Once you cut down and haul away trees in your landscaping, you must decide what to do about the remaining stumps. You may wonder if you should leave them in place or hire an expert arborist to grind them for you. Make the best decision by understanding the pros and cons of professional tree stump grinding.
The Benefits of Stump Grinding
Stump grinding services offer homeowners numerous advantages. The following are the most common.
Improved Yard Appearance
Many property owners find tree stumps to be ugly. Leaving them behind can ruin the look of your landscaping. Help your home’s front and backyard look their best by hiring an arborist to grind the stumps.
Safety
Gnarly and uneven stumps can also be dangerous. As the property’s owner, you are legally and financially liable for the safety of people who venture into your yard. Grinding stumps removes obstacles that people could trip over, suffer injuries and have a valid reason to file a lawsuit against you.
Easier Yardkeeping
Grinding down the stumps makes it easier for you to take care of your yard. You avoid having to maneuver the lawnmower around them. You also gain more ground for planting a garden, flowers or other vegetation.
Insect and Pest Removal
Decaying tree stumps attract a wide variety of pests like beetles, ants and woodroaches. These pests could easily get into your home if you allow stumps to remain in the yard. By hiring experts to grind them, you make your yard less appealing to invasive pests.
The Disadvantages of Stump Grinding
However, grinding the stumps in your yard can also invite several drawbacks. Here are some of the most important ones.
Remaining Roots
Stump grinding does not get rid of the removed tree’s roots. The remaining roots can sprout new growth. New growth could interfere with future planting or home construction projects.
Cleanup
The process of grinding down the stumps also makes a mess in your yard. You will have to decide what to do with the large volume of mulch that it creates. This decision could require you to devote several hours or longer to cleaning up the yard.
Limited Depth
Tree grinders are limited in how far down they can reach. Most can go about 4 to 16 inches below the surface of the ground.
Depending on the age and size of the tree stump, that depth may not be sufficient. You may still be left with part of a stump.
Space Limitations
Before experts grind stumps in your yard, they must determine how much space they have for this project. It is often more challenging in tight spaces or in areas close to utility lines. This service can also pose a challenge in rocky soil.
If you have tree stumps in your yard and are not sure what to do with them, reach out to an expert for help. Contact Triangle Tree Pros in Raleigh, NC for stump grinding today.
