When we talk about tree care and tree removals (as we often do at CVTS-L), we generally talk about the higher branches that require aerial lift trucks or manually climbing through the canopy, or we talk about the precision and safety that is required when pruning or removing trees.
Today we want to talk about the part of the tree that gets left behind after a tree removal takes place:
The Stump!
Once is a tree is removed, most folks realize that if they don’t do something with the stump right away, they will be stuck mowing around and dealing with it for a very long time.
But what can be done?
Most people have no idea how to go about removing it, and the “do-it-yourselfers” might attempt to dig it out, pull it out or even rip it out of the ground.
Professional tree care firms, on the other hand, will perform a method of stump removal referred to as stump grinding, which is an effective – as we’ll see when we consider the alternatives – method of removing unwanted stumps from your property.
What Is Stump Grinding?
Stump grinding may not sound very glamorous, and, in fact, many homeowners might not even be aware of it — but that’s what professionals are for!
As a professional tree care firm, not only do we perform the service, but it’s also our job to explain and clarify the entire process so that you can make the best decision for your property — and your budget.
Stump grinding is a process that requires planning at all stages, and whenever problems arise, it’s often due to misunderstandings about how the process works.
Many tree services own stump grinders — machines that safely and effectively remove stumps — but not every company takes the time to explain the full process. At CVTS-L, we make sure you know exactly what to expect, from equipment access to final cleanup.
Four Common Stump Grinding Problems (and Their Solutions)
Here are four things for homeowners to keep in mind when they are hiring for stump grinding work.
Stump Grinding Problem #1: Misconceptions and Misunderstandings
Many of the complaints that people have with stump grinding stem from the fact that they had inaccurate or unrealistic expectations of how the process would work. To correct this, it might be easier to take a moment to talk about what a stump grinder isn’t.
- Stump grinders are not woodchippers. They don’t convert stumps into fine, usable mulch chips or decorative mulch.
- Stump grinders are not saws. They don’t convert stumps into tidy stacks of firewood or sawdust.
- Stump grinders are not vacuums. They don’t collect the shavings into a bag or container for easy disposal.
So…what is a stump grinder?
A stump grinder does exactly what its name implies: it mechanically and hydraulically grinds stumps out of the ground.
It’s as simple as that.
The machine uses a large circular blade or cutter wheel, maneuvered into position by one of our arborists. The carbide-tipped teeth grind wood fibers into stringy debris.
It’s compact enough for one operator but powerful enough that property access must be considered. CVTS-L uses various grinder sizes to work efficiently in tight or wide-open spaces.
Solution: Clear Communication
The solution requires open communication between the homeowner and the tree care service regarding equipment, capabilities, and limitations. Stump grinders do one thing — and they do it very well. When everyone understands that, the process runs smoothly.
Stump Grinding Problem #2: Cleanup Confusion
At CVTS-L, we pride ourselves on leaving our worksites neat, clean and safe, but we also respect homeowners’ “do-it-yourself” spirit and budgetary constraints.
Accordingly, our clients have several cleanup options to choose from, which can be determined by their answers to the following questions:
How deep do you need the stump(s) ground below grade?
- Deep enough to plant grass/lawn depth? (Approx. 6-8 inches deep).
- Deep enough to plant another tree? (Approx. 12-36 inches below grade depending on the age, size and species of tree stump).
- Deep enough for a driveway, excavation or construction foundation/footer? (determined by contractor based on site requirements).
What would you like done with the stump grinding debris?
- Leave all debris as-is on site. We call this the “No Cleanup” option. It is the least expensive option, but it requires more effort on the part of the homeowner.
No cleanup. - Backfill it into the hole. We take the stump debris and backfill it into the stump hole, making the stump grindings level with the grade around it. We then haul away the excess stump grinding debris. This is the mid-range price.
Backfilled into hole. - Leave the hole empty. We remove all of the stump debris and leave the hole empty. The hole is then ready for topsoil or replanting grass or even another tree. This is the most expensive of the three options because it involves the most time and labor.
Debris removed – empty hole. - Custom landscaping options. CVTS-L will also offer landscaping solutions once the hole is empty, such as: adding topsoil to the hole, sowing grass seed, adding straw matting or Penn Mulch, etc. These options come with additional material and labor costs.
Custom landscaping – replacement tree.
For those who opt to clean up the stump grinding mess themselves, it is important that they understand exactly what it is that they are agreeing to.
As we mentioned before, stump grinders are not woodchippers, saws or vacuums. The remnants of stump grinding are stringy bits of acidic, heavy and dense wood fibers, and the stump grindings are not suitable for mulch or really any other practical landscaping purposes. On a rare occasion, the grindings might be usable for keeping mud down on a walking trail, but that’s about it.
Additionally, the stump grindings are likely to include whatever materials the roots were growing in: stones, roots, native subsoil, as well as topsoil. This mixture of debris will be a loosely scattered pile surrounding the area and the hole where the stump once was.
Solution: Let the Pros Handle It
We recommend letting us manage the cleanup — we have the trucks, loaders, and manpower needed to handle heavy, acidic stump debris safely. Homeowners often underestimate how much waste even a small stump can create!
Stump Grinding Problem #3: Visible Surface Roots
As you may have noticed around your yard or neighborhood, certain types of trees have shallow-growing root systems. Some of these root systems are visible at grade or above, and anyone who has hit one of these roots while mowing certainly can speak of the damage that they can cause to your own mowing equipment.
All types of maples, hybrid poplars, honey locusts and willows are just a few examples of trees that have a shallow root system extending only 4-8 inches into the ground.
Not only are they shallow, but these root systems may extend as far as 20 feet from the base of the tree. We have actually seen them extend as far as 50 feet out!
At CVTS-L, we are trained to look for these surface roots and include their removal with our stump grinding services. Sometimes the removal of these roots may require cutting or chopping them out with a very sharp ax. It might also require additional grinding with the stump grinding machine if they are very large. But rest assured, we will make them disappear.
Solution: Full-Service Root Removal
A professional tree care company should investigate and explain exactly what your property will look like once the work is complete. Some firms skip surface roots — we don’t. At CVTS-L, we ensure they’re removed for both safety and aesthetics.
Stump Grinding Problem #4: Root Suckers
With certain types of trees, after the stump is ground out and the stump grindings have been removed, another type of problem could just be beginning.
Previously, we discussed how to handle “visible” roots, but what about the ones you can’t see?
Depending on the size and species of the tree, stump grinders can up leaving much of the “nonvisible” root system intact under the surface of the lawn. For some trees, this is fine as it is, and it spares the homeowner the trouble of tearing up an area that is roughly the size of the tree’s canopy.
But for other trees (notably fruit-bearing trees, honey locusts, ailanthus, sweet gums, mulberries, hybrid poplars, bamboo and other invasive species), the roots will not only survive but continue to grow.
Instead of creating food, the roots have already stockpiled enough food to continue growing for another two-to-three years. The roots themselves being to grow sucker sprouts. To the homeowner it will seem as if they had removed one tree only to have dozes of saplings take its place. Unfortunately, at that point, there isn’t much that can be done. The homeowner will have to keep the sprouts cut off or mowed over, and, eventually, they will die off.
Solution: Immediate Herbicide Treatment
To prevent regrowth, a certified applicator should apply herbicide within 30 minutes of stump removal. The treatment travels through the root system, killing unseen roots and stopping future suckers before they start.
How Professional Stump Grinding Benefits Your Property
Beyond simply removing an eyesore, stump grinding offers real long-term benefits:
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Improved lawn appearance and easier mowing.
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Elimination of pest habitats, such as termites and carpenter ants.
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Increased usable yard space for landscaping, planting, or recreation.
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Enhanced safety, preventing tripping hazards and lawn equipment damage.
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Healthier soil once old roots and decay are removed.
Removing a stump isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about maintaining the health and safety of your entire landscape.
Plan Ahead for the Best Results
As with many aspects of tree care – but especially with stump grinding – it is substantially easier to address potential problems before the process has begun. When everyone involved has a clear idea of what to expect from the process, the cleanup and the aftercare, the process will be successful.
Most problems arise because people misunderstood the nature of the equipment, the process by which the stump would be removed, the messiness of the process, the volume of resultant stump debris created, or the potential post-grinding problems (such as root suckers) that can take years to remedy.
Hiring companies that are experienced with the equipment, knowledgeable about trees, and trained to guide customers through the process from beginning to end will aid homeowners in making optimum decisions prior to the removal – eliminating the problems before they even have a chance to occur.
Ready to Reclaim Your Yard?
Don’t let an old stump take up space in your landscape. Whether you’re preparing to plant new grass, pave a driveway, or simply enjoy a smoother, cleaner lawn — CVTS-L’s stump grinding services get to the root of the problem.
