A homeowner is left with a stump after a tree is cut down from their yard. But that stump can’t just sit there until the end of time—it must be removed entirely or ground down into fine sawdust or mulch. As long as the stump is eradicated, the choice between stump removal vs. grinding is ultimately up to the homeowner.
Knowing which route to choose isn’t always easy. But we’re here to help! Continue reading to learn a little bit more about both processes to help you choose which method is best for that ugly stump in your yard.
Why do stumps need to be removed?
Before we get too deep into the weeds regarding grinding or removing that stump, it’d be helpful to understand why stumps have to be removed in the first place. And there are actually a few reasons that tree stumps should be removed or ground down.
Stumps are a tripping hazard and a nuisance in the yard—and mowing around them is a huge pain. They can also attract pests like carpenter ants, beetles and termites looking for a place to live. In addition, new trees can grow around old stumps after a while, which is another hassle in and of itself.
So, to avoid giving yourself a massive headache, you’ll need to bring in an arborist to grind that stump down or remove it once and for all.
What are the benefits of stump removal?
Your first option is removing the stump entirely with heavy machinery. In this process, arborists literally rip the stump and roots out of the ground. Removal is the more laborious and time-consuming method of the two, but it leaves you with a nice open landscape to plant a new tree or grow a new garden.
The biggest downside of stump removal is that it’s a more expensive option, ranging anywhere from $370 to $675 depending on the size of the stump. Removal also leaves a homeowner with a gaping hole in the yard that has to be filled in before the job is finally finished.
Why should you consider stump grinding?
If you don’t want to pay the price for removal or deal with the massive hole left in the ground, consider hiring an arborist to grind that stump down. As the name suggests, this involves using a grinder tool to grind the stump down into sawdust or larger bits of mulch.
The benefits of grinding are that it’s a faster process, it’s less invasive and it’s better for the environment. Additionally, it’s quite a bit cheaper than removal. Grinding costs as little as $100, and you get some free mulch out of the process.
Contact Rocky Mountain Tree Service to handle your stump
Whether you need someone to handle stump grinding or removal, we’re the team for the job. Our certified arborists have over 20 years of industry experience, so you can trust that we’ll get it done right the first time. We also offer a variety of other tree services to keep your yard in tip-top shape.