There are many reasons you might need to remove a tree – and usually all that’s left is the stump. The question remains – should you remove the stump, or just leave it there and maybe make a nice garden feature of it with some climbing plants and a seat? Let’s dive in and discover the pros and cons to both options – and which one you should choose.
Leave the stump
Leaving the stump is the easy option, as it literally requires no effort on your part. Once the tree is cut down, you just leave the stump alone. Tree stumps can create shelter and habitats for wildlife – although that wildlife can be of both the wanted and the unwanted kind (more about that later). Another benefit is that the tree stump can help prevent topsoil eroding and washing away, by slowing down the flow of water. Large stumps can be difficult to remove too – and by leaving the stump in the ground, you’re saving yourself some expense. Over time, the stump will experience natural decomposition as well.
Remove the stump
Though a tree stump may seem harmless, there are actually many issues with just leaving it where it is. Once the tree has been cut down, the stump will begin a slow process of decay very shortly afterwards. And a rotting stump attracts pests, insects and diseases that you really don’t want in your garden. It will quickly become home to damaging pests such as carpenter ants or termites – and you definitely don’t want those spreading further throughout your yard. In the worst-case scenario, they may even invade your home. Tree stumps can also be home to fungi, rodents, snakes, beetles, wasps and all kinds of unpleasant diseases, all of which will be costly and time-consuming to get rid of. And all of these unwanted invaders can spread to and infect nearby plants.
Tree stumps can also be invasive. Sometimes the tree roots can continue growing even after the top of the tree has been removed. And as we all know, spreading tree roots can be an invisible but serious problem, lifting pavements, cracking pipes and sometimes even invading home foundations. And you may not realise it’s happening until damage has occurred, as you quite reasonably consider the tree you cut down to be dead. As well, new shoots can keep growing around the stump, leaching moisture and nutrients from the soil and other plants.
Tree stumps can be an eyesore too, creating an unsightly focal point in your garden. As well, they can become a tripping hazard to anyone walking in your yard, potentially causing anything from a stubbed toe to a more serious injury. They take up valuable space in your yard, which becomes unusable, and even reduce the kerbside appeal and property value of your home if you decide to sell it. They get in the way when mowing the lawn, and the stump and its roots could potentially damage your mower. Leaving the stump in also prevents (or seriously limits) replacement planting in the same location.
Weighing it up
The benefits of stump removal
- Gives you more space in your yard
- The roots will no longer compete with other plants for growth
- Your area will look better
- Your area will be safer
- Your plants and garden will be healthier
- You can use the woodchips and mulch from the stump on your garden
The downsides of stump removal
- Cost
- The process can be noisy and messy
The benefits of leaving the stump
- It’s cheaper
- The stump can help prevent soil erosion
- It can provide a habitat for wildlife
The downsides of leaving the stump
- Pest, disease and insect infections, which may spread to other areas
- Danger, as it creates a tipping hazard
- Invasive tree roots can cause property damage
- It’s unattractive to look at
- It can reduce property value
- It creates an unusable area of your yard
Clearly, the best option is to remove the stump and leave a blank slate for further landscaping. The downsides of leaving a stump behind can be too devastating, while the benefits you gain from removing a stump are undeniable. And as for the expense of stump removal – when you consider the potential expense of leaving it behind, it’s really a no-brainer.
We recommend that you always remove a tree stump if you can. Grinding the stump down is the best way to deal with all these problems.
The process
There are a few stages to the stump grinding process:
- Step 1: Reviewing and assessing the stump to determine what equipment is necessary to carry out the job.
- Step 2: Clearing the area to prepare for the job.
- Step 3: Carrying out a risk assessment to ensure safety during the process.
- Step 4: Using stump grinding machinery to grind the stump into mulch.
- Step 5: Filling the depression in the ground and raking back the debris, or removing the debris and replacing with additional soil to make sure the ground is level and to avoid trips or falls.
- Step 6: ensuring your garden is left in good order, as the grinding machine spits out a lot of debris during the process.
Can I do the job myself?
Tree stump grinding is another service that’s best left to the professionals. For starters, you need some heavy-duty equipment to do the job, something most home gardeners won’t have access to. Hiring the right machinery is costly, and you still need to know how to use it to perform the job correctly and safely. Stump grinding is not only dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, it also takes a lot of time and patience to get the job done. It’s not really a job for novices. You’re better off getting in touch with professionals such as Heritage Tree Care who will provide all the necessary equipment and fully trained staff, so that you don’t have to worry about anything. We can do the job quickly, effectively and safely, leaving you with a clean site to develop as you want.
How much does stump grinding cost?
Involving specialised equipment and knowledge, stump grinding comes at a cost, which will vary depending on the size and scope of your project. If you have many stumps to grind or access is difficult, the process will be more expensive. But it’s well worth it when you consider the alternatives – leaving the stump to rot and spread disease, or trying to do it yourself. If you have a recent or old stump that needs removal, get in contact with our expert team at Heritage Tree Care – with offices located in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and Redlands, we’ve got all your stump grinding requirements covered.