If you have ever removed a tree and left the stump or are planning to eliminate a tree on your property, stump removal and stump grinding are techniques that can be used to reduce unsightly patches of land, safety hazards, and habitats for unwanted critters.
Removing a tree from your landscape can leave damaging effects if it is not done properly. Once the trunk of a tree is cut down, it’s best to remove the stump to eliminate a dangerous liability for people to trip over, a place for new sprouts to grow or a haven for insects. And it becomes an unsightly lawn mowing obstacle.
Having a tree stump in your yard is often displeasing to the eye. Finding a way to create a landscape design around the leftover tree stump can be challenging. Mowing and weed whacking can cause damage to your machines and send sharp pieces of wood ricocheting in all directions. Insects love rotting wood and can easily find a way to make your old tree stump into a nice new nesting place, leaving your yard infested, and invite further infestation in your healthy trees. Removing the stump is usually the best course of action utilizing one of two techniques; stump removal or stump grinding.
Stump Removal
Completing a stump removal without a grinder typically includes digging around the entire stump and all of its roots to loosen the earth away from the tree. This is an extremely labor–intensive process since most tree root balls are approximately 5-10 times the size of the tree. Then equipment such as an excavator or backhoe is chained to the stump to pull it out of the ground. This method leaves a large hole in the landscape that can be dangerous and unsightly. The large equipment used for the process can leave damaging affects to your lawn by creating ruts and tearing up grass.
Stump Grinding
Stump grinding utilizes a machine with hydraulic cylinders that rotate cutting disks to chip away the stump at a very high speed. A stump is typically ground down to about six inches below the surface of the earth which means that insects will not be able to nest. Grinding a tree stump leaves a wood chip mulch to fill the hole or use elsewhere in your landscaping. A stump grinder is a smaller piece of equipment than machinery used for tree stump removal and it will not tear up your lawn or leave unwanted marks on your driveway or walkways.
At Trees Unlimited our certified professionals believe in using the best techniques to accomplish each job. Stump grinding has been a practice we have utilized for many years because it yields the best results for clients. If you are interested in finding out more about stump grinding or ways to improve the health of your trees, please contact us with your questions.
