Tips For Dealing With Stumps After Tree Removal

4 March 2016
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Any time you hire a service to remove a tree from your property, you'll need to decide whether or not to have them remove the stump as well. In most cases, stump removal will be an additional cost. Before you decide whether or not to have the tree removal service deal with the stump, it can be helpful to understand how straightforward the task is to do on your own. Here's a look at what you should know about stump removal before you have that tree taken down.

You'll Need a Stump Grinder

In order to safely remove the stump from your property, you'll need a stump grinder. You can get one from most any equipment rental company, and some tree removal services even rent them out. Just make sure that you get an overview of the controls and operating instructions, because they can be complex to operate. In addition, you'll need safety goggles and ear protection for the grinding process.

You'll Have to Do Some Preparation

Before you can grind the stump, you'll have to clear away any rocks or debris from the ground around it. That way, you don't have anything in the area that could damage the blade on the grinder. Once you've done that, trim the stump down as close to the ground as possible with a chainsaw. That cuts the grinding time and effort required to break up the stump.

Let The Grinder Do The Work

Position the grinder so that it's right in front of the stump, then place the cutting wheel right over the front edge of the stump using the hydraulic controls. Lower the wheel gradually as it spins slowly, moving it gradually in so that it's a couple of inches in from the stump edge. Then, move the wheel gradually back and forth sideways with the hydraulic controls. Work your way around the stump slowly, moving the wheel sideways as you go.

When you get several inches deep into the stump, lift the wheel and move it forward a couple of inches. Then, repeat the cycle. That way, you're gradually breaking up the stump in circular movements, working your way in toward the center. Once you've ground the entire stump and roots, it's time to draw all of the wood chips out with a rake and dispose of them or use them for mulch.

Fill the Hole and Plant Grass

Once you've removed all of the debris from the hole, it's time to fill it in. Use topsoil and fill the entire space, then pack it all down so that it's level with the ground around it. Then, spread grass seed and water it well. Cover the whole surface with hay until the grass seeds start to sprout.

If you're not confident in your ability to do this, you can have the tree removal contractors handle the stump disposal as well.