What to Do After Stump Grinding: Tree Planting and More

Once the sawdust settles, you may wonder what to do after stump grinding to ensure your yard is healthy and lush. Although the stump is gone, there are still steps to take before you can utilize the space. Learning what to do after stump grinding will help you prepare your yard properly and ensure your new tree or plants flourish.

Why Do I Have to Take Action After Stump Grinding?

Whether you rent a stump grinder or hire an expert to grind your stump for you, you are going to have a pile of leftovers. Stump grinding digs up to 10 inches into the ground to remove the root mass so the tree can’t regrow. In many cases, this method leaves you with a hole in your yard that you can’t just sprinkle with grass seed. 

Stump grinding won’t leave a hole but rather a mound of dirt and wood chips. In that case, you will need to decide if you want to level out the space and what to do with the leftovers. Some stump grinder companies will haul away the grindings (dust, wood chips, and other tree matter), but it’ll likely cost an additional fee. 

How to Clean Up Stump Debris

First, you need to clean up the stump debris from the grinding project. Start with these cleaning steps before you choose a destiny for the new open space:

• Pull out any visible roots: Stump grinding often leaves visible smaller roots in the depression. While those roots aren’t likely to cause any problems, it’s better to remove them, especially if you plan on filling the area with sod or grass. You should be able to pull them out by hand or cut them away with shears.

• Clean the wood chips out of your lawn: Rake or pick out the surrounding wood chips from the grass. It’s not a good idea to leave the chips in your lawn where they could cause grass growth problems or get caught in your mower.

• Clear out the hole: If a lot of grindings were left in the hole, clear away the debris before. Set the grindings aside in buckets, on a tarp, or in a wheelbarrow for later use.

• Fill the stump hole with fresh soil: Use fresh ground soil to patch the hole left by the stump grinding. Fill it until it’s roughly level with the current ground if you plan on installing sod or a new landscaping piece. If you plan on planting a bush or another tree, add a small layer of soil to the bottom of the hole.

• Level the area: In some cases, stump grinding doesn’t leave a hole but rather a mound. Level off the mound and dig it out if you plan to plant new growth.

How to Use Your Leftover Stump Grindings

We don’t recommend leaving leftover stump grindings in the ground because they could cause nitrogen issues in the soil and inhibit the growth of grass or other plants. Instead, here’s how to use your leftover stump grindings:

• Put a layer in the bottom of the stump hole: A single layer of grindings isn’t harmful to surrounding plants as long as you cover it with a hefty layer of soil on top. That saves on soil use when you’re leveling out the hole.

• Using grindings as mulch: Grindings already have a lot in common with mulch, so they work well as a substitution for store-bought mulch. Put them on top of soil in areas where you don’t want weeds to grow, such as around bushes and trees, spread out in flower beds, or bordering pavers and fences.

How to Plant Grass After Stump Grinding

Stump grinding only rids the visible portion of the tree stump; it does not remove the tree's root system. The roots are left behind and will eventually decompose. Stump removal makes repurposing space for other plants or even a new tree easier.

One good option after stump grinding if you did not have the entire stump removed is to plant grass. With the hole filled with healthy soil, you have two choices for planting grass: 

• Seed for new grass: Sow grass seed to promote healthy grass growth. Make sure to add about 1/4 inch of topsoil over the seeds to protect them. Gently water afterward. 

• Lay a layer of sod in the hole: You can buy a small amount of sod that matches your current lawn, then cut it to fit the gap that the stump left. Level carefully, then fertilize and water afterware to encourage growth. 

How to Plant Trees After Stump Removal

You can hire a stump removal service near you to remove the stump so you can plant a new shrub or tree nearby. In some cases, you can replant in the same spot, but you still need to wait for deep roots to decompose before you do. Here is how to plant trees after stump removal:

1. Consult an Arborist

Before you start digging, it’s best to consult an arborist near you to determine if you should replant in the same location and what species of tree you should plant. In most cases, it’s best to plant a tree nearby rather than exactly where the stump was removed.

If the first tree had to be cut down due to disease, pathogens can still be in the soil and cause health issues for your new tree. Also, although the stump and roots were removed, any deeper tree roots left behind could keep a new tree from having adequate space to grow.

An arborist can provide the information you need to ensure your new tree has prime growing conditions to be healthy.

2. Give It Some Time

You are probably eager to plant a new tree, but if possible, it’s best to wait awhile before you do. Even if you plant a tree nearby, roots from the tree that was removed can still be intact further underground. Giving them time to decompose will allow more room for your new tree to root. 

Also, the sawdust from grinding the stump down can alter the soil’s balance. So, waiting will give the soil time to replenish its nutrients. Another tip is to plant the tree in the right season to ensure it thrives.

3. Plant the Tree Away From the Original Spot

If you plant your new tree further away from where the stump was removed, you may not have to wait as long to plant. Roots can take months to years to decompose, so opting for a spot away from the original tree can prevent issues with your new tree. Ideally, you should plant at least six to eight feet away.

4. Choose a Tree Species That Will Flourish

When consulting the arborist, make sure to ask what type of tree will do best before choosing one. You may want to replant the same type of tree, but if the climate isn’t suited for that species, it could make sense to opt for a different species.

Consider your climate, soil conditions, and the location of the new tree to help determine which type is best.

5. Dig a Large Enough Hole

When planting a tree, it’s essential that you dig a hole that is the correct size. In general, it needs to be approximately three times wider than the pot it is in. Don’t dig the hole too deep, either. The top of the root ball should be level with the topsoil.

You also want to break up the soil around the hole’s edges. Otherwise, it may be too compacted and will make it difficult for the tree to grow.

6. Plant the Tree

Remove the tree from the pot and the fabric wrapping if it has it. Depending on the tree, you may have to loosen the roots if they are bound together in the pot. Saturate the root ball with water before you plant. Refill the hole with soil. You may need to add more topsoil as it settles.

7. Water Thoroughly

Water the tree thoroughly after planting to ensure it stays hydrated. Most newly planted trees need water daily for 1-2 weeks. Make sure to water according to the specific needs of the species of tree you plant. Check the care tag to provide proper care and prevent over or underwatering.

Other Landscaping Ideas After Stump Grinding

Although planting a tree has many benefits, it's not your only option. You can always just reseed the area or consider one of these ideas to freshen up your lawn:

• Plant a container flower bed: If you are wondering what to do after stump grinding that will make your yard beautiful and beneficial to birds and insects, then make a container garden with various types of flowers. Do not plant directly into the ground if any chemicals were used to remove the stump. Instead, utilize containers to ensure your flowers survive. Remember to choose flowers that will thrive in that area of the yard.

• Create a zen garden: Do something unique and dedicate the space to a zen garden. Zen gardens typically contain rocks, sand, gravel, and wood, so they are known as dry gardens. Decorate with lanterns, statues, and a few green foliage plants such as moss, ferns, or bonsai trees.

• Install a water fountain: If you have the stump removed, you can install a whimsical water fountain once the fill dirt settles. There are quite a few different types to choose from, and the cost of an outdoor water fountain ranges anywhere from $150 to $11,000.

• Decorate with a bird bath and feeders: Why not help out your feathered friends and pick out a pretty bird bath to add decor to your lawn? There are many different types and styles of bird baths to choose from, such as concrete, metal, plastic, ceramic, stone, and more. Add some bird feeders while you're at it for a perfect habitat for your backyard birds.