Stump grinding involves the use of a machine to grind a stump down into nothingness. These machines typically have a toothed, rotating blade that can cut through roots of all sizes and cut the stump itself down into smaller chips. Grinding is different than removal. Removal involves digging down around the stump to free it and lift it out of its cavity. Grinding is generally preferable as it requires much less disruption to the landscape and potentially hardscapes around the stump. Here are three other interesting facts about stump grinding that you may not know.

1. Stump Grinding Produces Green Waste

The overall environmental impact of stump grinding can be low, but achieving that requires some consideration. Grinding a stump produces a lot of wood chips, which are green waste, as long as you use them appropriately. You can have the grinding company take it away for you. If you plan to go that route, you may want to ensure that they will dispose of it in an eco-friendly manner.

There are many ways to use the wood chips yourself. You can use them to fill the hole, but it’s generally best to do that with soil. We often recommend storing the wood chips to be used later as mulch for your yard and trees. If you compost, you can also get rid of the wood chips in that manner.

2. There Is a Wide Variety of Stump Grinders

There is no one type of grinder, and you should ideally have the right grinder or grinders for the particular job. This is another reason it is best to hire a professional. Handlebar grinders are small, lightweight, and effective when you need to maneuver the grinder. Wheeled stump grinders are necessary when dealing with large stumps. Some units have skids instead of wheels. This works well on soft ground. Riding grinders are like bobcats. They’re often four-wheel drive in order to deal with stumps in challenging locations, including on the side of a hill.

3. It’s Usually OK to Leave the Roots in Place

While tree root removal is possible, it can be disruptive to the lawn. We generally don’t recommend it unless the tree roots affect the lawn’s growth and other trees and plants. In most cases, the roots will just disintegrate over time. Some homeowners worry about pests as they do, but you can treat for that.

Removing a tree is always going to leave behind a stump. While you can just leave it there, having it professionally ground is better. It eliminates the safety hazard and avoids the instability that will occur in that area of the yard over time. If you live in Ocala, FL and need stump grinding, call Cordwin Tree Service today, or contact us online.