Don’t get stumped over a pesky tree stump
Stump grinding completely removes a leftover tree stump.
Pros of stump grinding include increased visual appeal, pest prevention, increased safety, and mulch creation.
Cons of stump grinding include high cost, possible root regrowth, soil changes, and limited space.
Stump removal costs between $300 and $500.
If you recently cut down a tree in your yard, you’re likely stumped over what to do about the leftover stump. But then comes the question: Is stump grinding necessary? Stump grinding is a popular method for removing stumps, but it’s only recommended in certain situations. Here are the pros and cons of stump grinding, as well as information on when to grind it, and who to call on for help.
Stump grinding is a popular choice for tree removal because it's quick and efficient—it takes about one hour, according to the stump’s size. You’ll want a pro to grind the stump in case there are utility lines in the ground around the stump or roots.
Grinding is also a viable option for larger stumps and stumps that you can't fully remove. When considering stump grinding vs. stump removal, it's worth noting that grinding is the more budget-friendly option, although it’s important to note that the stump won't remove the tree’s root system, which can damage your home's foundation.
Most trees, with a few hearty exceptions like willows and poplars, can’t grow back because the grinding damage reaches 12 inches below the ground, inhibiting new growth. When finished, you’ll have several tall piles of wood chips you can repurpose as mulch if the tree isn’t diseased.
When you’re weighing whether or not to grind a stump in your yard, it helps to factor in the benefits the landscaping practice can bring to your yard.
Stump grinding leaves behind no visual evidence of a tree, which helps keep your yard free and clear of any lumps or bumps. This is especially important if you plan to grow grass in the tree’s former spot or put other landscaping in place.
Pesky insects and pests are attracted to tree stumps, which can lead to infestation and damage other parts of your yard. Grinding stumps helps reduce this risk and protects your lawn from harmful pests.
A stump that doesn’t stick far out can become a tripping hazard for young kids or unsuspecting pets. Grinding the stump down to nothing helps eliminate potential falls or bumps and bruises.
We love an eco-friendly landscaping practice, and stump grinding helps in that area by providing wood chips that can be used as mulch in other parts of your yard.
Just as there are benefits to stump grinding, there are drawbacks that are worth considering before hiring a stump removal professional. Here are a few to factor into your decision making.
Unfortunately, stump grinding isn’t a DIY job. You’ll need to hire a stump grinding professional for the task, and the average cost is between $300 and $500. You can also rent a stump grinder for an average cost of $270 per day.
Although stump grinding should remove any evidence of a tree, it’s possible that roots can still remain beneath the surface and lead to regrowth. This can be especially frustrating if you paid to have the stump removed and it starts to grow back.
There’s a chance that stump grinding may change your soil’s composition, which can alter the way plants or other landscaping grows in that specific area. If you have plans to grow something in the stump’s place, you may need to wait a beat to see how your soil adapts.
If your tree stump is located in tight quarters or in an area that’s hard to access, the equipment needed to grind your stump may not be able to reach your stump effectively. This can leave you with limited options when it comes to stump removal.
You might take a liking to the cute tree stump in your yard, or perhaps your kids love to play on it. So, is tree stump removal really necessary? Over time, tree stumps pose several problems to the health of your lawn and the safety of your property. Removing the stump can prevent a wide variety of pest and lawn damage. Here are some other potential problems from a leftover stump.
Cutting a tree to a stump sounds like a permanent solution, but new shoots can grow if healthy tree roots remain. Eventually, new trees will grow and take nutrients from the surrounding gardens and yards. And, if the new tree grows long enough, it can produce a multi-trunked tree that is more difficult and expensive to remove than the first stump.
If the tree stump’s roots continue to grow, the root system can damage nearby areas by lifting sidewalks and driveways or cracking the house’s foundation. Tree roots can also fracture underground pipes and disrupt your favorite landscape features like a pristine lawn or hand-stacked stone retaining walls.
Tree stumps and their root systems will rot and decay over time. Fungi or mold that grows on the stump can be dangerous to your family’s health. The rotting root system may also spread disease and infection to other trees or plants in your yard, leaving you with a barren, zombie garden.
A rotting tree stump will invite pests, but even a stump that has yet to start decaying will provide a cozy habitat for termites, ants, beetles, and other insects. Then, you could be stuck with some added extermination costs if the termites and other wood-boring insects make their way from the front-yard stump to the inside of your home.
Kids and pets may love to run around your yard and jump over the stump, but they can be just one short leap away from a broken leg. Stumps can be hazards to adults, too, if you’re walking through the yard at night and trip over them.
Even if you find a tree stump charming, your neighbors might think it unsightly, especially once it begins to rot. Plus, if you removed a large tree from your yard, the stump could take up prime real estate better suited for a seating area, a gazebo, or a flower garden.
Mowing the lawn is already a pain; now imagine maneuvering around a stump when you’re trying to cut the grass. Tree stumps and their root systems can also lead to new shoots that require more of your time to remove.
It takes about four to seven years for the stump to start decaying, but before then, the root system may start growing new shoots on or around the stump. If you removed a tree from your yard, it’s best to hire a local stump removal service to take care of the left behind part of the tree. If you don’t have the budget for both tree and stump removal, you’ll want to remove the stump as soon as possible after felling the tree to prevent damage to your lawn and home.
Hiring a stump grinding pro costs about $150 to $500, depending on its type, size, and condition. While you can attempt to remove a stump yourself, it can be difficult. Hiring a local tree stump removal specialist is the safest way to remove a stump. A professional will fully remove the tree stump and root system to prevent decay from spreading.
Before deciding which method to remove the stump, it's important to know what you want your landscape to look like when the job is complete. Each stump removal technique leaves a different footprint behind. Talk with a professional tree removal company about which method is right for your property.
The next most popular option is manually removing the entire stump and root system. Professionals use heavy machinery and hand labor to pull out the stump and roots. The process is labor intensive and leaves a large hole to fill when complete. However, manual removal is helpful if you want to start your landscape design from scratch.
Burning a tree stump helps to weaken it for easier removal, but it takes longer than grinding it. A pro drills holes into the stump and fills them with a fire starter, such as potassium nitrate, followed by hot water. After a few days, the stump removal specialist will ignite the stump, which will smolder. Once the flames have subsided, the specialist can then remove the weak stump. After, you’ll need to plan to level the lawn after the hole is filled.
Yes, stumps can and will attract termites. They seek the shelter and food a stump provides. Once the termites find the stump, it’s possible they can spread destruction to nearby trees and homes. For this reason and many others, you’ll want to seriously consider removing any stumps in your yard.
Whether it's better to grind or remove a stump depends on your professional tree service’s advice and what you intend for the landscape to look like after removal. Grinding is faster and likely more affordable, but manual removal unearths the root system and leaves the potential for a clean slate for landscape design.
Yes, if you “paint” or brush a freshly cut stump with a specialty herbicide containing glyphosate within five minutes of cutting the fresh surface, the stump will soak up the herbicide and prevent new growth. One application often works, but you might have to re-paint two to four weeks later if you see growth.
The main disadvantage of stump grinding is that it requires use of heavy and dangerous machinery, meaning you should hire a professional to tackle it, increasing the removal cost. Another drawback of stump grinding is that it can cause root decay in the root system left behind. The remaining wood may develop this type of decay, making it difficult to replant a new tree or plant in that spot in the future.
