When you have a stump left from a cut down or fallen tree it will remain there for a very long time before decomposing or it can even start to grow again from the stump left in the ground. So no matter if you are just wanting to remove the unsightly stump or you are trying to avoid a new tree growing in its place the stump and the roots need to be removed. This is a large task as the roots can sometimes grow to be four to 10 times the size the tree was.
Removing the stump will require skill and stump removal equipment. The stump above the ground will be removed as well as the roots that are attached usually leaving a very large hole in its place.