Once your tree removal team finishes their work, you must decide what to do with the resulting stump. While a few crafty homeowners repurpose them as natural tables or game boards, the rotting wood may attract many pests, including mice and termites. The decision generally comes down to two options: stump grinding and removal. Here’s a closer look at each to help you determine which is right for your landscaping needs.

Stump Grinding vs. Removal

Grinding

Stump grinding requires a hydraulic cylinder machine with rotating cutting disks. The disks remove the decaying wood about 6 inches below the soil surface but leave the root system intact. Many homeowners use the resulting wood chips as mulch.

Grinding services don’t leave holes in residential properties, nor do they require as many tools and equipment as stump removal services.

Grinding also costs less than removal and is regarded as environmentally friendly because the wood breaks down to provide the soil with extra nutrients. However, the decaying wood beneath the ground can still sprout, attract pests, or create a tripping hazard if it’s not backfilled with dirt.

Removal

Stump removal eliminates the stump as well as the entire root ball, which can be up to 10 times the size of the tree. Backhoes or excavators are typically used to pull the stump and root system from the ground. This complete eradication makes re-sprouting issues impossible.

While the process costs more due to the labor and equipment involved, stump removal helps keep pests out of your yard so you can enjoy a healthier property. The technique leaves a sizable hole, but backfilling with soil or dirt prevents the gap from becoming a safety hazard. 

Whether stump grinding or removal is right for your property, count on John Waldrop with John Waldrop & Son Tree Service to do the job right. The certified tree climbers and arborists at this locally owned company in Commerce, GA, offer over 30 years of experience and are available 24/7. Call (706) 335-6955 today to schedule stump grinding or removal. Learn more about this member of the Georgia Arborist Association online.