You may think that when you have a tree removed, the stump is automatically removed as well, however that’s not the case. Unless the stump itself is removed, you’re left with a decision to make: to remove or not to remove?

Your options are: stump grinding, stump removal or leaving the stump to rot. So what are the differences and pros and cons of each?

Stump Grinding

Stump grinding is the most common and fastest method for getting rid of a stump for most homeowners. Stump grinding involves using a specialised piece of machinery called, oddly enough, a stump grinder, which efficiently grinds the remaining stump into a fine, shredded wood chip, down to below ground level. Stump grinders come in a wide variety of sizes that can tackle small trees to very large trees and can be brought onto sites with limited accessibility.

One of the biggest advantages of stump grinding is that you can reclaim the area and prepare it for turf, garden beds or landscaping almost immediately rather than waiting years for the stump to naturally decay.

Stump grinding also eliminates the risk of having a potential tripping hazard or an additional obstacle to mow around and reduces the risk of attracting insects like termites.

Stump grinding doesn’t use any chemicals and there is no waste as the wood chip can be used as mulch so it’s an extremely environmentally friendly option.

Stump Removal

Stump removal involves completely extracting a tree stump as well as its entire root system from the ground to prevent regrowth and completely clear the area. Stump removal is usually done with heavy machinery such as an excavator or bobcat or using manual labour by literally digging it out. This method is far more labour intensive and generally more disruptive to the surrounding landscape, so is often used on building or development sites where this isn’t such a concern, as opposed to comparatively small, residential blocks with limited accessibility, gardens and other structures.

Leaving The Stump

While allowing nature to take its course and leaving a stump to rot may seem like the cheapest and easiest option, there are some drawbacks to be considered. Depending on the size and species of the tree, as well as the climate and surrounding conditions, the process can take a very long time, from several years to more than a decade. Additionally, as the stump starts to decay, it can provide an ideal habitat and food source for insects and other organisms that love to feed on decomposing wood. This can lead to pest infestation which can spread to other plants and trees.

Having a stump in your yard can also be a tripping hazard and an unsightly obstacle to mow and weed around. There’s also the overall appearance of your back yard to consider. An old stump in the middle of your yard isn’t exactly very appealing!

Speak With Your Arborist

If you are having a tree removed and aren’t sure what to do with the remaining stump, ask your Arborist for their advice on whether stump griding is suitable for your property. Like most tree services, it’s best left to the professionals who are fully insured, qualified and experienced – to avoid possible injury and damage to your property and surrounding gardens.

Looking for a stump grinding professional? Speak to the team at Aussie Tree Solutions to discuss our professional stump grinding service today. Let our expert team take the hassle out of your tree care. We provide a full range of services – tree pruning, tree removal, consulting Arborist services, mulch and more! Whatever your tree needs – we’ll get to the root of it!