garden is used by my kids i want sure if the stump
removal products
were safe etc, so would appreciate any help if possible

I have become quite an expert in this having removed several
trees over the last 5 years. The most useful tool I have is a
little fold up saw that cuts on the pull (rather than on the push
like a conventional saw) that I bought for a couple of quid from
Aldi.

My Method
Cut down tree leaving at least 6ft of trunk.
Dig around base cutting all roots with pull saw.
Wiggle trunk.
Dig and cut more.
Lean heavily on trunk, or attach rope to Land Rover where access
makes this possible.
Dig and cut more.
Once down hack as much soil and root from the rootball as
possible before logging the remaining trunk and depositing
rootball on bonfire.

Some big ones have been removed over several days/evenings but
none have defeated me.

Disposing of the rootball can be a problem if you don't have
space for a bonfire, cutting them up soon wrecks a chainsaw due
to all the grit.

Another idea is to cut the tree down as low as possible then use
a chainsaw with an old chain to grind it down to soil level. I
find that a "G" clamp on the end of the bar as a second handle
makes this job much easier.

Mike