Trees have many benefits, but sometimes tree removal is a necessary part of landscaping. Whether it’s due to disease, safety concerns, or a need to develop the land — there are many reasons why you might need to remove a tree from your property. However, removing a tree can lead to another problem. You will need to decide what to do with the stump. Depending on the location of the tree, this might not be a problem; however, if the tree stump is near your home, in the middle of your front yard, or in an area that gets a lot of foot traffic, grinding it down might be the best option.
Stump grinding has many benefits. Keep on reading to learn more about how stump grinding is done and the benefits of this outdoor service.
How Does Stump Grinding Work?
Stump grinding is the most effective way to remove a stump from your yard. The process requires a machine called a stump grinder, which consists of a fast-rotating circular blade with very sharp teeth. When your outdoor services company moves the stump grinder blade back and forth over the stump, it grinds the stump into wood chips. The stump is reduced to about 10 centimeters below the ground, and the entire process takes about an hour. The grinder can also be used to eliminate any above-ground roots and some roots directly below the surface. Any remaining roots (embedded deep in the ground) will eventually die off once the stump is fully transformed into chips. To ensure the stump can be efficiently ground into wood chips, it’s important that the grinding only takes place when the stump is completely dry. Once the process is complete, the wood chips can be hauled away or used for mulch in your garden.
Stump grinding is an easy and highly effective way to eliminate stumps, especially when performed by an experienced contractor. Other methods for stump removal involve pulling the stump (and its roots) out of the ground. This is a viable option if you want to avoid creating wood chips; however, it can also leave a massive hole in the middle of your yard. Understandably, most homeowners want to avoid this strategy.
Stump grinding can also be very dangerous, so it’s important that it’s a job exclusively for experienced pros. Operating a professional stump grinder requires extensive experience and training. Hand-held stump grinders can be rented, but oftentimes they’re too small to get the job done effectively. Attempting a DIY job can result in serious injury.
Benefits Of Stump Grinding
Eliminating tree stumps has many benefits and it’s generally a good idea if you’re looking to maintain the health, value, and beauty of your property. If you’re having a tree removed, here are several reasons why you should consider getting rid of the stump too:
1. Your Yard Will Look Better
Let’s face it, tree stumps can be an eyesore — especially if the tree is located in the middle of your yard. Tree stumps can promote an untidy or neglected look. Removing the tree stump can allow you to regain the aesthetic beauty of your yard and increase your property value. Stumps can also take up space. Removing it allows you to increase the usable surface area of your yard.
2. You Can Eliminate A Tripping Hazard
A tree stump can be a major hazard. Your kids can easily trip over it while playing in the yard or visitors who are unfamiliar with the terrain may trip over the stump while visiting in the dark. The last thing you want is someone to hurt themselves on your property, and eliminating tree stumps can prevent this. Stumps can also be highly inconvenient when you’re mowing the lawn, especially if you accidentally hit it with the mower. Removing the stump enables you to cut the grass without having to maneuver around obstacles.
3. It Will Prevent Stump Resprouting
Trees are resilient. In some cases, leaving the stump provides trees with an opportunity to resprout. The last thing you want to do is remove a tree again several years down the road. If you leave the stump, there is a good chance the roots will survive. Stump grinding helps ensure trees won’t regrow because the root system will die once the stump is destroyed. Eliminating the stump makes tree removal a one-and-done project.
4. It Prevents Pest Infestation
What makes a better home for wood-eating insects than an old tree stump? Termites, ants, and other pests will quickly adopt your abandoned stump as their own. This can be particularly concerning if the tree stump is located near your home, as the insects could quickly migrate indoors once they’ve destroyed the stump. Prevent a pest infestation before it begins — remove the stump.
5. It Prevents The Spread Of Disease
Diseased trees can spread illness to other nearby trees. If you removed a tree due to disease and there are other trees in close proximity, it’s possible that the stump could spread disease to its neighbors. Removing stumps helps to keep other trees on your property healthy.
Are There Reasons To Leave A Stump?
While stump removal is almost always the best option, there are a handful of reasons why some homeowners choose to leave the stump. If removing the stump could result in erosion or rainwater management issues, it might make sense to leave it as is. A skilled landscaper or arborist can help you to determine the impact of stump removal on the soil.
Some people also choose to keep tree stumps for sentimental reasons or to provide a habitat for wildlife. While these are valid reasons; however, for most homeowners, we find the disadvantages of leaving a tree stump behind usually outweigh the benefits.
Choosing CFB Outdoors For Stump Grinding Services
Did you know not all tree removal contractors offer stump grinding services? This leaves consumers with the inconvenience of needing to juggle multiple service providers to fully remove a tree and stump. At CFB Outdoors, our team of ISA-certified arborists and municipal specialists are more than capable of removing your trees and grinding down the stumps in the same visit. We’re dependable, and trustworthy, and we own all of our equipment (bucket trucks, chippers, and mulchers), so we can ensure the job is done right. If you need a tree stump removed, give us a call today at 386-774-2056.