Last Updated on February 15, 2022 by Real Men Sow
Our arborists will also assess the stump for grinding when preparing a proposal to remove a tree. Although stump grinding is not always necessary for every tree, many people prefer to have the stump removed at the same time.
What Do Stump Grinders Do?
The stump grinder allows property owners to plant a flower garden or lay sod in the same area that the tree was once. Mulch from the stump grinder can also be used around your yard. These are some of the most common questions we receive about stump grinding.
How Deep Can The Stump Grinder Go?
Alternatively, you can request deeper grinding, but the cost of stump grinding could rise. There are limitations to the depth at which a stump may be ground.
- The diameter of the stump-grinding knife is approximately 10 inches. It can only be moved up and down within a certain range.
- Trees that were grown in soil less than six inches deep, such as the limestone bedrock in Dallas, might not be able to grind.
- The grinder’s ability to go as deep as possible may be limited by other material around or near the tree. The stump grinder is strong, but it can only handle dirt, wood, or plant material. Pay attention to:
- Concrete, brick, or stone around a stump (such a tree ring), can be fencing, concrete, brick, and mortar.
- Trees nearby that might have roots beneath the stump of a tree
- There are a few things that can prevent the grinder reaching all the root material, such as walkways and patios.
- Lawn irrigation, sprinkler systems and tree lighting wiring are all possible.
- Although we don’t usually grind too deep to cause interference with properly-installed utilities lines or buried cables in our work, there are some unexpected obstacles that may require a deeper grind.
The homeowner may not be aware of the truth about the soil or what lies beneath the tree’s roots. We take great care when grinding stumps, but we cannot be held responsible for any damage to irrigation lines or other objects below ground. Before any work is started, it is important to notify your arborist about sprinkler systems and other objects.
What Is Left After A Stump Is Ground?
The blade creates a mulch from tree material and dirt as it grinds the stumps and surfaces roots. Mulch made from stump grinding can be much larger than the original stump.
Mulch made from stump grinding is a valuable organic material which decomposes faster than other types of mulch. There are usually smaller wood particles and more soil that can help it breakdown. The standard practice is to push the mulch back into any area that has been ground (“backfilling”) There is often a lot of mulch above the ground. This can be more than the tree owners expected. Mulch settles quickly due to its composition. Many people prefer to have the mulch in their yard, rather than leaving it behind.
Can You Use Stump Grinder For Compost?
You can use stump grinder mulch for composting and in flower beds. It may not perform as well as traditional hardwood mulch and should be replaced sooner, depending on the exact composition. Once the mulch has settled for some time, you can pack it into the ground-out area. This will make the area ready for sod laying or planting small plants. We can offer mulch bagging or bagged mulch haul-off if required after stump grinding. However, the usual practice is to leave all the grinder mulch on-site.
Will The Tree Come Back After A Stump Is Ground?
Some tree species can still grow new growth even after stump grinding. Some of the most common plants in the area are hackberries, Crape myrtles and chinaberry trees. The sprouts that come back after stump grinding can either be trimmed or mown and they will eventually stop coming back as the remaining roots exhaust their energy resources. Commercially-available woody stem killer can be used to accelerate the dieback of the roots. Organic root killers can also be made from white vinegar.
Can I Replant After A Stump Is Ground?
It is not good to replant trees in the same place as the tree was removed. Even with a deep grind, the root system can still remain underground. It can hinder the establishment of the new tree by allowing the old root system to remain underground. If the tree was affected by a disease, the disease can still be found in the root tissue and could be passed on to the new tree. We can help you choose a location far enough away from the tree to minimize interference. Excavating or hand digging might be the only option if a homeowner’s association or municipality requires that a tree be removed from a specific location.
Can Every Stump Be Ground?
The stump can’t be removed from a tree that has been uprooted due to storm damage or root rot. The stump grinder might not be able to reach the stump if there is too much root material above ground. It will depend on the tree type and its growth history, so it might pull up dirt, turf grass and other underground materials when it falls. The dirt that is left over from the grinding of an uprooted stump might be heavier than tree matter and not suitable for mulch.
What’s The Best Weather To Use My Stump Grinder
The weather can also influence when stump grinding can take place. The soil can become waterlogged if it is exposed to heavy rains for a long time. A stump grinder that is too heavy or wet can cause more damage to the surrounding areas. You may need to wait for the soil to dry before you attempt a standard stump grinding.
We always send an arborist to evaluate the situation and give a quote before scheduling the stump grinder.
How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost?
Three main factors affect the cost of stump grinding: the size and location of the stump as well as how deep the grinder must go. We will usually provide a stump grinding quote when we offer a tree removal estimate. However, we are happy to assess any stumps that you might want to have ground.
How Do I Measure A Stump?
The diameter of the stump, which includes any roots above ground, determines the base cost of stump grinding. This measurement can also be taken after a tree has been removed. It is important to measure “from dirt to dirt” to get the correct measurement.
This means that you should measure from the stump edge (or root point) where it touches dirt to the opposite edge/root point. You should also measure in different directions. The average measurement will give you the most accurate representation of the ground area.
Sometimes the “dirt-to-dirt” measurement is larger than the tree trunk’s diameter. We also see situations in which stump grinding can prove more expensive than removing the tree.
Can The Stump Grinder Reach My Stump?
The standard stump grinder measures seven feet in length and three feet in width. The stump grinder’s front features a round blade, similar to a tip of a chainsaw. This blade chips away any wood it encounters as it travels across the stump. Standard gates can fit the stump grinder, however some older or narrower gates might not be able accommodate it.
It may be difficult for the machine to reach certain areas due to its weight. The grinding blade is maneuverable, but the grinder must have clearance of at least seven feet on each side of the stump to reach the ground. Our smaller stump grinder can be used in smaller areas, but it will require more time and may result in a longer procedure.
Can I Just Leave The Stump?
After a tree has been removed, it is not necessary that a stump be ground or removed in any other way. Customers have requested that a tree be not cut to the ground. They can use the stump as a plant stand or table base. It can still last many years, even if it is not cut to the ground. To extend the life of a standing stump, you can apply preserver coatings.
Leave stumps for natural decaying
Some homeowners prefer to allow a stump to naturally decay over time. Old stumps may become home to insects and fungi. The stump can eventually become rich in organic material, which can be used to make compost or for planting. However, a stump that is not ground can still produce new growth years after it has been cut down.
Stump death can be accelerated by drilling holes in the stump, filling them with Epsom salt or using commercial stump killer. However, these chemicals can cause damage to nearby plants. The stump can be hazardous for pets and people if it is treated with chemicals.
