$500 OFF All Tree Work! Our Biggest Savings Ever! Call for more details.

Do Tree Roots Die After Stump Grinding or Keep Growing?

Taking care of your property means fully removing dead trees. You’ll need an arborist to grind down the leftover stumps after cutting down the tree in question. You might wonder whether stump removal is a necessity or a suggestion. 

Do tree roots die after stump grinding in Lexington, KY? Tree Care Inc. has over three decades of tree-care experience. Our arborist explores how stump grinding works and whether the roots will return after the service. 

What Purpose Does Stump Grinding Serve?

A dead or dying tree is a hazard to your property and other nearby specimens. Arborists start by removing the above-ground body, including the branches and trunk, piece by piece. It’s sort of like dismantling the tree by cutting it into manageable pieces.

The crew leaves the stump after removing the majority of the tree. The stump is the trunk base that connects to the roots. Removal requires heavy equipment like grinders and earth movers because stumps are big and anchored deep into the ground. 

While stump grinding is treated as a separate service from tree removal, it’s equally important. Stumps gradually rot away and invite pests, fungi, and bacteria to overtake the remaining wood. Stump and root decay can spread to nearby trees, especially if those specimens are already struggling. 

Do Tree Roots Die After Stump Grinding?

Stump removal typically brings most regrowth potential to a complete stop. Your arborist grinds the stump as deep as possible — reaching as far as 18 inches beneath the ground’s surface. The service wounds the remaining root system enough that it can’t reinvigorate itself or support future growth.

That being said, root systems can expand 20 or more feet away from the tree’s base. They can survive the damage and sometimes keep growing. So, do tree roots die after stump grinding? Not immediately, anyway.

Can they grow back? That depends on whether they can access certain resources and how hearty the original tree was.  

Under What Circumstances Might the Roots Grow Back?

Sometimes, tree roots do grow back and send shoots of fresh growth to the surface. Part of stump grinding’s purpose is to eliminate one regrowth outlet. The surviving root system might support suckers that grow out of the stump. 

Suckers are small, stem-like structures that originate from a tree’s base. A regular tree might grow them if it recently underwent some type of stress. A stump sports them because the root system is trying to support a new sapling. Let’s explore the factors that help tree roots thrive after a stump grinding service. 

How Is the Soil Quality?

Trees need four things to stay healthy and grow strong:

  • Water
  • Sunlight
  • Airflow
  • Fertile soil

The removed tree’s absence allows plenty of sunlight and airflow. If you get lots of rain in your area, you can bet that the root systems on your property have enough to drink. Living roots, whether they support a tree or not, also rely on nutrient absorption to keep growing. 

Do tree roots die after stump grinding? They might survive with adequate soil health. You might discover those suckers pushing out from beneath the ground, attached to an old tree root. Stubborn root systems that can access their basic needs are more likely to keep growing. 

What Tree Species Died?

The likelihood of root sprouting also depends on the type of tree you removed. Some species are hardier and more stubborn than others. Softwood and monocot varieties, for instance, are less likely to regrow after stump removal. 

Softwoods, such as conifers, decay faster and struggle to heal from significant injuries quickly. Monocots like palm trees don’t have traditional root systems and primarily rely on their trunks. 

What species could regrow after tree and stump removal?

  • Poplars
  • Some oak varieties
  • Elms
  • Willows
  • Pear trees
  • Crepe myrtles
  • Maples
  • Redwoods

These trees have tough hardwood, aggressive root systems, and a stubborn penchant for survival, especially if they fully established their roots long before removal and grinding services. 

Was the Root System Established?

What was the age and health status of the removed tree? Its veracity and maturity play a significant role in whether the root system can keep growing and support suckers:

  • Seedlings: A seedling stands three feet tall or less and has a one-inch diameter. These specimens are in their infancy and unlikely to survive removal or stump grinding.
  • Saplings: A sapling is less than five feet tall and has a trunk diameter of up to five inches. While it’s stronger than a sapling, its root system is still vulnerable and unestablished. It won’t produce new growth after stump grinding. 
  • Yearlings: A yearling has likely lived in the same spot since it was a sapling or seedling. Its root system is stronger and more secure in the soil, and has a better chance of regrowing — but not much.  
  • Legacy trees: Legacy specimens have fully matured and can reproduce through pollen and seed production. If you cut down and grind a healthy legacy tree, you might notice suckers pop up in the spring. 
  • Heritage trees: A heritage tree is often hundreds of years old. Its well-established root system can likely withstand trauma, but ordinances usually protect such specimens. 

Legacy trees and older specimens feature more secure root systems that can potentially keep growing and produce fresh shoots. But if the tree in question already died before removal or suffered from root diseases or injuries, it won’t likely keep growing no matter its species or age. When root damage kills a tree, the root network is usually long dead before the trunk and branches. 

Let Tree Care Inc. Tackle All Your Tree Concerns in Lexington, Kentucky

Do tree roots die after stump grinding? Most will die slowly after the service. Some survive and support fresh growth under some circumstances. Tree Care Inc. invites you to combine your trees with our expertise, whether you’re dealing with exposed tree roots or a sickly specimen. Our arborist implements solutions that elevate tree aesthetics while prioritizing their health. Call (859) 347-2237 for a free estimate for stump grinding and other services in Lexington, Kentucky. Learn more today. 

Share:

More Posts

Send Us A Message

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

We keep your yard hazard-free. Call Tree Care Inc.!

Scroll to Top