Stump Grinding: The Good, The Bad, and The Gnarly Risks
Can't decide whether to keep that little tree stump on your backyard or to get rid of it? Today's article will help you decide on what to do with that little beast on your backyard.
Trees are literally everywhere here on the beautiful Sunshine Coast and everyone is committed to caring for its well-being, from the moment the sapling gets planted in your backyard til it reaches the end of its life.
When you get a tree removed from your property, it leaves behind its stump - an unsightly and bothersome reminder that a beautiful tree once existed on that spot. They stick around like your clingy ex who wouldn't accept that it's over and nothing good will happen if they choose to stay. The good thing is that you, the property owner, can get rid of that tree stump in your backyard for good.
The smartest way to deal with the pesky remnant of your tree is through stump grinding. This process removes whatever is left of your tree - from the stump to the roots - and turns it into wood chips that can be used as mulch for your garden. Pretty neat huh?
Hold that thought! Before you consider getting yourself your very own stump-grinding machine and dealing with that little tree zombie on your own, there are things that you need to consider.
In this article, we will cover the good, the bad and the risk that comes with tree stump grinding. We will also dish out some sensible advice to help you make the best decision for your backyard and keep its landscape a sight to behold so stick around and make sure to read until the end.
The Real Deal About Stump Removal
Most people don't deal with tree stumps because they simply have no idea how to deal with them. They mow around it and some may even give it a Pinterest-worthy makeover. But there are a few who would dare attempt to remove these tree stumps; after all, there are hundreds of tutorials all over the world wide web on how to DIY stuff, including stump removal.
Newsflash: none of those DIY tutorials can help you safely and effectively remove that tree stump on your property. Most of these DIY tutorials will do more harm than good, and you might even end up hurting yourself in the process.
Sweet Benefits of Stump Removal to Property Owners
Perhaps, you're thinking that it might be best to just leave that poor tree stump be rather than waste your time and energy to remove it on your own. Before you get disheartened and accept the presence of that tree stump in your life, here are four good reasons why you need to say goodbye to tree stumps
1. Good vibes for your yard
Getting rid of a tree stump will definitely make your yard look tidier, and as you know, tidier is always better, and if you are planning to sell your property, a clean and well-kept yard is always enticing to prospective buyers.
2. Reclaiming precious space
Removing that tree stump allows you to create more space in your property and allow you to further enhance its aesthetics. You may want to turn that spot into a flower patch or maybe have a firepit or even build the kids their very own outdoor fort.
3. Healthier plants and trees
Tree stumps are a perfect breeding ground for pests and diseases that can infect and decimate all the plants in your garden. You can prevent this mini garden apocalypse by getting rid of that seemingly harmless tree stump. If your plants and shrubs can talk, they will all agree and thank you for it.
4. Creating a safer space for you and your family.
Imagine your kids running around your backyard on a perfect Saturday afternoon that's filled with fun and laughter when one of them trips on that tree stump and falls face down on the ground. The sound of laughter is replaced with wails of pain and your family's day is ruined because of a tree stump.
Having that tree stump removed means you and your kids can enjoy your very own outdoor space without worrying that you might hit a stump with your brand-new lawn mower or having one of your kids injured as they run around and have fun.
Common Misconceptions and Problems about Stump Grinding and Removal
Now that you know the real deal about stump removal and the benefits you can get from it as a property owner, let us discuss the elephant in the room - the misconceptions and the problems that property owners encounter when dealing with stump grinding and stump removal.
Stump grinding and removal is a tedious and risky task - you need to have the right tools, knowledge, and stamina to deal with all the hard work - from removing the stump to dealing with a huge mess that goes with it. If you're up for the challenge, here are the things you need to deal with:
1. Getting the right tools.
If you're really dead serious in getting rid of that tree stump on your own, you will need to buy a stump grinder. It is a power tool with a rotating disk that chips away the stump. Depending on the size and capacity, a stump grinder's price can range from $2,000 to $205,364.
Here's what you need to understand about stump grinders:
- They are not vacuum cleaners that will suck out debris and collect them in a bag or container.
- They are not like chainsaws that can cut stumps into firewood that you can stack easily.
- They are not the same as woodchippers. Stump grinders are designed to remove tree stumps. Wood chippers on the other hand are used to reduce large chunks of wood branches into wood chips or mulch.
2. Having the know-how
Say, you have the dough to get yourself a stump grinding machine. Question is, can you use and maneuver the equipment efficiently to get the job done? It takes proper training to learn how to wield and utilize machinery effectively. Even if you have the best stump grinding tools that money can buy, things can easily go south without proper skills and knowledge in utilizing them.
3. Eliminating the root of the problem, literally.
Getting rid of the visible part of the tree stump is just 1/3 of the problem. Dealing with a tree's root systems is probably more difficult than removing the stump itself. Root systems are complex to say the least and there's also the possibility of that it can get tangled with water and gas pipelines which means you cannot rip the stump and an entire root system without careful planning and taking extra precautions because you just might do more harm than good in the process.
4. The Big Cleanup
The thought of cleaning up a huge after doing a physically taxing job is probably more exhausting than the job itself, and in this case, it's stump grinding. Let me tell you my friend, stump grinding and removal is a messy task plus it will leave a gaping hole in your yard that you need to take care of right away. Not tomorrow, not next time you don't know when you're in the mood to do it... you need to deal with that hole in your yard RIGHT AWAY.
Aside from these four crucial things you need to deal with, you also need to consider other factors such as the surrounding vegetation in your garden, and of course, your personal safety.
Stump grinding and removal is not for the faint-hearted, more so, for unskilled and inexperienced individuals. Think twice before you spend your hard-earned cash on a stump-grinding machine and play Joe the Arborist in your garden. Trust me mate, you're gonna thank yourself for it.
The Risks that Tree Stumps Bring
Now that we've shed the light and have shown how daunting stump grinding and removal can be, you might feel discouraged to go on with the project and just leave that tree zombie be. Well, my friend, I'm telling you that's a bigger mistake than trying to remove a tree stump with your bare hands. That little bugger will cause heaps of trouble.
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