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Tree Stump Removal
So you’ve had a troublesome tree removed from your property but unfortunately an unsightly stump has been left from the process. There is no need to live with it forever – tree stump removal will get rid of that stump and you’ll forget that it was ever there!
Why Remove Tree Stumps?
It is important to remove tree stumps as they are unattractive, they attract termites, and they are painful if you should happen to trip over one. Tree stumps are also bad Feng Shui as they are considered to be tomb stones – not a pleasant symbol to have in anyone’s garden!
Ways of Removing Tree Stumps
There are several different ways that tree stumps can be removed. Mechanically is the quickest way. Mechanical removal works by using a stump grinding machine. These machines use a large flywheel equipped with cutting teeth. The operator moves the cutter head over the stump, so that it is ground away a little at a time. Stump grinding machines are available in several different sizes to suit the space where the stump is located. How efficient the grinding is depends on how large the cutter head is, how powerful the machine is, and how proficient the operator is.
Decomposition is another option but this depends on the chemical composition of the wood. If left alone after the tree has been removed, the stump will gradually decay on its own. This process can take many years however, depending on how large the stump is, the soil in the area, and what type of tree it is. There are also commercial products that are designed to dissolve tree stumps.
Digging out the stump is yet another option. Smaller stumps can be easily removed using a backhoe or other excavation machinery. You can also hand dig the stump but this can be very difficult. If hand removing, the trunk of the tree should be left as tall as possible to assist with leverage to loosen and break the roots as the digging goes on.
Be aware that most stump removals will not completely remove the stump from the ground. In the majority of cases, the main part of the stump is removed, leaving the smaller roots in the ground to decay naturally. Remove the stump according to the new purpose of the area. If it is turf, it should be removed to a depth of 12 inches. For landscaping, remove the stump to at least 24 inches, maybe more.
Hiring a Tree Stump Removal Professional
The tree stump removalist should first and foremost provide you with a free quote on the cost of removing the stump from your property. It is important, however, that you let them know what the new intended use of the land will be, and how much of the stump that you would like removed, if possible. It is also important that you specify the level of cleanup that you expect once the job is finished. Cleanup options include piling the debris on the stump site, leveling the area and removing excess debris, or removing all of the debris and backfilling the hole with clean soil.
Ensure that your chosen professional is fully insured. Also ask if your professional will include root barrier installation around the roots of the tree.
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Related Categories
Landscaping & Gardening
Tree Felling