For our stump grinding / stump removal services, we use self-propelled, light weight stump grinders. This virtually eliminates lawn damage when getting to and from the stump removal areas.
Our machines are 10′ long & the width of the machine can be brought down to 35″, allowing us to fit through a 36″ fence gate opening. They are powered by 45 h.p. diesel engines, allowing us to grind stumps all year long (even in winter when the ground is frozen).
When we grind stumps, we remove all above-ground roots and the stump swell (the raised area around the stump). Normally, if grinding stumps in areas where you are just going to replace with lawn, grinding to a depth of 6″-8″ is sufficient. If you are planting a shrub in an area where a stump was, inform us, and we’ll grind the stump down as far as possible (around 12″ deep).
If we remove a larger stump (6″ or greater) and you want to plant a tree in the same spot, you have 2 options. Option one is to plant the new tree off to the side of the old stump. Option two, Instead of having us grind the stump, you can have the stump removed with a tree spade.
Digger’s Hotline
Sometimes it is necessary to contact digger’s hotline to mark the areas where the stumps are (there may be underground utilities near the grinding areas). As the contractor, we set this up at no extra cost to the customer.
Stump grinding above ground roots
Occasionally, we get calls from customers requesting us to come out and remove above-ground roots from existing trees. Trees that are causing a problem with lawn mowing or are damaging driveways/sidewalks. The roots of the tree anchor the tree to the ground, as well as providing some of the water and nutrients a tree needs to grow. In these instances, we recommend some other options. Turning the area surrounding the tree into a landscape (mulched) area, for one. Another would be to remove the tree, which may be necessary if the tree is doing more damage than good.
It is not a good idea to change the grade of the soil around the tree. The feeder roots of the tree are located in the upper 12″ of the soil. If you add to much soil to the area, the tree might not be able to get the water and nutrients it needs to continue being a healthy tree.
Close to Windows
In areas close to windows, we set up plywood in front of the windows to avoid small stones from damaging them. We take added care so you don’t have to worry.
Stump grinding clean-up
As part of our clean up, we normally remove the excess stump grindings to level with the surrounding area. This is done at no extra cost. We have 2 other options for you as well.
One is we can grind the stumps and provide no cleanup. This is the most cost-effective way to have your stumps removed. If the majority of the stumps are small, this isn’t a bad idea. Sometimes customers want to keep the grindings to save on cost or to use in a garden area. If you do elect to keep the grindings, be sure to move them before it rains or before they become frozen. Soil and moisture are mixed in with the wood grindings and they become difficult to remove if they get wet or frozen together.
The other is by preparing the area for topsoil and seed by removing the grindings out of the ground areas. This is below grade. There is an additional cost for this option. It is, however, recommended if the stump removal is large.
Here are a few tips:
Before putting down your topsoil, remove as many grindings as possible out of the ground areas. If you don’t, you will get unwanted growth coming up through your new lawn (ex. Mushrooms from wood decaying under the topsoil).
Let it rain a few times or run a garden hose over the area before adding the topsoil and seed. Else, you will end up with a depression in the soil in the area of the stump removal.