After you have a tree removed, you will need to have a plan for addressing the stump that may have been left behind. For homeowners that are having stump removal done for the first time, there are a few different options that they can pursue.
Leave The Stump
Depending on the size and location of the stump, some homeowners will consider simply leaving it. While this may not seem like it is a poor choice when the stump is isolated or a fair distance from the house or other structures, it can present a number of problems. As the stump decays, it will attract a variety of pests, such as termites, rodents, and ants. These pests can eventually begin to target your home. For this reason, leaving a stump to decay on its own is typically not an advisable option for homeowners.
Excavate The Stump
One of the more thorough options for removing a tree stump will be to have it and its root system excavated. This option of stump removal is ideal for situations where construction will need to be done at the site where the tree was located. If the entire stump and root system is not removed, it can be possible for the soil under the construction to gradually destabilize as the roots decay and the soil collapses. While homeowners may attempt this option by using their truck to pull the stump out of the ground, this can be an extremely risky option for your truck. Large trees will have massive root systems, and it can be possible for the hitch of the truck to be torn from it by this work. Professional tree stump removal services will have specially designed tractors that can safely and effectively pull the stump from the ground after enough soil has been excavated from around it.
Grind The Stump
In instances where major construction will not be done on the site, it can be possible to use grinding to reduce the profile of the stump as much as possible. Not surprisingly, grinding a large tree stump to the ground will require very powerful equipment, which will make it impossible for a homeowner to do this without help. An added benefit of grinding the stump is that it will produce large amounts of mulch that can be used around your property to limit weed growth, improve moisture retention, and release nutrients back into the soil.
