Tree stumps take up yard space and are unsightly, but they don’t hurt anything, right?
Wrong.
No matter the size, stumps left in the ground pose health and safety risks. Let’s take a look at a few of them:
Safety hazards
If anyone is walking or playing in your yard, tree stumps present hazards, potentially creating liability issues. People can stub a toe or trip over a tree stump, causing physical harm. The stump, itself, can cause harm if someone falls on it.
Additionally, drivers could run over the tree stump if it’s in close proximity to a driveway, and mowers may be broken by running over the stump, especially if it’s camouflaged by grass or weeds. Running into a stump with lawn mowing equipment could also harm the equipment operator.
Obstacles
Speaking of mowing, tree stumps serve as an obstacle when mowing and weed-eating a yard. Because the root systems are so expansive — and sometimes continue to grow even when the tree, itself, is gone — gardening or planting in close proximity to the tree stump is difficult, if possible.
Spawning other growth
Tree stumps often lead to new tree growth around the stump. These shoots are stubborn and need almost constant attention to keep them clipped down; otherwise, they lead to even more unsightliness in your yard. Meanwhile, the shoots steal moisture and nutrients from other nearby plants that you’re actually trying to grow.
Insect invasions
Decomposition makes old tree stumps a breeding ground for insects and other pests. Ant species, for instance, make nests in old tree stumps, and as the nest grows, ants overtake nearby spaces, too — including your home. Termites, snakes, rodents and bees love to make tree stumps their homes, and colonies eventually grow and spread to other nearby places. Ridding trees and homes of these pests is expensive and time-consuming.
Arborists in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
While tree stumps seem harmless, they can actually cause a multitude of problems, from tripping hazards to becoming breeding grounds for insects and unwanted rodents and reptiles. Tree-stump grinding can cure all these potential issues. Our professional ISA-certified arborists in the Tri-cities area at Promier Tree would love to answer any questions you may have about tree stumps in your yard. Give us a call at (423) 872-2988, or contact us online today.