After you have a tree removed from your property, you are still left with the stump to deal with. Some homeowners may want to keep the tree stump as part of their landscaping, but most want the stump removed as well. Tree stumps can be eyesores and unsafe when left after a tree removal. Old tree stumps that have been left behind from prior tree work can be a attractive nesting area for termites. Tree stumps also can have root systems that extend far beyond the base of the tree that can be tripping hazards, damage lawn mowers, and have the potential to regrow.
How Does Stump Grinding Work?
A stump grinder is a wheeled or tracked machine that has a large cutting wheel that spins sharp teeth across the stump. The teeth grind away at the tree stump while the rotating cutting wheel rips into the wood as it turns. The stump grinder’s teeth cut the wood into small pieces and reduces the stump to wood chips and mulch. The tree service crew member sweeps the stump grinder blade over the entire surface of the stump until the stump is reduced to wood chips and will go well below ground level, up to 8 inches.
Why Should I Have a Stump Removed?
If you have an old tree stump on your property, consider having Taylor Expert Arborists remove it for you. We can help you improve your landscape and keep your lawn safe for walking and playing. Here are five key reasons to have that old tree stump ground out:
- Up Your Curb Appeal: Stumps can be eyesores and detract from the appearance of your landscape or yard. Removing the stump can enhance the overall look of your property.
- Safety: Stumps left in the ground can pose safety hazards, especially if they are hidden by grass or other vegetation. They can cause tripping hazards for people walking or playing in the area, as well as damage lawnmowers and other lawn care equipment.
- Prevent Pests: Stumps left behind can attract pests such as termites, ants, beetles, and other wood-boring insects. These pests can eventually spread to nearby trees or structures on your property, causing further damage.
- Prevent Regrowth: Some tree species have the ability to sprout new growth from the stump or roots left in the ground. Grinding the stump eliminates the possibility of new shoots emerging and saves you from dealing with potential regrowth issues.
- Gain Some Space: Removing the stump frees up space in your yard, allowing you to utilize the area for other landscaping purposes such as planting new trees, installing a garden, or expanding outdoor living spaces.
How Do I Get an Estimate for Stump Grinding?
Contact Taylor Expert Arborists at the phone number, email, or the link below to request an estimate. Taylor Expert Arborists always provides free quotes in writing and includes the stump removal cost based on the size and number of stumps removed, and the cost of debris clean up. We have a wide range of stump grinding equipment and safety equipment to properly perform any stump grinding or removal services necessary, and we always take into account accessibility and property preservation when bringing in equipment.
Taylor Expert Arborists always provides its customers with an easy-to-read written contract that protects the homeowner and tree service, spelling out pricing, payment terms, and everything that is included with the work.
I’ve Hired Taylor Expert Arborists, Now What?
So, you’ve made the smart decision to hire Taylor Expert Arborists to perform your stump grinding services, now how do you prepare for the stump to be ground out?
- Have Underground Utilities Marked. If your stump grinding service might interfere with underground utilities, call New Jersey Once Source at 811 so the utility companies can identify and mark the locations of underground utilities such as gas lines, water pipes, and electrical cables. Taylor Expert Arborists can also schedule a mark-out for you if necessary. This information will help avoid accidentally damaging utility lines during excavation or stump removal.
- Communicate with Your Neighbors: If the stump removal may impact neighboring homeowners or if there are shared boundaries, inform your neighbors about the upcoming work. Discuss any concerns they may have and arrange access to their property if necessary.
- Clear the Work Area: Remove any obstacles or obstructions near the stump, such as vehicles, outdoor furniture, or garden decorations. Clearing the area around the tree will give the tree removal company ample space to work and maneuver equipment safely.
- Be Available for Communication: Ensure that you or another responsible person will be available on your property during the stump removal process to answer any questions, provide access to the property, and address any unexpected issues that may arise with the tree service company.
- Keep Pets and Children Inside: Keep pets and children indoors or away from the work area during stump removal to ensure their safety. Loud noises, heavy equipment, and flying wood chips can be frightening or dangerous for animals and young children.
- Follow the Safety Guidelines: Follow any safety guidelines or instructions provided by the tree removal company to ensure the safety of everyone involved. You must stay clear of the work area! If you want to watch the tree removal service, you may be required to wear the appropriate safety gear and following any temporary access or traffic control measures.
All homeowners having stump removal services performed should take these steps to prepare their property for stump removal. Doing so can help facilitate a smooth and successful process while minimizing risks to property and tree service company personnel.
What Do I Do With All These Wood Chips?
Whether you are having a large stump or a small stump removed, stump grinding always results in a lot of wood chips! Taylor Expert Arborists can clean up and haul away the wood chips for you, or if you prefer, you can spread the wood chips to surrounding areas of your lawn to use as mulch. Since you’ll have a hole where the tree stump once was, you can also have us fill the hole with chips to decay, or fill the hole with topsoil for a future planting.
Can I Plant A New Tree Over the Ground Out Stump?
It’s not the best idea to plant a new tree in the same place as a tree that was removed or in the hole where a stump was ground out or removed. You can, however, plant a new tree near the stump location of the old tree. Aim for an area that is about six to eight feet away from the old tree stump location.
If you must plant a new tree in the old stump location, take the time to make the old planting site new again.
- What Was the Old Tree’s Health? If there was previously a tree that was diseased in that spot, have the experts at Taylor Expert Arborists let you know what affected the tree. Then, have Taylor Expert Arborists recommend a new tree that won’t be susceptible to the same disease.
- Take Your Time. The root system of the removed stump will slowly decompose over time, making it easier to prepare the site. If possible, wait a year or more before planting the new tree.
- Prepare the Site. The planting location should feel like new for the new young tree. Try to remove all of the sawdust and wood chips from the hole, cut out as many roots as you can and add topsoil to the hole before placing the new tree.
Taylor Expert Arborists are hard-working tree care experts with years of experience, and we grind and remove stumps in the safest way possible. We are family-owned and offer residential, commercial, and municipal tree trimming and pruning services, tree removal services, tree maintenance, stump grinding and stump removal, cabling and bracing services, tree health assessments, tree risk assessments, and emergency services. Taylor Expert Arborists are members of the New Jersey ISA and the New Jersey Society of Licensed Tree Experts.
Contact Us
We provide FREE consultations to all our clients! Taylor Expert Arborists always provides its customers with an easy-to-read written contract that protects the homeowner and tree service, spelling out pricing, payment terms, and everything that is included with the work.
