Tree removal can be a pain, especially if you're dealing with a pretty sizeable one. You have to trim branches and remove them from the area, cut the tree trunk down to size — tasks that can be helped ...

Step 2: Start digging around the stump until you hit a root. If it's thin enough, you can just cut right through it with the shovel. If it's too big for that (like 1/4") cut it with the mattox. Repeat ...