
If you’ve decided, for whatever reason, to have a tree removed, you’ll typically be left with some kind of stump. The height and shape of this will depend on the tree and its maturity at the time of removal.
You’ve got a few options with what to do with the stump, each with its own pros and cons.
Table of Contents
Leaving the stump
The simplest and cheapest solution, however, here are a few things to consider:
- It may become a potential fall or trip hazard.
- Stumps from diseased trees may cause the disease to spread to nearby healthy trees and plants.
- Stumps may attract undesired insects and/or wildlife as stumps make the perfect home for various critters.
Removing the stump
If you choose to remove the stump, you have two main options:
Stump grinding
This is the cheaper of the two options, it’s usually faster and requires less labor. With a specialist stump grinding machine, the stump is ground down to below ground level. This gives the appearance the tree was never there.
However, there are downsides to this method.
- This won’t work if you are planning to use the space for construction or if you want to plant anything else on the spot.
- You’re left with a hollow in the ground.
- If the tree was diseased, the surrounding plants and trees may still be susceptible to that disease.
- It doesn’t remove the roots, so shoots may still appear.
Stump removal
Stump removal in Boston is the more expensive option, but it removes everything, including the root system. This method is ideal if you have plans for the space and ensures no further growth or disease can spread to surrounding plants and trees. When an arborist determines that the roots are causing a problem in your garden, they may recommend stump removal.
However, there are a couple of downsides:
- This leaves an often significant hole which will need filling.
- More expensive and often requires a larger crew.
Is stump removal necessary? Read our other blog post to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you require stump grinding or removal in and around Boston, feel free to call us or use our contact form to require a free, no-obligation quote from our tree specialists. Check out our service area to find out if we have specialists near you.
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