Tricky stump removal- any pointers ?

[novocaine]

1, what does the walls foundation look like? is it a pored concrete pad over compacted stone? if it is then the root dieback wont effect the wall further. from the looks of it though, this isn't the case as it should extend beyond the wall and I can't see anything there.
2, trees like to grow. even from a stump. there will be no growth this year but next you'll see little shoots. Tooty mentions the problem will be in ten years, but in ten years you'll be dealing with trees again if you don't remove it.

how to get them out?
I like the jet wash idea for a start, but it's messy.
so far you've dug about half of what you need to.
cut the roots you've exposed, you'll want to cut twice, once near the stump and once about a foot back. then keep digging. you'll hit more roots, do the same thing till you get right under the stump.
assuming it's fir rather than rhododendron (that's a hell of a trunk for that) there will be a nice big tap root to cut.
you are now at half way stage.
time for a chain saw (like I wouldn't be using one already to cut those roots, but I won't recommend it in ground, do as I say not as I do).
cut the stump straight down as close to the wall as you can and remove. you'll now have access to tug, pull and wiggle what's left to get at the root system under the wall. cutting as you go.

you are leaving a future issue, but you are doing that no matter what. that wall will need to be rebuilt at some point.

 

[bikeworkshop]

If you want to remove the stump you ought to remove the wall in an arch over the root to allow access, otherwise it will probably collapse.

Is it yours?

You should shore the remaining wall up while you do this, to stabilise it and protect yourself.

The root has already buckled the masonry
- its going to need fixing anyway when either the root rots away or you create movement extracting it and leave a different substrate when you're finished.

With access, you might be able to winch the root out once it's reasonably loosened. That's a lot easier than digging, but carries its own risks too, so do get advice.

Once the root is out, you can rebuild the bottom of the wall to make good.

 

[Gtpulse]

If you do go the route of removal and have one a reciprocating/demo saw is a great tool for cutting roots. It cuts out the many risks of using a chain saw in a confined area as well as the issue of blunting the chain you have when using a chainsaw at ground/dirt level, they soon dull if there is even a tiny bit of dirt in the cut. Or if you have a mate who has *cough* access to certain fire fighting equipment that works really well.

In a garden with no vehicle/winch access a high lift/farm jack was my go to tool for pulling stumps out, combined with a chain and some shackles you can usually get the sort of pull on it that you not be able to any other way.

 

[novocaine]

If you do go the route of removal and have one a reciprocating/demo saw is a great tool for cutting roots. It cuts out the many risks of using a chain saw in a confined area as well as the issue of blunting the chain you have when using a chainsaw at ground/dirt level, they soon dull if there is even a tiny bit of dirt in the cut. Or if you have a mate who has *cough* access to certain fire fighting equipment that works really well.

In a garden with no vehicle/winch access a high lift/farm jack was my go to tool for pulling stumps out, combined with a chain and some shackles you can usually get the sort of pull on it that you not be able to any other way.

oh yer, demo saw, that's what I used last time I had the privledge. thanks for the reminder. the chainsaw stayed in it's box that day.

I also have a come along (ratchet winch) that was strapped to a nearby tree for applying pressure, but I'd be loath to do that here as it's going to help with pulling the wall along too.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Then just a quick tidy- up

 

[novocaine]

View attachment 899766
Then just a quick tidy- up

ah yes, the Wile E Coyote school of arbory.

remember folks, do not return to a lit fuse.

 

[Gtpulse]

oh yer, demo saw, that's what I used last time I had the privledge. thanks for the reminder. the chainsaw stayed in it's box that day.

I also have a come along (ratchet winch) that was strapped to a nearby tree for applying pressure, but I'd be loath to do that here as it's going to help with pulling the wall along too.

Learned the hard way, couldn’t work out why my chainsaw blade kept smoking!

 

[greencat]

How long to you plan to live there? Maybe it is worth leaving for the next home owner to fix.

Leave it, prune any new growth and maybe repoint that wall - and you might be good for another 5 years or so.

 

[novocaine]

Learned the hard way, couldn’t work out why my chainsaw blade kept smoking!

Yer I have 2 chains for mine, one for best and one for random shit. I always sharpen before use.

but the demo saw with a good 5-7 TPI and a heavy set blade is a way better way of doing it if you A: can get power to it, or B: have a battery powered one.

 

[argonsixar]

So the boys came round with their tools.