When a tree is cut down or falls over, the bottom part of the trunk that is left sticking out of the ground is called a stump. It is like a leftover piece of the tree that remains rooted in the soil. If you have ever tripped over that short, chunky section still poking up from the ground or cringed at the sight of it every time you host a BBQ, it is time to call in Grapevine, TX tree services to get it taken care of.
Why Stump Grinding Matters?
The process of removing a tree stump by grinding it down into wood chips requires expert knowledge and industrial-grade equipment, which is why this is something delegated to a professional deep stump grinding service in Arlington.
But why go to all that trouble? Why can’t you just leave that piece of the trunk as it is? Here are a few reasons:
It becomes a breeding ground for pests.
A rotting stump is the perfect home for termites, ants, and rodents – which may eventually make their way into your home. Wood-boring beetles are also drawn to decaying wood. Once they settle in the stump, it is only a matter of time before they start infesting nearby wooden fences, sheds, or your house foundation. And for your reference, it can cost up to $1,200 to call exterminators to remove a rat! This doesn’t even include the cost of repairing damage to the building.
It may create cavities under your home.
Even after the tree is cut down, the root system can remain alive for years. These roots are not going to disappear on their own; instead, they start to rot slowly. As time goes on, they shrink and break down. The result is empty space where the roots once were.
What if this could be happening under your driveway, sidewalk, or near the foundation of your home? The ground is no longer supported as it used to be because those roots that were holding everything in place are gone. This might very well cause the soil to sink or shift.
If the soil underneath a pathway, patio, or foundation starts to settle unevenly, the surface above it — i.e., your concrete driveway or patio — might begin to crack or sink in certain spots. At first, it might just look like a small dip or a hairline crack, but it will get much worse if left unattended.
It Takes Decades to Decompose
You might be okay with the stump now, but remember, it will be there for years; depending on the species, some tree stumps even last 20 to 50 years. Your lawn might be stuck with this unattractive, dead piece of wood for possibly as long as you own your property! And of course, with all the rotting and mold-growing, it will start looking even worse. You will likely have to mow around the stump, manage weed growth, and prevent new shoots from sprouting.
If you ever want to plant something else, build a patio, install a garden bed, or simply have a smooth, open lawn, that space is off-limits as long as that stump is there. You are essentially wasting a chunk of your real estate for the next couple of decades.
When to Schedule a Deep Stump Grinding Service in Grapevine
Here at Chippers Tree Service, we offer a standard service, where we grind the visible part of the stump down to just below ground level, around 4 to 6 inches deep. This is all you need if your goal is to plant grass over the area or improve the aesthetics.
With deep-level stump grinding service, on the other hand, we can go anywhere from 12 to 24 inches below ground. This is to make sure the entire root system is removed and there is no risk of regrowth for your future landscaping or hardscaping projects.
If you are in Grapevine, TX, the ideal seasons for this are late fall and early winter because this is the dormant phase for most vegetation. The stump as well as the roots are less likely to send up new saplings during this time, so there are no growth spurts to complicate the process.
Here are some other clear signs that only professional only deep grinding will do the job:
• You have had to cut back shoots more than once in the past 6 months.
• You see signs of sawdust, small holes, or insect activity at the base of the stump, or you notice the wood is soft and breaking apart.
• Mushrooms (honey fungus is the most common one) are growing from the stump or around its base
• The ground nearby feels soft or dips when you walk on it, or sections of your patio or driveway seem uneven.
• The stump is within 20 feet of a septic tank, drain field, or water line.
• It is located on a slope and you have noticed soil shifting or bare spots, or if retaining walls are showing signs of pressure (leaning or cracks).
• You spot dug-out holes, nesting materials, or too many animal sightings (raccoons, squirrels, snakes) around the stump.
• The stump has been sitting for over 5 years and the outer wood feels hard to the touch.
• Your allergies get worse whenever you are near the stump.
Get a Free Quote from the Top ISA Certified Arborists® in Grapevine, TX
At Chippers Tree Service, we recommend grinding the stump as the best way to get rid of it without turning your whole property upside down. It is quick, clean, and doesn’t disturb the underground pipes. We grind the stump right down into mulch – that we can use to re-nourish your yard.
You might have heard about excavating or pulling stumps out with a winch, or using a chemical stump, but none of these are as efficient as grinding. Using heavy equipment to rip them out poses risk to your underground utility pipes, while chemicals soak into the ground and may likely affect your children, pets, water supply and the local wildlife.
Our crew has 30+ years of combined experience removing different sizes of stumps with commercial root grinders and filling the holes after to ensure a sleek ground. And we do not charge extra to haul away the limbs and other debris.
To request stump grinding service for your residential or commercial property in Grapevine, call us at (972) 743-9959 or complete this form.