After consulting with a qualified and experienced arborist, you made the difficult decision to have one of your trees removed. The tree is gone, but what about the stump? In this article, your Kingsport tree experts at Promier Tree will explore the topic of whether or not tree stumps should be removed.
Reasons to have a stump removed
First and foremost, a stump is an eyesore. It’s going to stick out as a spot of ugliness in even the most perfect outdoor landscape. That also limits the curb appeal of your property.
Second, a stump creates a new obstacle to mow around every week. Failing to navigate it could mean you inadvertently damage your mower, or the stump could pose a higher risk of a tripping hazard.
A stump takes up space. It disrupts the flow of your landscape and some of your options in adding to your outdoor vision. With the stump out of the way, it could create a new spot to plant a tree or a flower bed.
Reasons to remove a stump you May not have considered
A stump is dead, and it’s going to decay over time. That could make your stump a harboring ground for critters and pests—including termites, who can view the dead, dry wood as a new smorgasbord. Meanwhile, stumps take years, if not decades, to decay on their own.
When should a stump be left alone?
Like many things in life, this comes down to location, location, location. Perhaps your stump is too close to the foundation or walls of your home. There may be an issue where it’s near underground utility lines. A stump also might be somewhere that is difficult to access or an especially rocky area where there’s a high risk of flying debris. All of these factors can lead to the choice to keep a stump where it is.
Choose a professional for your stump removal
If you have a tree removed, your best course of action is to have the stump removed at the same time by the same professional company that is already on site. You could try to rent a stump grinder, but it’s going to be a long, expensive day, and if you don’t have the skills to operate the machine, you easily could injure yourself. At Promier Tree, we offer stump grinding services to remove existing stumps or stumps from trees that we remove the same day. Our professional-grade stump grinder can grind the base of the tree as well as any major roots. And, because we are tree experts, we know to grind to the bottom of the root mass and free the root flares, breaking up the system of roots so that the pieces can be removed by hands. That’s the proper, professional way to remove a stump from your property.
Maybe you’ve already had a tree removed, and you’re tired of staring at the stump. Maybe you want to make sure a stump will be taken care of as part of pending tree removal. In either case, the experts at Promier Tree can help. Give us a call at (423) 765-2626 if you’re located in the Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee areas.