Sometimes tree removal is necessary to start construction projects, resolve hazardous conditions, or protect other trees. When people think about cutting down trees, they may also envision a left-behind stump. Tree stumps seem harmless, yet the many benefits of stump grinding suggest that it’s better to get rid of the tree completely to flatten the land.
We provide stump grinding in Houston at Tree Care Inc. Before calling us to eliminate an unsightly or unwanted stump, review our guide below to learn the top benefits of this service.
What’s Stump Grinding?
Before learning the benefits of stump grinding, it’s helpful to first know what the service is and what it entails. Grinding is the process of chipping away a tree stump to make the surface of the ground even without any tree-related protrusions.
When a professional tree care service grinds down a stump, they use specialized machinery to quickly break down the tree’s remains about four to six inches below the ground’s surface. Though the service seems extensive and damaging to landscapes, it’s minimally invasive and doesn’t produce long-term damage. The small wood chips from the grinding process can fill the void along with dirt or soil to smooth out the treated area.
Stump Removal vs. Stump Grinding
Stump removal and grinding seem identical, yet they’re not the same service. Stump grinding only removes the surface-level tree remains as well as a few inches of growth beneath the soil. The purpose of grinding is to let the tree’s root system decay and die naturally.
Conversely, tree removal is the process of removing the entire stump from the ground along with the tree’s root system. This method is the most effective way to get rid of an unwanted or problematic tree permanently.
Unfortunately, tree stump removal requires heavy-duty machinery, specialized equipment, and a professional crew willing to carry out this labor-intensive service. Stump grinding is more manageable and less damaging to landscapes, making it a preference for many property owners.
Reasons To Need Professional Stump Grinding Services
Still unsure about why you should grind tree stumps instead of removing them or keeping them in place? Consider these benefits of stump grinding.
Eliminate Hazards
When you leave a stump behind after removing a tree, it can become a landscape hazard. People could trip over the stump and exposed roots. Trip-and-fall accidents are especially problematic for children, seniors, and others who may have difficulty maneuvering around a low-lying tree stump.
Grinding the stump is an excellent safety improvement for any landscape since it smooths the area and fully eliminates the tripping hazard.
Prevent Pest Infestations
Many pests that infest trees will also target stumps. Termites, carpenter ants, and other wood-destroying insects can use the stump as a food source or home. An infestation in a forgotten tree stump might not seem like a big problem, yet it can become one if the pests migrate toward your home or business after destroying the tree’s remains.
Stump grinding is great for pest prevention, so you won’t have to worry about these damaging insects finding their way into your home. When you eliminate food sources, habitats, and breeding grounds, wood-eating and wood-boring insects are less likely to invade and infest your property.
Enhance Property Aesthetics and Usefulness
Though some think tree stumps are charming additions to their yards, they don’t always produce the desired effects. Stumps can cause well-manicured landscapes to look unkempt due to the unsightly tree remains. Grinding the stumps away can dramatically boost landscape aesthetics and enhance your property’s overall appeal.
Space utilization for your yard is another advantage to stump grinding. If you have a small yard with a large stump, you wouldn’t have much space for a garden, play space for children and pets, or other elements you want for your property. Yet with stump grinding, you’ll have plenty of usable space, and your yard will look more spacious.
Protect Nearby Trees
One of the main benefits of stump grinding is protection for other trees. The unfortunate reality about tree removal is that the service doesn’t necessarily stop its root system from absorbing moisture and nutrients from the soil. As a result, the stump could inadvertently take essential nutrients from nearby plants that need them to grow.
A lack of nutrients for plants isn’t the only problem with keeping a stump on your property. If the tree’s remains develop any diseases or fungal infections from the rotting wood, they could also spread to trees nearby.
With professional stump grinding services, your tree removal process will be complete. Your other trees and plants will have the protection they need to sustain healthy growth.
Manage Landscape More Easily
It might not seem like a major problem, but lawn care with a tree stump is typically inconvenient. You must carefully mow around it, which can be difficult depending on the type of mower you use and the size of the tree stump. You could also damage your lawn care equipment if you accidentally hit the stump.
Caring for your lawn becomes substantially easier when you eliminate the stump and smooth out the ground.
Stop Stump From Sprouting a New Tree
Since tree stumps usually keep absorbing water and nutrients from the soil, tree sprouts can form. Sprouts leech lots of moisture and nutrients from the ground, so they can easily cause grass and other nearby plant life to wither and die. Removing the stump is the best way to ensure the tree doesn’t grow back.
Contact Our Professionals To Remove Pesky Tree Stumps and Root Systems
Whether you want to avoid bad tree pruning or experience the many benefits of stump grinding after removing a tree, we at Tree Care Inc. can help. As one of the top tree care providers serving Houston, TX, and the surrounding areas, our certified professionals have the experience necessary to safely manage everything from tree root removal to tree and soil health assessments.
Count on our tree care professionals to address your stump removal or grinding needs with minimal disruption to your landscape. We’re ready to tailor our services to sustainably beautify your land — call (713) 234-0914 and learn more.
