If you have gone through all of the hard work to remove a tree, then you may be looking at the ground wondering how you are going to get rid of the stump. The stump was responsible for anchoring the tree to the ground. Because of all the routes that it includes, it can be incredibly difficult to get rid of. Therefore, what should you do with the stump? Should you remove the stump in one fell swoop? Or, should you grind it up?
Why Should You Remove the Tree Stump in the First Place?
There are several reasons why you should remove the tree stump. First, a decaying tree stump is a popular place for termites and other insects to make their home. If you have a tree stump that is relatively close to your house, then the insects may end up moving from the tree stump to your home, causing serious damage or creating an emergency situation. To prevent this from happening, you should remove the tree stump.
In addition, a decaying tree stump simply isn’t pretty. It can throw off the entire look of your property. As a result, this might also hurt your curb appeal, damaging the value of your property overall.
Furthermore, if the tree stump is present, there are still roots in the ground. If you are mowing the lawn, it is possible that you may end up running over these roots with your lawnmower. This can damage your lawnmower, leading to an expensive repair bill.
Finally, if you are planning on planting flowers are new trees in the area of the stomach, this is simply not going to work. The tree root network is in the ground, preventing new plants from taking hold.
Comparing the Possibility of Grinding a Tree Stump Versus Removing It
Stump grinding and stump removal both come with their benefits and drawbacks. Ultimately, the answer depends on what you’re planning on doing with your landscape in the future.
Of the two processes, stump removal is the more involved process. During stump removal, the bulky tree is going to have to be removed. Then, all of the roots will have to be taken out with it. As a result, this takes a tremendous amount of equipment, time, and energy. The benefit of this process is that you are going to be left with a perfectly clean yard with an endless array of possibilities. On the other hand, there is also going to be a large hole that has to be filled in.
The easier process is stump grinding. With this process, a trained professional can use a machine that will completely shred the stump into nothingness. Grinding a tree stump is an incredibly efficient process, takes a short amount of time, and will leave your yard intact. On the other hand, it is also going to leave the root network in the ground. If the stump is large, there might also be a relatively large chip pile left behind. These chips can be used for mulch for future landscape projects, such as mulching or tree shaping needs.
What About the Root Network?
When you decide to grind up a tree stump, any routes that are visible above the ground are going to be shredded as well. On the other hand, the old tree roots are still going to be spread throughout the ground. In some cases, these tree roots may even extend 12 feet beneath the surface. After the stump has been ground up, the roots are going to naturally decay. Unfortunately, it can take up to a decade for these routes to decay completely. Therefore, this may get in the way of your future projects. That is why it is a good idea to work with trained professionals who can help you figure out what to do with a stump.
Contact Pope Tree Service for Help with Tree Stumps
If you have a tree stump that you are looking to get rid of, this can be a challenging process. You need to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of tree stump removal vs. tree stump grinding. That is where we can help you. At Pope Tree Service, it is our honor to be your one-stop-shop for all of your tree stump needs. We will work with you personally, presenting you with all of your options. Then, we can figure out the best option given your future landscaping desires. Our arborists have a tremendous amount of experience with a wide variety of trees, including tree stump grinding. Therefore, we can help you get the most out of your yard. To learn more about how we can help you with all of your tree care needs, please contact us today for a free quote!