Eliminating the stumps in your yard is very important. Aside from improving the aesthetics of your home, it also ensures the safety of your family and neighbors. But if it’s your first time removing these stumps, you might feel a bit confused as to which method to employ. Stump removal and stump grinding are two very common techniques. Which one is the right fit for your yard?
Before we discuss the pros and cons of each option, we need to talk about why excavating tree stumps are necessary. When it comes to tree maintenance, eliminating the stumps in your yard is one of the most important aspects of it. This should be executed carefully because it ensures the health of the other plants in your yard.
Leaving stumps unattended will generate growth of smaller trees around it. These trees will then prove costly to eliminate if left for too long. The trees also strip other surrounding plants of their nutrients, causing your plants to wither or die.
Stumps also pose various health and safety risks to the people around them. These stumps are potential hazards especially if there are children who love to run around in your yard. People may trip and fall over these stumps, leading to some serious injuries. Stumps also rot over time, creating a health hazard for you and your family.
Stumps attract pests like carpenter ants, beetles, and termites as they decay. These pests can pose an environmental concern for other trees and your home. The untreated stump may also harbor diseases or fungi which puts other plants at risk.
While a tree improves the value of your home, a stump creates the opposite effect. Overall, a stump ruins the aesthetic of your home, creating an eyesore that distracts from the beauty of your property.
Stump Grinding Pros and Cons
Stump grinding is an intricate process that excavates the stump of the tree without removing the root. A stump grinder is used to mechanically grind out the stump, leading fine sawdust as a residue. The advantage of tree stump grinding is that the stump is ground down to your desired height. The stump can be ground to be just one inch below the soil level. It can also be reduced to as low as 12 inches underground, depending on your preference.
Because the stump is ground, it eventually mixes with the soil. This levels the ground and eliminates the need for extra filling. Stump grinding is great because it is faster, it is not labor-intensive, and it is environment-friendly. It does not leave a gaping hole in the ground afterward.
However, it has one major disadvantage. When it comes to stump grinding, there is always a possibility of the remaining roots eventually sprouting.
Stump Removal Pros and Cons
Stump removal involves pulling the stump from the ground. Normally, this requires the use of high power machines. The advantage of stump removal is that it completely eliminates the stump and the roots. Replanting is therefore easier. There are no health hazards and no possibility of the roots growing back.
This method, however, is time-intensive. It also creates a large hole in the ground afterward, which will have to be filled.
Contact Joel’s Pro Tree Service today and learn more about your options.