2 Advantages of Tree Stump Grinding Over Other Removal Methods
Once a tree has been cut down, you may be left wondering what to do with the unsightly stump on your property. Ideally, you should have trees cut down by professional arborists or loppers and negotiate a package that includes stump removal so you don't have to worry about it. But if this isn't an option, you'll want to know how to remove the stump as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Tree stump grinding uses a machine that crushes the stump into fine sawdust, and you can either do it yourself with a rented grinder or hire an arborist. Instead of spending a pretty sum on products that promise quick and complete stump removal, this article highlights some benefits of using grinding over the other methods.
1. Speed of removal
Grinding will take just a few hours depending on the size of the stump and depth of its rooting system. Compare this to chemical removal, which involves adding chemicals to make the stump more porous over several weeks or months before using an axe to cut away at the stump. Even when you plan on burning the stump, you're advised to use a chemical treatment to decompose the stump first and also to avoid creating charcoal because of the low oxygen underground. After this, fuel is poured into the holes, and it must be given a few weeks to penetrate the wood, and so the process takes a while. In addition, burning is best done on old, dead stumps with little water, and therefore it can't be used for freshly cut trees.
2. Ease of removal
Stump grinding involves the use of a heavy power tool, and therefore it isn't a walk in the park. However, it's more beneficial to put in a few hours of labour to clear out the stump in a day than to work through several steps over weeks and months before your yard is stump-free. Grubbing, for instance, involves digging out a stump, and it's very labour-intensive. This is especially true when dealing with trees with deep or wide rooting systems.
With chemical removal, you drill holes on the stump surface and fill them with a chemical like high-nitrogen fertilizer to hasten decomposition. After the waiting period, you still have to cut or burn out the stump. When burning, you must monitor the fire constantly to ensure it doesn't spread; usually, you build a makeshift fence around the stump and remove anything that can catch fire easily.
As you can see, stump removal is laborious at best, but you can eliminate the hassle by hiring a professional to handle the tree grinding. The savings in time and effort are well worth the cost of pro assistance, as there will be no need to deal with the eyesore for months or years before you're rid of it.
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