Somehow backing the truck up to a tree stump, gearing it down into 4 Low, hooking a chain between the truck and stump, and tugging it out made me feel like a real man. In hind site, that's really weird. I can't think of a whimpier way to remove a tree stump. No sweat, little mess, no exertion. Just push on the gas a little and out it comes. At least the first two did. The third one (above) actually required some digging, chopping roots with an axe, repositioning the stump with a handy man jack, and then a really good tug with the truck (which left some divots in the asphalt). The noise and commotion even lured two neighbors from their air conditioned homes to come and partake in the manliness (apparently you can feel more manly by just standing on the curb watching such an undertaking and making helpful comments to your neighbor about getting a better angle on it, etc.). I guess there was one little bit of manliness when I picked up that 150lbs of stump and root ball and hurled it into the back of the truck. It could have been right out of a Louis L'Amour book: Dan squatted down and grasped the gnarled stub of a tree - left hand on the dirty roots, right hand around the sappy trunk. In one fluid motion he lifted the massive stump from the dirt and hurled it easily into the back of the truck. One small drop of perspiration made its way down his brow. He wiped the sweat away with the back of his hand, the breeze rustling through his hair, and muscles rippling beneath his shirt. He knew before the day was over he'd have to use them.
