STUMP GRINDING FAQS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STUMP REMOVAL

A professional tree company can recommend grinding the stump of a tree that has been removed. Should you choose stump grinding What is the time frame? What are the benefits to removing a stump from your property? Do you think it is a DIY project that you can complete yourself?

The article below answers all your stump grinding questions.

WHAT IS A STUMP GRINDER?

Depending on the model and size, stump grinders can be powerful machines that look a lot like a lawnmower with a circular saw. These machines are designed to be rolled up and ground into small pieces.

STUMP GRINDING: HOW DOES IT WORK?

After a tree is cut down, a stump grinder eats at the stump wood. A stump grinder uses a rotating, powerful blade that cuts through the wood as it turns. The teeth of the blade cut down stump wood into smaller pieces. As the blade reduces the stump to small pieces, the operator moves the blade around the stump.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE WOOD FROM TREE STUMP AFTER GRINDING?

Stump grinding north shore produces many chips of wood. They will be more than you realize, but they can be used on-site as mulch or added to your green waste container. Because you have removed all of the stump volume from the hole, there will be a hole. The wood chips can be tossed into the hole and allowed to decay. Or, you can import soil to fill the hole.

WHAT TYPES OF STUMP GRINDERS ARE AVAILABLE?

There are lightweight grinder models that can be used for smaller jobs as well as powerful grinders that can handle large stumps. There are many types of stump grinders:

• These small, lightweight, hand-guided, walk behind, or “handlebar” grinders can be used for manual, semi-automatic, and automatic grinding. Because of their small size, they can be easily stuffed into the back of a truck.
• Rear-hitch and wheeled stump grinders are easily attached to a trailer or truck for transport. They can then be uncoupled at work and steered into position.
• Riding machines can be controlled from a chair.
• Skid stump cutters are equipped with continuous track treads that look like a tank. They can be driven either from behind or by an operator sitting atop. These treads are able to grip large areas of ground and can be used in places where traditional wheels would cause soil or turf to churn.
• The stump grinder attachment is an attachment that can be attached to a skid steer. It will be controlled by the same arms as its bucket or trenching attachments.

Stump grinders, like most powerful equipment are made specifically for this purpose.

IS A STUMP GRINDER THE SAME THING AS A STUMP REMOVER.

Stump removers are different than stump grinders . A stump remover, which is auger-like, bores into the stump from above and removes all wood and anchoring roots.

CAN I RENTE A STUMP GRINDER

The stump grinders available to homeowners for rent will be smaller than professional models and more powerful.

DIY = DO NOT INJURE YOURSELF 

Stump-grinders are usually used by professionals like tree-care specialists. The risk of injury is high with any heavy and powerful tool. Before they attempt to grind a stump, DIY homeowners need to be confident in their abilities.

Operators need protective gear to keep them safe from noise and flying debris. Not only can debris be made of sharp wood pieces, but any other materials that may be hidden in the ground, such as old fence posts, old pipes, bricks, tiles, glass, nails or tools, are all acceptable.

Insurance is also available for professional arborists and tree-removal firms to cover accidental damages to property caused by tree removal or stump grinding. DIY-ers should be aware of the possibility and ensure they have insurance that covers any damage to their property and those of their neighbors.

IS RENTING A STUMPGRINDER VALUEABLE?

Renting a small, lightweight grinder will require more effort and time. However, a rental grinder may not be able to handle your stump. As anyone who has rented machinery will tell you, it is not always possible to guarantee the equipment’s safety or functionality.

WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER, IF I DESIRE TO RENTE A STUMP GRINDER

You might consider renting a stump grinder if you are considering DIYing your tree stump.

• To transport the vehicle to and from the rental facility
• It can be powered by gas
• You can use personal safety gear
• The ability to lift, move and unload the grinder with strength
• You need to be strong to move the grinder
• Protect the ground with materials
• Material or screen to prevent flying debris
• Hidden debris could cause damage to the rental grinder’s teeth.
• Clean up and disposal of debris
• Insurance coverage for homeowners’ liability

Compared to the cost and time it will take to remove your stump, you might find that hiring a professional is a better option. Our team is experienced, efficient, and fast. We have professional equipment and a skilled crew. We will make wood chip mulch for your project and clean up after it.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO REMOVE A TREE WITHOUT REMOVING A STUMP?

Tree-removers cannot cut down a tree flush with the ground. There will always be a stump.

DO TREE STUMPS NEED TO BE REMOVED

You can make that decision. However, you might want to know more about what to do if the stump isn’t removed after you have removed your tree.

Most homeowners don’t know how noticeable a stump left over from a tree removal will be, even if their garden is well-maintained. By grinding out the stump you can create a new landscape.

It chews stump wood below ground level so a stump grinding machine ensures that your stump doesn’t become a new tree stump with suckering growth. This is often the best argument to stump grinding. Leaving a stump in place can lead to repeated sucker pruning which offers little satisfaction.

Although suckering sprouts can be a natural reaction by a tree to a cut trunk, they are not useful and will not make a new healthy tree. Instead, you will have many sprouts that become branches and need to be removed until the tree runs out of energy. This can be a tedious process.

NOTE: Coppicing refers to an ancient practice in which trees or woodland trunks are reduced to the ground and new plants are encouraged from these stumps. The species of a tree determines how long the new, sprouting wood will grow until it is harvested for woodworking, fencing, or firewood. These cycles of growth, harvesting and regrowth can last for many decades on a healthy tree. This is unlikely to be a problem in your yard.

It doesn’t have to be taken out every time. But, ask yourself whether you would rather look at the stump for many years or manage its sucking growth.

A stump can be an eyesore depending on its size, location and height. It may also pose a safety hazard for tripping hazards. It can attract insects, spread fungal diseases to nearby trees, and create soft, sunken areas in the surrounding garden or lawn as it decays.

A stump, on the other hand can be part of a unique garden design. It can be used as a base for potted plants and sculptures.

CAN I BUILD OVER A LANDSCAPE WHERE A STUMP WAS GROUNDED OUT?

It is important to consider whether you intend to build on the stump or add a patio/paving. A tree stump, which is wood, is an organic material and will eventually decompose. It is not a solid base material for construction and foundations, feetings or rigid materials can move over time.

Even if you have removed the stump, any root or trunk material below ground could cause decay and settle and damage your construction. This is why you will need to remove all roots and stumps and fill the hole with native soil. Then, compact the soil to the required level.

Is there a situation where a stump cannot be found?

The stumps of most easily accessible trees can be ground out. Sometimes, a stump must be removed because it is unsafe or blocks access. However, stump removal can be complicated or impossible in certain situations.

• Trees that are difficult to reach or in areas where equipment is too heavy or restricted may not be suitable for stump grinding
• If you have a stump that isn’t easily removed by grinding, it can be ground first, and then extracted with an excavator or a skid steer. This adds cost, but could be the best way to go.
• Trees that have been planted in small, hardscape-like planting holes may leave behind a stump that cannot be removed without causing damage to the surrounding materials. This could be expensive or even impossible.
• If a stump of a tree is ground out, it could cause damage to the root systems and other valuable plants .
• Because of the possibility of damage to foundations or footings or underground utilities or pipes, it may be difficult to grind out stumps near buildings.

Before you start to grind a stump, it is a good idea to verify for any hidden liabilities. This is especially important if your goal is to DIY.

What are the Alternatives to a TREE STUMP?

You may be able remove a small stump with hand tools. A stump that has a few feet of trunk still on it is useful as a lever to loosen the trunk. To expose the roots of the stump’s roots, you will first need to use a shovel and pick axe. Once you have found the roots, gravity and your own body weight can be used to move the stump. You can use loppers and a pruning saw to remove large roots and free the trunk. Although this is physically strenuous work, it is possible.

Most likely, you’ve seen bottles of chemical stun remover in your local hardware or nursery. These products, which are usually made from potassium nitrate and speed up wood decay, work by speeding it up. These products require you to drill holes in your stump and fill them with stump killer. Once the stump is filled, wait for it to dry.

Although potassium nitrate doesn’t cause any harm, it can cause skin and eye irritations.

A third way to remove stumps is by putting kerosene on the stump and setting it ablaze. Please don’t think that flaming stumps are a good use for time or resources.

If you need a stump removed

We are available to help you. We will assess your situation and provide you with an estimate on the cost of removing the stump. It may surprise you how affordable it is. Most stump removal takes only a few hours, even for large stumps.

When we remove trees, our stump removal service is always offered. We also explain the benefits of professional stump removal and the benefits of tree-stump Mulch for your garden.