4 Reasons Your Property May Need Stump Grinding Services

Reasons for removing a tree from your property are numerous, but what should be done with the stump that’s left behind after the tree is gone? Stumps can be completely removed or ground down, depending on the client’s preference.

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1. Stumps can be a haven for unwanted pests such as ants, termites, and more.

When a stump is left behind, it takes a while for the leftover wood to rot and decompose. The rotting and decomposing process attracts bugs that you don’t want in your yard, such as ants, termites, beetles, and more. They will initially be attracted to the stump but will migrate to other areas of your yard and potentially your house. If they spread to your house, you could find yourself looking at a costly pest control bill, particularly if you end up having to get rid of a termite invasion.

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2. Stumps take up space in your yard that could be used for more functional purposes.

Let’s face it: stumps aren’t pretty. They sit in your yard and take up valuable space, potentially also decreasing your curb appeal as they begin to rot. If it’s a large stump, it is covering space where you could install a new landscape bed or outdoor living space. Even a small stump can create issues, such as when your lawn is being mowed. It becomes yet another obstacle to navigate around and makes the mowing job more difficult.

3. Stumps can be hazardous to people, animals, and lawn maintenance tools.

Anyone walking or running through your lawn could end up tripping over a stump in the lawn. This could prove particularly hazardous to children as well as animals, especially if the stump has already been invaded by insects such as ants that will bite. The insects combined with the hardness of the leftover wood could end up causing serious injuries. Guests tripping and falling because of a stump on your property could also open you up to potential liability issues. When your lawn is being mowed, a stump could cause severe damage to a mower or edger.

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4. Stump grinding is less invasive than stump removal.

Total stump removal is invasive, as it requires digging the entire stump out as well as the roots. For property owners with septic tanks, this could prove to be disastrous as roots may intertwine with the drain field pipes. During the stump grinding process, a trained professional uses a stump grinding machine to reduce the stump to a pile of wood chips. The wood chips can then be used as mulch, making stump grinding an environmentally friendly choice as well. After grinding, the roots will remain in the ground but will eventually decompose.