Stump Grinding 101
At White Mountains Tree Service, we get a lot of questions about stump grinding. Here are the things to consider when deciding whether or not to grind your stump.
There is a difference between stump grinding and stump removal.
Not all stumps are created equal.
Stump grinding is not always the best option.
Yes, you can do it yourself.
Stump Grinding vs. Stump Removal
Stump grinding requires the use of a machine that “grinds” the stump into thousands, if not millions of little wood chips. Stump removal is when the tree and roots are physically dug out and pulled from the ground. Depending on the size of the stump, removal may require the use of hand tools to the use of heavy machinery to fully pull the stump out.
The benefits to stump grinding are that it is less intrusive, more efficient, and more affordable. The downside to stump grinding is that it does leave behind roots that will continue to decompose over time. The benefits of stump removal is that it will leave you with a “clean slate” of the area; there is no debris left behind, only a hole to be filled.
Stump Diversity
The age, size and type of tree stump are all factors to consider when stump grinding. Older stumps that have died are easier to grind than freshly cut stumps. The larger the stump the longer it takes to grind, the harder the wood the longer it takes to grind. Knowing that, pine trees are typically easier to grind than elm or cottonwood trees. Generally speaking, these three factors help a professional service determine the time and cost to remove a stump.
When to Walk Away
Stump grinding is not always the best option. In particular, if you have a large stump, which implies a large root system, stump grinding may not be the best option. This is why: that root system will take years to decay. However, the roots will eventually decompose if you have a stump ground. If that root system is under an existing foundation or future foundation, depending on the size and types of roots- it may impact the foundation as the roots decompose. In addition to foundation concerns, it is important to understand that stump grinders are fairly large machines. The smallest are the size of a snow blower. There are times, when space limits the ability to fully grind a stump. While there are other times that stump grinding may not be the best option, these are 2 of the most common reasons people walk away from their stump grinding plans.
DIY Stump Grinding
You can rent a stump grinder. Standard hardware stores with rental departments, such as Home Depot, rent stump grinders. There are key factors and steps to consider if you are renting a machine. Some of these include the physical demand of the machine, time and preparation of the site. If you decide to rent a machine, we recommend over-estimating the time you think it will take to complete your stump grinding. It is a skilled trade, and while most people can stump grind, the more practice you have the quicker it is to complete the task at hand. Generally speaking, residential size stump grinders are physically demanding. They are heavy, and they are taxing on forearms in particular. Finally, if you elect to rent a stump grinder- prep your site before you rent the machine. This saves you time on your rental fees. The stump needs to be dug out prior to starting the machine. This ensures that rocks and other large debris do not damage your stump grinder and delay the grinding process. Above all and most importantly, make sure you are wearing the proper protective gear. Injuries can happen.
