An Easy Guide to Measure the Weight of Tree Stumps

You’re probably almost done removing a tree in your backyard, but there’s a tree stump getting in your way.

As you try to identify what type of excavator you’ll need to finish the job, you’ll first have to get an estimate of the weight of the tree stump.

So without further ado, here’s a quick guide on how to calculate the weight of a tree stump.

How do you measure the weight of a tree stump?

The weight of a tree stump is calculated using Huber’s formula:

Weight = Volume x Wood Density

Just multiply the volume by the wood density, and you’ll get the weight of the tree stump.

Now, here’s how to measure each variable.

Tree Stump Volume

The volume of a tree stump is measured through this formula:

V = [ (3.14) (L) (D²) ] / 4

V stands for volume; L for length; and D for diameter.

How to Calculate the Volume of a Tree Stump

1. Use one measurement label for all your calculations. If you’re using meters, measure the rest in meters.
2. D² – Measure the diameter at the center of the flat surface of the tree stump. Then, multiply the number by itself.
3. L – Measure the length of the stump from the ground.
4. V – Multiply the length (L), the square of the diameter (D²), and 3.14. Then, divide the product of these variables by 4.

Wood Density of Common Tree Species

Here’s a table of the most common tree species and their wood densities in kilograms per cubic meter.

Note: The densities included in the table are for seasoned and dry wood. It’s for tree stumps that stayed in the open for some time, thereby reducing their moisture content.

Tree Species	Density (kg/m3)
Balsa	110 – 140
Bamboo	310 – 400
Basswood	320 – 590
White Pine	350 – 500
Poplar	350 – 500
Butternut	380
Western Red Cedar	380
Obeche	390
Sycamore	400-600
Willow	400-600
Cottonwood	410
Aspen	420
Yellow Pine	420
Alder	420 – 680
Gaboon	430
Norway Spruce	430
American Redwood	450
Canadian Spruce	450
European Whitewood	470
Cedar	490 – 570
Western Hemlock	500
African Mahogany	500 – 850
Cypress	510
Birch	510 – 770
Douglas Fir	530
Oregon Pine	530
Black Ash	540
Elm	540 – 600
Sweet Chesnut	560
Magnolia	570
Black Gum	590
Philippine Red Luan	590
Oak	600 – 900
Hickory	600 – 930
Pear	610 – 730
Hackberry	620
Maple	620 – 750
Cherry	630 – 900
Walnut	640 – 700
Apple	650 – 850
Locust	670 – 710
Beech	700 – 900
Dogwood	760
Pecan	770
Blue Gum	820
Persimmon	900
East Indian Rosewood	900
Logwood	910
Satinwood	950
Itin	980
African Blackwood	1,080
Black Ironwood	1,420

^Source:^{Engineering Toolbox}

Weight of Root Balls

All trees have root balls – the mass of stringed root system that forms into a ball at the base of the plant.

Whenever possible, you should also add the weight of the tree’s root ball to get a more accurate weight of the tree stump.

This value is essential, especially when planning to use an excavator or machinery to uproot the entire stump.

Here’s a table of the estimated weight of root balls depending on their average diameter at breast height and the size of the root ball itself.

Diameter at Breast Height (inches)	Size of Root Ball (inches)	Weight of Root Ball (lbs)
2 – 2.5	24 – 28	400
2.5 – 3	28 – 32	650
3 – 3.5	32 – 36	850
3.5 – 4	36 – 40	1,200
4 – 4.5	40 – 45	1,500
4.5 – 5	50 – 55	2,500
5 – 5.5	55 – 62	3,000
5.5 – 6	62 – 66	4,000
6 – 7	66 – 72	5,000 – 6,000
7 – 8	72 – 76	6,000
8 – 9	84 – 90	7,000 – 8,000

^Source:^{The Yard Table}

Weight of Tree Stumps by Species

At a glance, here’s a table of the estimated weight in pounds of 1-foot-long tree stumps by species.

Diameter(inches)	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24	26	28
Species	Tree Stump Weight (lbs)
Apple	30	43	59	77	97	120	145	173	203	235
White Ash	26	38	51	67	85	104	126	150	177	205
Basswood	23	33	45	59	74	92	111	132	155	180
Beech	29	42	58	75	95	118	142	169	199	231
Paper Birch	27	39	53	70	88	109	132	157	164	214
Yellow Birch	31	45	61	80	101	124	151	179	210	244
Butternut	25	36	49	64	81	100	121	144	170	197
Black Cherry	25	35	48	63	79	98	119	141	166	192
Chesnut	30	43	59	77	97	120	145	173	203	2352
Cottonwood	27	38	52	68	86	107	129	154	180	209
American Elm	29	42	58	75	95	118	142	169	199	231
Black Gum	25	35	48	63	79	98	119	141	166	192
Red Gum	27	39	53	70	88	109	132	157	164	214
Hackberry	27	39	53	70	88	109	132	157	164	273
Hickory	35	50	68	89	113	140	169	201	236	261
Honey Locust	33	48	65	85	108	133	161	192	225	252
Evergreen Magnolia	32	46	63	82	104	129	156	185	214	217
Red Maple	27	39	53	70	88	109	132	157	164	192
Silver Maple	25	35	48	63	79	98	119	141	166	239
Sugar Maple	31	44	60	78	99	122	148	176	206	282
California Oak	36	51	70	92	116	144	174	207	243	324
Live Oak	41	60	81	106	134	166	200	238	280	269
Red Oak	34	49	67	88	111	137	166	198	232	265
White Oak	34	48	66	86	109	135	163	194	228	261
Pecan	33	48	65	85	108	133	161	192	224	269
Persimmon	34	49	67	88	111	137	166	198	232	162
Yellow Poplar	21	30	40	53	67	83	99	119	150	188
Sassafras	24	34	47	61	78	96	116	138	162	222
Sycamore	28	41	55	72	92	113	137	163	191	248
Black Walnut	32	45	62	81	102	126	153	182	213	250
White Pine	20	28	38	50	64	78	95	113	128	145
Red Spruce	19	27	36	47	60	74	90	106	125	154

^Source:^{U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service sheet “Rope, Knots and Climbing.”}

Written by Lexanne Garcia

Lexanne is a creative writer from Manila who recently discovered that she has a green thumb. At the onset of the pandemic, she started an herb garden where she could get garnishes…

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Calculating the Weight of a Tree Stump: A Quick Guide