If you recently had a tree removed, you may not be sure if you should have the stump removed too. This can be a difficult decision because there are pros and cons. Most of the benefits you hear about are for trees around houses and are typically not in the woods or similar areas. Although, most experts agree that tree stump removal in Pittsburgh is the best choice in any situation. To learn more from the experts, click here.
The stump may appear harmless, but there are some things below the ground that you can’t see. The tree itself may be gone, but the root system is still there and growing. The root system can damage your home or other trees. It can harm the health of existing plants and even your loved ones. Tree stumps can also look unsightly in your yard and ruin the entire look of your landscaping, decreasing the value of your home.
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Why Is Professional Tree Stump Removal Essential?
One of the most common reasons people choose to have tree stumps removed is they make their lawn look ugly. If you’re trying to sell your home and have stumps in your yard, it will ruin your landscaping, plus you’ll get a lower offer for your home.
The stump takes up valuable space without serving any real purpose. You could plant a tree there that would create shade for your yard. You may also decide to add yard furniture, a shed, or an area to play games.
It makes yard work more difficult. For example, when mowing your yard, you have to go around the stump, and if you can’t see it, you may even run it over, damaging your mower. You also have to weed around, so that takes longer and makes yard work more difficult.
The tree stump will eventually start to decay, spreading disease and possibly mold. It can attract pests like carpenter ants, termites, and other wood burrowing insects. Mice, rats, and similar animals may move into the rotting tree and then move into your home. Once the tree is infected, it will continue to expand to other trees around your home. Mold and fungi love trees. They provide the perfect environment for growth. The spores are easily spread wind and will end up affecting your garden area.
The tree stump is a safety hazard. If you have friends and family over and you’re outside, they may trip and fall over the stump, which may cause injuries that may lead to lawsuits or severe health conditions.
It may cause damage to your property. The roots continue growing and can spread into underground pipes and sewage lines, causing them to break. If roots are too close to your home, it may also cause the foundation to lift and may even break it.
Unless the tree is entirely removed, there’s a chance a new tree could grow out of the stump. This is because nutrients are still going into the stump since it’s living. The fresh sprouts are going to make removing the stump more expensive. With a tree growing through the trunk, it’s going to become more of an eyesore than the original one was.
Benefits of Having the Tree Stump Removed
The benefits are the opposite of the reasons you should have them removed. By removing the stump, it helps to ensure the safety of visitors that come to your house. You no longer have to worry about them tripping or falling. It also makes it easier to take care of your lawn, plus you no longer have to worry about hitting the stump with your lawnmower.
You no longer have to fret about pests or diseases spreading to your house or other trees when you have them removed. It increases your property value not only because it looks better with the stump gone but also because you can plant something there to take its place. Sometimes tree stumps will sprout a tree in the middle of it, making an ugly tree with two stumps.
The final benefit is you no longer have to worry about the tree causing damage to your home roots growing under your foundation, pushing it up, or breaking it. The roots won’t go into your septic tank, blocking it and making it back up. Additionally, they won’t be able to grow into water lines causing expensive issues there as well.
Process and Cost of Stump Removal Services
The process is pretty simple. The professionals will inspect the area and discuss with you the best option to remove the tree stump. They may give you choices such as stump grinding, hand digging, backhoe removal, and the chemical method. Some of these options will depend on the size of the tree and how easy it is to remove. It’s unlikely if a tree has to be removed a backhoe, you’d have the option to have it chemically removed.
Stump Grinding
Stump grinding is one of the best ways to remove stumps permanently. First, a stump grinding machine is used to destroy the stump and its roots. The professionals will put on all of their protective gear, position the device over the stump, and then begin moving the stump grinder around the circumference of the tree. Once it’s ground, they’ll dig out the ground-up wood and replace it with filler materials.
Hand Digging
Hand digging is an option for smaller stumps that don’t have a lot of roots. The professionals will dig around the base of the stump until the roots are exposed. They will then cut the roots down using loopers. They will then pull all of the roots and pull the stump out as well.
Backhoe Removal
When using a backhoe to remove a stump, the professionals will figure out the stump’s size to get the right size excavator. They will also examine the type of soil they’re working with. The easiest ground to work with is sand, while clay is the most challenging. The excavator will then dig a trench. It will be a big trench most of the time since the root system needs to be removed as well.
Once the roots are located, they’ll put the stump away from the roots so that they start coming up. The next thing is to scoop out the part of the stump and move it away from the hole. They’ll have to move the tree pretty far to make sure the roots are gone. Once the roots and stump are gone, then they fill the hole with soil. Plus, they’ll grind the stump and root down to make sure the ground is solid. Once it’s all filled, they’ll roll over it and then pat it down with the shovel. Adding herbicide for a while will help prevent new sprouts from forming.
Chemical Method
The chemical method uses significant drill bits to drill into the stump in evenly placed holes. Chemicals are then poured into the stump to kill it off.
The Average Cost of Tree Stump Removal
This depends on the size of the stump. You can expect to pay anywhere from $150-200. Large tree stumps that need to be ground down will cost more than smaller ones with shorter roots. Another factor in the cost is what equipment is required and how many workers will have to go.
Stump Removal Is Not A DIY Project
As you read above, removing a tree stump can be difficult and quite complicated. This is especially true if you want to make sure it’s done right. A professional company will come in and inspect your stump. Once they finish with that, they will discuss all of your options and the cost for tree stump removal in Pittsburgh. A professional will always save you both time and money in the long run.