There could be any number of reasons why you want to get rid of a tree stump, from aesthetics to safety issues or the fact that stumps can host pests such as wasps, ants, and rodents, or might increase the chance of disease spread to other trees. Equally, a tree stump may be taking up too much room in your outdoor space, making part of a garden, lawn, or other area unusable.
If you have a tree stump that you do not want to be there, you will need to consider its location and size, as well as the costs involved. There are just a couple of options available, which we look at here:
Tree Stump Removal
This is by far the more intrusive option and means pulling a tree stump out of the soil along with its roots. For this process, a digger/excavator, hydraulic winch, or similar equipment is typically used to overpower the root system. With this form of tree stump removal, the factors to consider include:
- Full removal of the stump, with only some roots remaining which could still spark problems in the future by rotting or resprouting.
- The resulting hole will require filling in with subsoil and topsoil.
- If a tree has been killed by root disease, full removal minimises the chances of the disease e.g., honey fungus, spreading to other plants.
- Excavating will pull on the root system which can in turn damage underground services and structures such as phone lines, fibre optics, water, gas, electricity and drains metres away from the stump being pulled.
- Costs involved in the disposal of the excavated stump can be high as waste companies deem them as hazardous waste due to the soil and wood being mixed.
- Heavier, larger machinery is required and there is far more mess and disturbance to the area surrounding the stump.
Tree Stump Grinding
Grinding tree stumps involves chipping/shredding them completely so that they become small woodchips mixed with soil to create a mulch, which can be directly planted into or utilised elsewhere in the garden. A stump grinder used professionally can remove the stump and its roots in their entirety, leaving you with an area ready to be gardened or landscaped.
The benefits of this option include:
- It is often quicker than stump removal, and in many ways a more efficient procedure.
- There is no extra cost for disposal as opposed to stump removal where the stump and roots require disposal after excavation.
- There are no extra costs in ‘filling in’ or preparing the area after grinding.
- You can use the mulch left behind elsewhere in the garden to feed the soil and plants.
- It is the cheaper of the two options and the least invasive below the ground.
Getting Rid of Unwanted Tree Stumps with StumpBusters
The safest, easiest way to remove tree stumps is always to hire a tree stump removal specialist.
At StumpBusters, we’ve been providing tree stump removal and grinding services for over 25 years, in both domestic and commercial settings, right across the UK. We are fully insured and qualified, with industry accreditation, and have an extensive line-up of powerful, modern machinery to grind any stump no matter the size, quantity, or access, thoroughly. We aim to remove the entire stump from the soil below unless there are services or circumstances that do not allow, at which point we will inform our clients. We also grind the larger roots where appropriate for the situation.
While a tree surgeon might only have a single grinder, we have machines of all sizes to utilise, so we can provide the most cost-effective service for the size of stump and access to the stump. We take immense pride in leaving the area where the stump once was both clean and tidy and ready for our customers to use straight away. Being part of a nationwide network means we are accountable in the service we provide, giving you full peace of mind in using our services, both as a homeowner or commercial client.
Find your Local StumpBuster Professional
StumpBusters provide stump grinding and removal services across the UK with a team of professionals who operate in various locations. Discover who your local StumpBuster is to your location today, and gain a free stump grinding or removal quote.