One dilemma homeowners face deciding whether to go for stump grinding or stump removal before they plant a new tree. A typical tree service offers both stump grinding and removal.
Here, we explore the difference between grinding the stump and removing it, the process, and the cost.
Stump Grinding Vs. Stump Removal – Process and Cost
Stum grinding entails excavating the whole stump in the yard with its roots intact. A stump grinder is deployed to grind out the stump in most cases, leaving behind sawdust residue mechanically. The good thing with this method is that the stump is ground down to the desired height.
It can be one inch beneath the soil level or as low as 18 inches underground. The residue mixes evenly with the soil, leveling the ground and eliminating the need for an additional filling. If the stump has an infection like honey fungus, which can destroy the roots of your perennial plants, it’s advisable to dispose of the sawdust.
Quite the opposite of grinding stumps, stump removal is a process that requires unusual amounts of force. It involves pulling out the stump from the ground using high-powered equipment. Some people prefer stump grinding over a removal service for various reasons. It’s easier to execute and uses efficient tools to complete the job.
Secondly, it eliminates both the stump and the roots. So you are assured there’s zero chance of tree regrowth. However, the whole process is messy and expensive than grinding.
Is It Better To Grind A Stump Or Remove It?
Both stump removal and grinding stump have their pros and cons. Which route you take depends on the plans you have for the landscape. Stump removal is more intensive than grinding. The process involves pulling out the bulk stump then digging out all tree’s roots.
A single job takes time and requires powerful equipment. The upside is you’re left with a clean landscape after the trunk or decay stump is removed. What’s not great, though, is typical removals leave huge and unsightly holes in the soil.
On the other hand, grinding stumps is less intensive. Arborists use a stump grinder to shred the stump down into woodchips. The process is also more efficient than stump removal. The only concern is it does leave behind tree roots. If the stump is huge, you can expect a huge pile of wood chips.
You can use the chip piles as mulch for your garden plants.
Stump removal costs anywhere from $370 to $700 per stump. The average cost of removing a stump is $75 to $400 per stump. The tree’s age, topology, and roots all determine the final cost. A difficult stump could take more time and cost more.
Why Remove a Tree Stump from the Yard?
Creepy pests are one of the reasons homeowners remove tree stumps. Other reasons you might want to get rid of a trunk include:
- A decaying stump makes the yard unsightly or affects your property value
- The exact spot where the stump sits is difficult to mow
- The stump becomes a liability and a safety issue
- Possibility of unwanted tree growth from the left behind stump
- Stump and their roots stand in the way of planting new trees
Should A Tree Stump Be Left in the Ground?
After being separated from a cut-down tree, the stump begins to decay slowly. The rotting stump may harbor gnawing pests and attract termites, carpenter ants, or termites.
You can let the stump rot with time. However, critters that come along with the process can spread to other trees in your yard and infest your home. Grinding the stump down is the best way to avoid pest issues and a home invasion.
Benefits Of Stump Grinding Over Removal
No Deep Extraction
Tree stump removal involves digging into the soil with a piece of heavy-duty equipment to extract the leftover tree and roots that are potentially buried. Using a cutting-edge stump grinder is less intensive and allows the tree service to shave the left behind stump down until it’s no longer visible.
Safe And Efficient
Stump removal is usually an invasive process that requires heavy equipment. There’s a greater risk of someone being hurt in the process. On the other hand, grinding the sump is much safer and can be done efficiently. This reduces the risk of bodily harm and damage to your property.
Stump Grinding Is Comprehensive
While the industry standard for stump grinding is to do until you can’t see the trunk, technicians can ground a stump several inches into the ground. How far the grinding goes depends on the stump size and your property’s needs. Either way, a professional can eliminate the unwanted stump without leaving a gaping hole on the ground.
Takes Care Of The Roots
You might think that stump grinding would allow a cut tree to sprout again as its roots stay underground. That’s not the case. By grinding the stump down to the ground, we eliminate any chance that an unwanted tree will re-grow. The leftover roots will decay with time.
Leaves No Room For Pests
Termites and other gnawing insects are easily attracted by deadwood. So after the stump grinding process, our team removes sawdust and dispose of lingering wood that pests could use to make their nest.
Contact A Profesional Tree Service Experts
Grinding the sump of a left-behind tree is a job that requires skill and experience. Using the latest stump grinder, the professionals at Ironwood Earthcare can grind the stump of a dead tree or other tree stumps that have become an eyesore. We have enough labor of grinding the sump of all your cut trees. Best of all, we use the safest method.
Call 303-366-3020 for a free estimate of our removal, stump grinding, and other lawn care services.
