When a tree is removed the stump that is left behind can be in the way and unsightly. Stump grinding is usually the best process of stump removal. There are several reasons you may choose to have a stump removed, including to create more space in your yard, to remove a tripping hazard, or to plant a new tree or landscaping feature in its place.
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There are a few different methods for removing a tree stump, but the most popular method is stump grinding. This process involves the use of a specialized machine called a stump grinder, which has rotating teeth that are designed to chip away at the wood of the stump until it is reduced to small, wood chips or shavings. The grinder is typically mounted on a trailer or truck and is driven to the location of the stump. We have both a large tow behind grinder and a smaller self propelled grinder for hard to reach stumps
One of the first steps in tree removal is to assess the tree and determine if it is truly necessary to remove it. In some cases, a tree may be able to be saved through pruning or other forms of care. However, if the tree is dead or severely damaged, removal may be the only option.
Before the stump grinding process begins we always have MISS Utility mark for underground utilities. Once that is done the area around the stump must be cleared of any debris or obstacles that could get in the way of the grinder. This includes removing any plants or shrubs that may be growing around the stump, as well as any rocks or other objects that could cause damage to the grinder. Once the area is cleared, the grinder is positioned over the stump and the operator begins the grinding process.
The stump grinder works by slowly grinding away at the wood of the stump, using its rotating teeth to chip away at the wood until it is reduced to small wood chips. The process typically takes several hours to complete, depending on the size and condition of the stump. As the grinder works, it generates a lot of wood chips, which are typically left on site to be disposed of or used as mulch in the landscaping.
After the stump grinding process is complete, the area is usually left with a small depression where the stump was located. This depression can be filled in with soil and seeded or sodded, depending on preference. In some cases, the area may be left as is, with the wood chips serving as a natural mulch for the surrounding plants. We can also haul the shavings away if you do not have a use for them.
Price of stump grinding
Stump grinding is one of the easier jobs to give you a very accurate estimate for. With that being said, we do not have a “one size fits all” pricing for our stump grinding. A lot of what we charge has to do with the size of the stump, access for equipment, slope, and other factors.
We offer several options when grinding a stump. Every stump and yard is different and while a simple “grind and go” works in most cases there are other issues that should be considered.
Some of these include:
- Are there underground utilities nearby? We ALWAYS have MISS utility mark before we grind stumps, it is the law. Be very wary of any company that says they can grind your stumps “today”. Having your yard marked for utilities typically takes 72 hours and is something we take care of for you once you decide to use us for your stump grinding needs.
- Has the ground swelled with mulch/soil/roots surrounding the stump? Does this whole raised area need to be ground or just the stump itself?
- Are there major surface roots running away from the stump or elsewhere in the yard? Should we grind every last one, just the really big ones that would be a problem for a mower or should we just do the stump and leave the surface roots?
- How deep should we grind? Are you planting a new tree in its place, if so we need to grind out all of the old stump material so that there is room to plant the new tree. Going back to grass? Usually 6″ is plenty deep to put back soil, seed and straw for new grass.
When grinding your stumps there are several options we offer:
- As mentioned above we can simply “grind and go”. This is the least expensive option as we do no cleanup. We leave the shavings where they lay for you to clean up. If you are planning on using them as mulch or compost this can be a great option since you will be moving them to their final destination anyway.
- An option that allows you to be more hands off is for us to put the shavings back in the hole and clean up. Depending on the size of the stump this may leave a mound of shavings where the stump was. This mound will decompose in time and usually ends up about level with the surrounding ground. With very large stumps this can be impractical as the mound can be 3x the size of the original stump.
- Finally, we can haul the shavings off for you. Depending on the size and location of the stump this can add significant expense. When there are a lot of shavings we sometimes have to bring separate equipment to load and haul them off. Once this is done you can fill the hole with soil and plant grass. Unfortunately we do not have a vacuum big enough for stump shavings so we will not be able to get every last shaving. We will however make sure that the hole is concave with plenty of room for new soil.
Whether you are looking to create more space in your yard, remove a tripping hazard, or plant a new tree or change your landscape design, stump grinding can help you achieve your goals. Give us a call to schedule a free estimate on your stump grinding.
Areas we serve around Virginia
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