Why is Tree Stump Removal Necessary?

Doug Bedford August 13, 2015

Why is Tree Stump Removal Necessary?

When you hire our Memphis tree service team to remove a tree from your yard, you will decide whether you want tree stump removal services as well. It can be easy to forget about the stump when you’re having a tree removed, but it’s important for you to know the benefits of stump removal and the problems that could arise from leaving a stump where it is. Therefore, we typically advise tree stump removal, and we also usually advise that you don’t attempt it on your own. This post details our reasons behind this advice, and explains how we can help you with tree stump removal.

What Happens if You Don’t Remove Tree Stumps?

If you have already decided to part with a tree for the safety of your property and family and the health of your yard, then there isn’t much reason to keep the stump. In fact, it too can be dangerous and detrimental to your yard. Here is a basic overview of the kinds of problems that tree stumps can cause if they aren’t removed.

The physical presence of a tree stump in your yard can pose a safety hazard for those who cross it. For instance, imagine a child “going long” for a touchdown pass in a game of family football and tripping backwards over the stump. When the stump starts to get covered by grass or weeds, you might accidentally run over it while cutting the grass, which could damage or break your lawn mower, causing you have to pay for repairs or buy a new one. When you do remember it’s there, it just becomes a difficult obstacle as you try to cut the grass around it without touching the stump.

Also consider the space limitations a large stump could create in your yard. The tree that was there provided shade and beautiful scenery, but the stump just occupies the space without any aesthetic appeal. There will be plenty of times that you wish it wasn’t there, like if you want to host a backyard bbq and you could really use the space for another table. Speaking of aesthetics, what if you put your house on the market, and an unsightly stump turns buyers away because it diminishes your home’s curb appeal?

It’s not just the stump itself you have to worry about either. Stumps can take nutrients from surrounding plants you actually do want to grow, and stumps’ decay can breed fungus that infects nearby trees, which may then need to be chopped down too. Even worse, decaying stumps can house termites, ants, beetles, wood wasps, snakes and rodents, all of which can cause damage to your yard and your house, as well as harm you and your family. Ridding these tree pests of your property and repairing what they damaged can be costly and time consuming.

Probably worst of all would be having the tree grow back from the stump, which is made possible by energy the tree stores in its roots through photosynthesis. The stump can then produce a multi-trunked tree that will be an even bigger eyesore than the stump and can be even more hazardous than the original tree. The new tree and the old stump also become harder to permanently kill and remove over time, so it’s easier to remove the stump initially, along with the original tree.

Why Should You Hire a Tree Stump Removal Service?

Tree stump removal is a very difficult task because you’re fighting a deep system of roots, so hiring a professional stump removal service is your best option. DIY tree stump removal methods using chemicals can last for months, and it can be highly dangerous to handle toxic chemicals on your own. Also, if you chose to try removing the stump yourself, you would probably have to buy or rent tools, which combined with the time and effort, may outweigh the fee you would pay a professional service.

A professional tree service like Red’s will be able to diagnose and execute the best removal method for the type, size, age and health state of your stump. Our tree stump removal team has the heavy duty equipment necessary to perform stump grinding efficiently and the training to complete the task safely. We also have the knowledge and expertise to answer any questions you may have about surrounding pipes and wires, or what can grow in the remaining space. Additionally, a tree service like ours can recycle or dispose of the debris, so you don’t have to worry about taking it somewhere or arranging for the city to pick it up.

Your Memphis Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Service

After we have removed the stump, the hole can be filled with soil and topped with grass seed, followed by mulch hay. Water the area as you normally would when growing grass, and enjoy the extra space in your yard! If after reading this post you have decided to have a stump in your yard removed, please don’t hesitate to give our Memphis tree service a call.