Trees offer so many environmental benefits in urban areas and beauty to your yard. However, there are certain situations where their removal is necessary. For example, dying, declining, or dead trees can be potentially hazardous and cause some serious damage to you, your property, or the other surrounding plants. Therefore, it’s best to have them removed, primarily for health, safety, and aesthetic purposes. If any tree in your garden is showing visual signs of defects, you need to call an arborist to inspect the state of the three and identify the reason behind the signs of poor health. These professionals are trained in pruning, cutting back, or removing trees. Arborists will assess the possibility of tree removal and if a tree should be removed, they will tackle the problem safely and efficiently.
When a tree is cut down piece by piece to ground level or above, it leaves a stump that once anchored the tree in place. This pesky tree leftover comes with lots of questions about what to do next. Should you remove it or leave it in the ground? Or what about stump grinding? The truth is tree stumps are difficult to remove. When compared to tree removal, removing a stump involves more work. But if you leave it alone, it could start growing and sprouting annoying shoots from its roots, or it may take years to naturally rot and decompose. That being said, it would be best to remove it. Though stump removal is no easy task, it is doable and there are a handful of viable options available. You may be tempted to remove it yourself, but this is easier than done. So, it’s best to leave tree stump removals to the professionals as they will get the job done more quickly and easily using the right techniques and methods.
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Reasons to Remove a Stump
After the heavy lifting of removing a tree, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to leave the sturdy stump sitting there. Here are a few reasons why you should remove tree stumps from your yard:
Unsightly Appeal
The old tree stump dotting your pretty yard is an eyesore for you and your neighbours. Basically, tree stumps turn into a rotten mess, especially when weeds and other plants start growing on them. Plus, such unsightly appeal can lower your property value, even if it is only one tree stump left behind. Therefore, stump removal is an effective way to improve the look of your garden rather quickly and hence increase the value of your property.
Problematic Roots
Tree stumps really take up valuable space in your yard. If you are looking to plant new trees and create a beautiful garden space, tree stumps can really get in the way. Their roots can be problematic and wrap around and crack water pipes and foundations as well as lift pavement. If a root has grown in an already damaged pipe, it can cause the pipe to burst. Hence, stump removal is necessary to protect your home from your tree roots.
Tree Stumps Can Be Hazardous
Tree stumps can be a danger to children, neighbours, or visitors as they present the potential risk of tripping over it or stubbing your toe. Some stumps are obvious, but more often than not, they get camouflaged by grass, weeds, and other plants and hence present a real tripping hazard. Additionally, tree stumps can spread decay and pests into your yard. They can also grow fungi, which is particularly dangerous for small children. Therefore, stump removal is necessary. It will prevent termites from moving in and stop the tree from suckering.
Stump Removal Options
When it comes to stump removal, there are basically three options:
- You can get a stump grinder and remove it yourself
- You can look for a tree service company offering professional tree stump removals;
- You can try and dig out or burn the stump.
If the roots of your tree aren’t too large, you may dig them out yourself. But you can always use the services of a professional stump grinder and remove a stump by grinding it away. Stump grinding and stump removal both have pros and cons. Choosing which one is best for you mostly depends on what you are planning for your landscape.
Essentially, stump grinding is a cheaper and faster solution than removing the stump entirely. It uses special ground saws to shred the stump into wood chips or sawdust. The machine basically grinds the stump to ground level or as low as 12 inches below ground, creating a hole that you can fill with dirt. However, grinding stump away leaves a mess that requires cleanup. Also, there is the possibility of sprouting and root decay.
On the other hand, total stump removal offers an ideal option for getting rid of the old roots and stump if you want to plant another tree. It opens many more possibilities for your yard. Removing a stump entirely involves pulling the whole stump out of the earth using a winch, hydraulic jack, or tractor. This way you remove the risk of sprouting or rotting, and hence there are minimal chances of complications.
