Stump grinding is an intricate process that involves digging out the stump of a tree without removing the root. A special machine, known as a stump grinder, is used to mechanically grind the stump down to a fine sawdust. This process has several advantages, such as allowing you to grind the stump to the desired height. The grind can be as low as 1 inch below ground level or up to 12 inches below ground level. So, what is tree stump grinding? This process uses special earth saws to grind the stump into wood chips or sawdust.
The machine can grind the stump down to ground level or up to 12 inches below ground level, creating a hole that can be filled with soil. To access the area to be ground, a clearance of at least seven feet is required on one side of the trunnion. If you're not sure whether it's best for you to remove or grind stumps, a professional arborist can help. Professional arborists and tree removal companies also have insurance against accidental property damage from tree removal and stump grinding. When performing the service, it is standard to continuously grind the stump until there is no longer any visible trunk.
This means that not only the entire stump but also the entire root system connected to it must be removed. It's not always necessary to remove a surplus stump, but ask yourself if you want to look at a tree stump for years to come or deal with its sucking growth. Grinding a stump leaves the roots in place, so there is either no hole or a small hole that needs to be filled in afterwards, depending on how much you grind. The mulch from stump milling is a valuable organic material that breaks down more quickly than many other types of mulch, as there are usually smaller wood particles present and more soil to help it decompose. An important difference between both processes is that removing tree stumps removes both root and stump. What remains after grinding a rooted stump may be more soil than tree matter and may not be suitable for use as mulch.
Stump grinders that are available for rent by homeowners will be smaller and less powerful than those used by professionals and you are unlikely to find a range of stump grinder models to choose from. Because stump grinding still leaves roots below ground, they could cause difficulties in the future, but total removal eliminates that concern. Factors such as the diameter of the stump, the age of the tree, the type of soil, the root system and the number of stumps determine the cost of digging out the stump. As the blade grinds the stump and surface roots, it produces a mulch composed of tree material and soil. The roots that end up remaining after the stump shredding procedure will make it quite difficult for a new tree to grow.
