What does stump grinding involve?
The grinder sweeps side to side across the stump, cutting it down 6 to 12 inches below the soil. Surface roots running out from the stump can be ground too, as far out as you want. The job leaves a mound of wood chips mixed with soil. You can spread the chips as mulch, or we can haul them off and fill the hole with topsoil so it's ready for grass seed. Before grinding, underground utility lines are marked through New Jersey One Call (811).
When should a stump be ground out?
Grind a stump when it's in the way of mowing, a new patio, a fence line, or a garden bed. Stumps also sprout. Maples, Callery pears, and tree of heaven often send up dozens of shoots from the stump and roots after the tree is cut. An old stump left in place can also draw carpenter ants and termites, which is the last thing you want near the house.
Why don't stumps just rot away on their own?
They do eventually, but it takes a long time. A big oak stump can sit for ten years or more. Clay soil slows things down further. It stays wet and low in oxygen, and the fungi that break down wood need air to work. Chemical stump removers only soften the outer layer, so grinding remains the fastest way to be finished with a stump.
What affects the cost of stump grinding?
The width of the stump across the top is the main factor. After that, it depends on how high the stump sticks up, how many surface roots you want removed, and whether the grinder can reach it. Compact grinders fit through most garden gates. Grinding several stumps in one visit, or right after a tree takedown, keeps the cost down because the crew is already there. Hauling chips away and adding topsoil are quoted separately.
Should you grind the stump or dig it out completely?
Grinding handles almost every yard. Digging out the full root ball only makes sense if a foundation or footing is going right where the tree stood. Full excavation tears up a much larger area of lawn and costs more, so we'll only suggest it when the project truly needs it.
What do people ask about stump grinding?
Can grass grow where the stump was?
Yes. Once the wood chips are raked out and the hole is filled with topsoil, grass seed takes like anywhere else in the yard. Leftover chips mixed into the soil can slow grass down for a season, so remove as many as you can.
Will the roots keep growing after grinding?
The roots of most trees die once the stump is gone and slowly break down underground. A few species, like tree of heaven and some maples, can still push up sprouts from roots for a while. Pulling or cutting those sprouts a few times usually finishes them off.
Can I plant a new tree in the same spot?
It's better to plant a few feet away. The old roots and decaying wood make it hard for a young tree to establish right on top of the old stump.
Do you grind stumps another company left behind?
Yes. It doesn't matter who cut the tree or how long ago. Old stumps are often softer and grind faster than fresh ones.