So, you had a tree on your property that you decided to get cut down for whatever reason, maybe it was too close to your home or maybe it had become diseased and became a risk to you and your family's safety. Whatever the reason may be, the tree is no more and now you are left with an unsightly stump and its roots that you have to deal with but what are your options?
We're here to help you find out!
Stump Removal
Well, when it comes to tree stump removal, you have two choices. The first is to get it 'removed', which involves heavy machinery (usually a Bobcat) and a whole lot of mess if the tree's roots have spread right across your property. Here, the tree stump along with all of its roots are dug out of the ground a taken away. The second and most recommended option is 'grinding', which is much more manageable and involves using a grinder to shave the stump until it is completely gone. Unlike removal, tree stump grinding only focuses on the stump itself and leaves the roots where they are.
How far can you grind a stump?
If grinding a tree stump leaves the roots in the ground, while the stump itself if taken away, you may be wondering if a hole is going to be left where it was. The answer to that question is yes but it all depends on how far you decide to grind the stump. Some machines can grind stumps down to as much as 18 inches deep, however, professional like ourselves here at Taylor Total Weed Control stick to the industry standard where the stump is ground until there is no more stump.
What happens to roots after grinding?
If regular stump removal works to remove the stump AND its roots but grinding only targets the stump, what happens to the roots? Can they resprout? This is a common question asked by many homeowners who are looking to get a tree stump removed. The answer is that no, roots cannot resprout after the stump has been ground down. What happens to the roots is that they will slowly start to deteriorate over time. This may cause some people to panic and think that they'll have a gaping sinkhole in the ground when the roots die off but this isn't something to worry about. The way that roots decompose will not leave any sort of vacuum so to speak and will die off into the surrounding soil. This process is also a very gradual one that can take up to a few dozen years, so there shouldn't be any immediate concerns.
Replanting a tree
Some homeowners may be thinking about replanting a tree where there old one was. This is possible but is not recommended due to the following reasons:
- Remaining roots from the previous tree makes it difficult for new roots to establish due to space
- Decomposing roots alter the acidity of the soil, making new roots harder to grow
- Certain trees such as walnut trees secrete a toxin into the soil which prevents other plants from taking root
If you are desperate to replace your once beloved tree with some new foliage, you are more than able to do so, however, we recommend getting the tree stump and its roots removed rather than grinding down the stump as this gives your new plant a better chance of being established and growing. Once this has been done, you should then focus on getting the soil's acidity restored.
Professional Tree Stump Treatment
If you have a tree stump on your property that you would like to get removed by professionals, then why not get in touch with Taylor Total Weed Control? We provide a highly effective grinding service that ensures your stump is removed properly and efficiently. Learn more about how we can help below:
Tree Stump Removal >
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If you are wondering why you should get your tree stump removed, you can find out here. Don't miss an update - be sure to follow Taylor Total Weed Control on Facebook and Twitter!
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