Reasons Why You Should Opt For Stump Removal Over Stump Grinding After Cutting Down A Tree
Once you cut down a tree in your backyard, the trunk is cut into small logs or hauled away, but the stump and roots remain in the ground. Leaving the stump in the ground not only creates an eyesore in your yard but also poses a safety hazard. Therefore, you should either remove the stump or grind it. Stump grinding only removes the top part of the remaining tree, while stump removal gets rid of the roots as well. Below are reasons why you should opt for stump removal over stump grinding.
Curb the Spread of Fungi
When you cut down a tree and grind the stump, the roots remain in the ground. However, with no leaves to provide food, the roots decay gradually, creating suitable breeding grounds for fungi. Over time, the fungi can spread throughout the yard and infect healthy plants, creating a landscaping crisis.
During stump removal, the arborist gets rid of the tree's remnants and digs out all the roots. Therefore, no tree material is left behind to decay, attract fungi, and infect other trees and plants. Since there is no decomposing material, pests, such as termites and ants, won't invade your yard.
Prevent New Growth From Sprouting
When stump grinding is done incorrectly, multiple tree shoots can sprout where the old tree stood. These shoots compete for nutrients with nearby plants, causing them to appear deficient. Also, the shoots may feed the underlying tree roots that weren't removed, allowing them to spread further into the ground. Stump removal eliminates the entire tree and prevents new growth from sprouting. This allows nearby plants to absorb adequate nutrients from the soil and thrive.
Eliminate Threats Posed by Tree Roots
If you cut down a tree because of its invasive roots, the last thing you need is for sprouts to develop on an old stump. The sprouts feed the roots, causing them to spread and invade underground plumbing pipes, sewer pipes, and septic systems. Roots can also damage landscaping structures, leading to costly restoration. Therefore, protect your underground utilities and landscape by removing all the roots from the old tree.
Prepare Land for Immediate Use
Large roots left behind after stump grinding can hinder land use. You must wait for the roots to decompose before building structures or planting new shrubs in the area. If you don't have the luxury of time, stump removal is an excellent idea. Once you remove the roots and fill up the holes left behind, you can immediately prepare the land for landscaping projects.
Stump removal may be costly and labor-intensive, but it leaves you with a clean slate and allows you to use your yard as you wish. Therefore, contact an arborist for professional stump removal services.
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