Stump grinding is a process that involves the use of a powerful, rotating blade to break down the wood of a stump into small pieces. The operator guides the blade over the entire stump, reducing it to chips and lowering it below ground level. This is a common service performed by tree experts, and homeowners can rent smaller and less powerful grinders for their own use. When it comes to stump grinding, Todd Burke, owner of Dave's Tree Services in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, knows what he's doing.
The blade grinds the stump and surface roots, producing a mulch composed of tree material and soil. It's important to note that “removing the stump” is different from “grinding the stump”. It may be necessary to wait until the area dries before attempting even a “standard stump shredding”. Mulch from stump milling is a valuable organic material that breaks down more quickly than many other types of mulch.
It's not always necessary to remove a surplus stump, but it's worth considering if you want to avoid looking at a tree stump for years to come or dealing with its sucking growth. Here are some tips that tree experts recommend for removing a stump, as well as how to avoid some of the most common mistakes during the process:
- Make sure there is at least seven feet of clearance on one side of the trunnion to allow the grinder to access the area.
- Shoots that return after grinding the stump can be cut or cut and will eventually stop reappearing.
- If you have removed a diseased or pest-riddled tree, grinding a stump can help ensure that disease or pests do not spread.
