Best Stump Killers

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Stump killers are a practical solution for gardeners and homeowners looking to eliminate unwanted tree stumps efficiently. These products accelerate the natural decay process, making stump removal easier or allowing the stump to rot away over time. Available in liquid, granular, and foam forms, stump killers break down wood fibers and roots, offering a cost-effective alternative to manual removal. They are especially useful in areas inaccessible to heavy machinery or when you want to preserve the surrounding landscape. When choosing a stump killer, consider the active ingredients, ease of application, and treatment time—some require multiple applications, while others promise results with just one. We spent weeks researching and testing various stump killers to find the most effective and user-friendly options for different needs and budgets.

  • Bonide Stump & Vine Killer

    10

    We recommend this product for its effective stump and vine killing abilities, making it a solid choice for tackling unwanted woody plants in your yard.

    10

    We recommend this product for its effective stump and vine killing abilities, making it a solid choice for tackling unwanted woody plants in your yard.

    Pros

    • Easy brush application
    • Works on various woody plants
    • Doesn’t harm surrounding turf

    Cons

    • Small bottle size
    • May need reapplication
    • Takes several weeks to see results

    We tried out the Bonide Stump & Vine Killer on some stubborn stumps and vines in our yard. The brush applicator made it simple to target specific areas without affecting nearby plants. We liked how it worked on a range of woody plants, including poison oak and ivy.

    After using it, we noticed it took about 1-6 weeks to see full results. While it was effective, we had to reapply on tougher plants like mulberry. The 8-ounce bottle seemed small for the price, but a little went a long way.

    We found this product handy for use around our home, along fences, and near walkways. It’s a good option if you want to get rid of unwanted woody growth without harming your lawn. Just keep in mind it’s for outdoor use only and you’ll need some patience to see the full effects.

  • Fertilome Brush & Stump Killer

    9.7

    We think this is a solid choice for tackling stubborn stumps and unwanted woody plants in your yard.

    9.7

    We think this is a solid choice for tackling stubborn stumps and unwanted woody plants in your yard.

    Pros

    • Kills a wide range of woody plants
    • Works on both stumps and brush
    • Concentrated formula is easy to mix

    Cons

    • Packaging could be improved
    • No applicator included
    • May harm nearby plants if not careful

    We’ve used Fertilome Brush & Stump Killer for years, and it’s become our go-to solution for pesky stumps and brush. The concentrated formula packs a punch, targeting a variety of woody plants and vines. We found it works best when applied to freshly cut stumps within 45 minutes of cutting.

    Mixing the product is simple. For brush, we mix 8 ounces with a gallon of water and spray it on leaves. For stumps, we use it straight from the bottle. One downside is that you’ll need to supply your own brush or sprayer, as none are included.

    We noticed the packaging could use some improvements. The lid doesn’t seal well, which can lead to leaks if you’re not careful. Despite this, we’ve had great success using it on invasive brush and unwanted tree sprouts. Just be careful not to get it on plants you want to keep – it’s very effective at its job!

  • Bonide Vine & Stump Killer

    9.5

    We think this stump killer is a solid choice for tackling tough brush and vines, though it requires some patience to see results.

    9.5

    We think this stump killer is a solid choice for tackling tough brush and vines, though it requires some patience to see results.

    Pros

    • Comes with a handy applicator brush
    • Works on various types of unwanted growth
    • Good value 2-pack

    Cons

    • Takes time to see full effects
    • May leak during shipping
    • Not as thick as older versions

    We tried out this Bonide Vine & Stump Killer on some pesky blackberry vines and small tree stumps in our yard. The included brush made it easy to paint the product right onto the cut surfaces. We liked not having to buy a separate applicator.

    After using it, we had to wait a few weeks to see results. It did eventually kill off the treated plants, but it’s not a quick fix. We were able to pull out dead vines and saw the stumps start to decay. It worked well on various plants like honeysuckle and privet too.

    The 2-pack is a good deal if you have a lot of brush to tackle. But we noticed the formula seems thinner than older versions we’ve used. Some bottles might leak in transit, so check your package carefully. While it takes time, we found this stump killer does the job on tough plants when used correctly.

  • Tordon RTU Stump Killer

    9.4

    We recommend this effective herbicide for tackling stubborn tree stumps and unwanted woody growth in non-crop areas.

    9.4

    We recommend this effective herbicide for tackling stubborn tree stumps and unwanted woody growth in non-crop areas.

    Pros

    • Ready-to-use formula
    • Kills stumps and prevents regrowth
    • Works on many tree species

    Cons

    • Only for non-crop use
    • Can harm desired plants if misapplied
    • Requires careful handling

    Tordon RTU is a powerful ally in the fight against pesky stumps and unwanted trees. We found its ready-to-use formula easy to apply directly to freshly cut surfaces. No mixing or measuring needed – just pour and go.

    We tested it on several stubborn mulberry and elm stumps. A small amount on each cut surface did the trick. The herbicide soaks into the wood, traveling down to the roots to prevent new sprouts. It’s satisfying to see those persistent stumps finally give up the ghost.

    Safety is key when using Tordon RTU. We always wear gloves and follow the label instructions carefully. It’s strong stuff, so we’re cautious to avoid spills or overspray that could harm nearby plants we want to keep. For tough woody plants in non-crop areas, this herbicide gets the job done.

  • BioAdvanced Brush Killer Plus

    9.3

    We think this powerful brush killer is a great choice for tackling tough weeds and invasive plants in your yard.

    9.3

    We think this powerful brush killer is a great choice for tackling tough weeds and invasive plants in your yard.

    Pros

    • Kills over 70 types of weeds and brush
    • Works on stubborn plants like poison ivy and kudzu
    • Rainproof in 4 hours

    Cons

    • Takes 1-6 weeks to see results
    • May harm wanted plants if not careful
    • Requires careful handling and application

    We recently tried out BioAdvanced Brush Killer Plus on some pesky poison ivy and kudzu in our yard. The concentrate was easy to mix and apply with a sprayer. We made sure to coat the leaves thoroughly without letting it drip off.

    After about 2 weeks, we started to see the weeds wilt and yellow. It took about a month for them to die off completely. We were impressed by how well it worked on thick vines and woody brush that were hard to remove by hand.

    One thing to watch out for is overspray. The mist can drift and hurt plants you want to keep. We suggest using it on a calm day and shielding any nearby flowers or veggies. It’s also important to wear protective gear when spraying.

    The ability to use this product to kill stumps is a nice bonus. We painted some leftover concentrate on a freshly cut stump, and it prevented new growth. For tough brush problems, this BioAdvanced formula seems to do the job well.

  • Roundup Ivy & Brush Killer

    9.1

    We think this is a solid choice for tackling tough weeds and brush, especially if you’re dealing with poison ivy or other stubborn plants.

    9.1

    We think this is a solid choice for tackling tough weeds and brush, especially if you’re dealing with poison ivy or other stubborn plants.

    Pros

    • Kills over 200 types of weeds
    • Fast-acting formula
    • Rainproof in 30 minutes

    Cons

    • Strong chemical smell
    • May harm desired plants if not careful
    • Takes multiple applications for tougher weeds

    We tried out Roundup’s Poison Ivy Plus Tough Brush Killer and found it to be pretty effective. The spray bottle made it easy to target problem areas in our yard. We noticed some wilting on the poison ivy leaves within a day.

    The product claims to kill over 200 types of weeds, which matches our experience. We used it on some wild blackberry bushes and kudzu vines too. It took a couple of applications, but they eventually died off.

    One thing we liked was how quickly it became rainproof. We had a light shower about an hour after spraying, but it didn’t seem to affect the product’s performance. The 1-gallon size lasted us quite a while, even with repeated use on stubborn areas.

  • Southern Ag Brush Killer

    9

    We recommend this effective stump killer for its powerful formula and versatile applications.

    9

    We recommend this effective stump killer for its powerful formula and versatile applications.

    Pros

    • Kills stumps and prevents regrowth
    • Works on many types of woody plants
    • Easy to apply as spray or brush-on

    Cons

    • May harm nearby plants if not careful
    • Strong chemical smell
    • Requires multiple applications for tough stumps

    We tried Southern Ag Brush Killer on some stubborn stumps in our yard. The 16-ounce bottle was enough to treat several medium-sized stumps. We liked how easy it was to use – we just sprayed it directly on freshly cut surfaces.

    After a few days, we noticed the stumps starting to dry out. Within a couple of weeks, they showed no signs of new growth. We were impressed by how it worked on different types of wood, from softwoods to harder varieties.

    One thing to watch out for is overspray. We accidentally got some on nearby plants, and it affected them too. The smell is also quite strong, so we made sure to wear gloves and a mask. For really big stumps, we found we needed to reapply after a few weeks for best results.

  • Martin’s Stump Killer RTU

    8.7

    We recommend this ready-to-use stump killer for its convenience and effectiveness in controlling unwanted woody plants.

    8.7

    We recommend this ready-to-use stump killer for its convenience and effectiveness in controlling unwanted woody plants.

    Pros

    • Easy-to-use spray bottle
    • Blue dye for visible application
    • Works on many woody plant species

    Cons

    • May take time to see full results
    • Limited customer reviews
    • Potentially harmful if not used carefully

    When we tried Martin’s Stump Killer RTU, we were impressed by its user-friendly design. The 32 oz squirt bottle made application a breeze – no mixing or measuring needed. We found the blue dye especially helpful, as it let us see exactly where we’d sprayed.

    We tested it on a variety of stubborn stumps in our yard. The active ingredients, including Picloram and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, went to work quickly. While it’s too soon to say if the stumps are completely dead, we noticed signs of wilting within days.

    One thing we liked was the flexibility in application timing. We could use it year-round, which isn’t always the case with similar products. The 2-pound bottle was easy to carry around the yard as we worked. While we’re pleased so far, we’ll keep an eye on long-term results.

  • Bonide Stump Buster

    8.7

    We recommend this stump killer for its effectiveness on a variety of woody plants and its easy-to-use applicator cap.

    8.7

    We recommend this stump killer for its effectiveness on a variety of woody plants and its easy-to-use applicator cap.

    Pros

    • Kills stumps and vines quickly
    • Prevents regrowth
    • Comes with convenient applicator

    Cons

    • May take multiple applications
    • Not for use on grass
    • Strong chemical odor

    We tried out the Bonide Stump Buster on some pesky tree stumps in our yard. The 8-ounce bottle comes with a handy applicator cap, making it easy to target specific areas without waste. We painted it directly onto freshly cut stumps and saw results within a week.

    This product works well on a range of woody plants, including vines and brush. We used it on some stubborn blackberry bushes and noticed they started wilting after just a few days. It’s important to note that it won’t harm grass, so you can use it near your lawn without worry.

    We found the Stump Buster to be quite potent, but it sometimes took more than one application to fully kill larger stumps. The smell is pretty strong, so we made sure to wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. While it’s not the cheapest option out there, the five-pack offers good value for tackling multiple stumps or persistent weed problems.

  • Hi-Yield Stump Remover

    8.6

    We think this stump remover is a decent option for patient gardeners, but it may not be the best choice for quick results.

    8.6

    We think this stump remover is a decent option for patient gardeners, but it may not be the best choice for quick results.

    Pros

    • Easy to apply
    • Safe for nearby plants
    • Works on various stump sizes

    Cons

    • Slow decomposition process
    • Requires drilling holes
    • Mixed effectiveness reports

    We tried the Hi-Yield Stump Remover on a few stubborn tree stumps in our yard. The granular form made it simple to pour into the drilled holes. We liked that it didn’t harm the grass and flowers around the stumps.

    The product takes time to work. We waited several weeks and saw some signs of decay, but it wasn’t as fast as we hoped. For smaller stumps, we noticed quicker results. Larger ones needed more time and extra applications.

    One thing to note is the strong chlorine smell when you open the container. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s good to be aware of. We found the instructions clear, but make sure you follow them closely for the best results. While not perfect, this stump remover can be useful for gardeners who don’t mind a gradual approach to stump removal.

Buying Guide

When shopping for a stump killer, we recommend considering a few key factors:

Active Ingredients

Look for products containing effective herbicides like:

  • Triclopyr
  • Glyphosate
  • Imazapyr

These ingredients target the roots to prevent regrowth.

Application Method

Choose between:

  • Liquid concentrates (mix with water)
  • Ready-to-use sprays
  • Granules

Sprays work well for smaller stumps. Granules are good for larger areas.

Safety Features

We suggest picking products with:

  • Child-resistant packaging
  • Clear safety instructions
  • EPA registration

Coverage Area

Calculate how many stumps you need to treat. Buy enough to cover your needs without excess waste.

Speed of Action

Some formulas work faster than others. Decide if you need quick results or can wait a few weeks.

Weather Resistance

Pick a product that won’t wash away in rain. This helps ensure it reaches the roots.

Eco-Friendliness

If you’re concerned about the environment, look for biodegradable options with low toxicity to wildlife.

We hope this guide helps you find the right stump killer for your needs. Remember to always follow the product instructions carefully.