If you’ve ever had to remove trees from your property, then you likely understand just how annoying it can be to deal with a leftover stump. Although there are a lot of different ways to remove stumps, one of the most affordable and effective methods is known as stump grinding.
A lot of homeowners aren’t quite sure what to think of professional stump grinding services, which is why we’ve teamed up with the stump grinding draper utah experts at Rent A Monkey to answer the frequently asked questions (FAQs) that a lot of homeowners tend to have.
So if you’re thinking about grinding down a stump on your property but aren’t quite sure where to begin, check out the below sections to see if your ongoing concerns are addressed!
Why Should I Invest In Stump Grinding & Removal?
Although stumps might not initially bother you too much, they’ll eventually impact your yard’s overall aesthetics. Stumps will easily remain visible for at least 20 years, so you shouldn’t expect any type of natural disintegration to occur anytime soon.
It’s also possible for stumps to create new offshoots as the tree attempts to re-grow itself. This is particularly troublesome if your tree was cut down due to pest or disease issues, because the stump can continue to spread these issues throughout your yard. This means that stumps often attract fungi, mold, termites, ants, etc.
It’s also typically annoying to mow around stumps, and above-ground roots can even damage your lawn care equipment. But the good news is that stump grinding and removal services can eliminate all of these issues and protect your property for the long-term future!
How Should I Get Rid Of Tree Stumps?
There are two main options when it comes to stump removal, including:
- Fully Removing The Entire Stump: Tree stump removal ends up costing about ten times more than grinding services, and it often leaves big holes in your yard. You’ll essentially be grabbing the stump and pulling it fully out of the ground, which means that the tree’s roots will also be simultaneously eradicated. One thing that some people forget is that tree roots are naturally attracted toward underground water sources, which means that they could near or wrapped around pipes, foundations and sidewalks.
- Stump Grinding: Stump grinding services use a specialized tool known as a stump grinder, and this tool fully removes a stump from a yard without pulling up underground roots. Stump grinders utilize a vertical saw that moves back and forth, which essentially turns the stump into sawdust or woodchips.
What Exactly Is A Stump Grinder?
Stump grinders are heavy pieces of equipment that feature a spinning steel wheel that’s carbide-tipped and located at the front of the operating system.
Your technician will lower the steel wheel near the edge of the stump and slowly move it from side to side to grind deeper toward the stump’s core. The whole tree stump will eventually be turned into wood chips, and this includes the main roots located directly below the stump.
Why Should Homeowners Choose Stump Grinding Services?
Most homeowners hire out stump grinding services when a tree stump has become an eyesore on their property, and stump grinding typically occurs shortly after professional tree removals. It’s also common for tree stumps to pose safety hazards toward pets and children, which is something that a lot of people want to avoid.
And if you’ve recently moved a tree that had pest or disease issues, stump grinding ensures that the pests or diseases don’t spread throughout your yard. Stump grinding also goes a long way to prevent any inadvertent tree re-growth.
Is It Possible To Rent A Tree Stump Grinder And Do DIY Stump Grinding?
Yes, this is always an option that’s available to homeowners; however, stump grinders are very powerful and dangerous pieces of equipment and should only be operated by people who are familiar with this type of machinery. In many areas, you’ll also need to contact your local utility company prior to grinding a stump due to the possibility of the stump being located near phone or power lines.
It’s also important to note that you might be liable for replacing a stump grinder’s blade when you accidentally hit a rock—and these blades aren’t cheap!
The stump grinders that are available for rent also aren’t professional-grade, which means that they can’t dig deeper than a few inches into the ground. This means that most of your tree’s underground roots will be untouched.
In general, DIY stump grinding simply isn’t recommended due to the many safety hazards and liability issues that homeowners must take into account. Stump grinding is dangerous, noisy and messy, and hiring experienced professionals will always be in you and your property’s best interests!
How Long Does The Stump Grinding Process Typically Take?
When you’re grinding down just one tree stump, the process can take anywhere from about 15 minutes to a few hours.
This all depends upon factors like the stump’s location, the stump’s size, and the removed tree’s overall health.
Does Stump Grinding Remove Tree Roots?
It’s important for homeowners to remember that stump grinding only removes some of a tree’s underground roots. Most stump grinders can reach about 8 inches below the ground’s surface; however, tree root systems often spread far away from a stump and can be pretty extensive.
This means that you’ll likely still have many underground roots after your stump grinding services are completed, which is why you typically can’t replant a tree in the same spot where your old tree used to be.
What Happens To The Wood Chips After Grinding A Stump?
It’s no secret how you’ll end up with a lot of wood chips once you’ve fully grinded down a tree stump, and you can essentially do whatever you want with these excess wood chips.
Many people will use their wood chips as mulch, and others will fill the tree stump’s hole with the wood chips and soil to even out the ground’s grading.
Contact Rent A Monkey When You Need Stump Grinding Services In Draper Utah!
Stump grinding services are often needed in mountainous, deciduous forest areas like Draper Utah, and it’s normal for homeowners to have a lot of questions regarding these complex home improvement services.
Do you still have stump grinding questions that need to be answered? Check out the link at the top of this article and speak directly with the tree removal and stump grinding specialists over at Rent A Monkey to get your concerns fully addressed!
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