Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Stump Control

After you've cut down an unwanted tree, you might understandably assume that it can't cause you any further inconveniences. Unfortunately, the remaining stump can indeed create problems that necessitate its destruction or removal, from trip hazards and tree regrowth to the spread of landscape-killing diseases.

If you've never had to bring tree stump issues under control, you may not know why the issue matters so much, what your options might include, or when you should move forward with professional tree removal services. The answers to the following frequently asked questions should help you make the right decisions.

Why Should You Get Rid of Tree Stumps?

Tree stumps may look like harmless yard features, but they can cause more trouble than you might think. Perhaps most obviously, they turn your yard into an obstacle course. Routine mowing can prove frustrating as you try to steer a course around the stumps, while you or loved ones may trip over stumps hidden by tall grass.

Even if you know how to navigate safely around a tree stump, that stump can create lingering problems for other yard features. The wood can fall prey to fungal infections or pest infestations, which may then spread to other trees. The stump itself may grow a new tree that could prove even harder to cut down than its predecessor.

What Problems Can DIY Solutions Cause?

Once you decide to get rid of your tree stump problem, you may encounter various do-it-yourself suggestions for killing the stump. Examples include chemicals such as gasoline, bleach, and herbicides. However, these substances can do serious harm to surrounding human, animal, and plant life.

You may have considered digging the stump out of the ground on your own. However, without the necessary skills and experience, you can easily suffer an injury or damage too much of the surrounding landscaping. You might kill the stump by burning it, but you risk starting a massive, uncontrolled fire in the process.

How Does Tree Stump Grinding Differ From Removal?

Your tree service professional may present you with two potential tree stump solutions: grinding, which destroys the stump almost down to the ground without uprooting it, or removal of the entire stump and its roots. Both techniques have their respective pros and cons worth considering.

Stump grinding tends to cost less money and take less time than stump removal. It also tends to do less collateral damage to other parts of the yard. However, if the remaining bits if the stump fail to decompose, you could easily end up with another unwanted tree that requires additional time and expense to remove.

Stump removal eliminates any chance of the roots generating new growth. The hole in the ground from stump removal can also give you some new and interesting landscaping options for that spot. However, you'll still need to fill the hole with fresh soil, and the entire process involves more labor and expense than grinding.

When Should You Schedule Professional Tree Stump Services?

While you can schedule professional tree stump services at any time of year, winter can offer ideal timing for this kind of work. Most trees, and many other plants, put their growth on hold during the winter months. This dormant behavior can mean easier stump removal and less damage to other yard flora.

You may also find winter an easier time to enlist the help of a professional tree care service. People tend to seek out such services in sunnier, warmer weather so they can enjoy their outdoor environment more easily. As a result, you should have less trouble scheduling your preferred day and time at a competitive price.

Certain scenarios may require you to schedule your tree stump removal more urgently. If you notice signs of disease, for instance, schedule the service right away.

If a troublesome tree stump in your residential yard or commercial property gives you cause for concern, turn to the experts at Ever Green Tree Service & Landscaping. Our experienced professionals can get rid of that tree stump as safely and effectively as possible. Contact us today to schedule our services.