What to do With the Stump After Removing a Tree

What to do With the Stump After Removing a Tree

Once you’ve opted to have a tree removed, you might think the hard decisions are over. But after the tree has been cut down and taken away, you’ll find you’re left with a pretty unattractive tree stump in your yard as stump removal isn’t usually part of the tree removal service. Your options are to leave it as-is, grind it or remove it.

When You Leave a Tree Stump Behind

A tree stump left in your yard can quickly become a tripping hazard, especially once grass or weeds hide it from view as it decays and sinks into the ground. It can also damage your lawnmower if you don’t notice it until it’s too late when cutting the grass. A decaying stump can become home to pests that might migrate beyond the stump to other plants and even into your home.

A stump can be unsightly and detract from the curb appeal of your Fort Lauderdale home, even if you do hollow it out and use it as a planter as some homeowners do. It also prevents you from planting anything else in that spot while you wait for the stump to rot; what’s the point of taking down a tree if its footprint is still there?

Choosing to Grind or Remove a Tree Stump

The type of tree, its size and the age of the tree all factor into how easy (or difficult) it is to grind or remove a tree stump. Generally, the older and smaller the tree is, the easier it will be to take care of the stump.

Stump removal is a big job because of the expansive nature of tree roots, both in reach and depth. However, upon completion of the job you’re left with a cleared area that’s ready for a fresh start. Stump grinding is a more focused effort that only addresses the visible stump. Roots remain and based on how many years it can take them to rot away, they can interfere with future plantings.

Hire a Professional for Stump Grinding or Removal

While it is possible to grind or remove a tree stump yourself, it’s a time-consuming job, and if you don’t know what you’re doing it can be hazardous, too. Flying debris from stump grinder machines, chainsaws or axes can cause serious injury, as can improper use of this equipment. Chemical removal of a tree stump isn’t always desirable because children and pets may be exposed to toxic substances, and most urban and suburban communities like Miami Shores and Miami Springs are likely to prohibit burning out stumps.

Calling in a Fort Lauderdale tree trimming service to remove or grind a stump down will leave you with a backfilled area that’s ready for its next life. Given the time and cost involved in doing the job yourself, hiring a tree service isn’t likely to cost much more. However, it’s much safer for you as a property owner and a much faster solution for getting rid of that ugly stump. While tree trimming in Fort Lauderdale doesn’t typically include stump removal, most professional services will be able to prepare an estimate for both when requested by a property owner.

Call Affordable Tree Service today to see how easy it is to have our professional tree trimming crew come in and grind or remove that unsightly tree stump. As one of the best tree trimming services in the area, we have the skill and experience to do the job to the highest standards, leaving you with a beautifully prepared site.