Tree Masters allow property owners to create lawns or flower beds where trees once grew. Stump grinders also produce mulch that is widely used in the yard. Here are the answers to frequently asked questions about stump grinders
HOW DEEP CAN THE STUMP GRINDER GO?
We usually grind 4 to 6 inches underground. If deeper milling is required, dead end milling costs may increase but may be requested. However, there are some restrictions on the depth of stump milling. The stump grinder blade is about 10 inches in diameter and can only move up and down a certain distance. Trees growing in shallow soil, such as the limestone prevailing in the Dallas area, may not have a 6” cutting depth. Other materials next to or around the tree may limit the depth of the sander. The stump grinder is very powerful, but it is designed only for processing plant material, wood and soil. Memo:
Fences around the stump, concrete, bricks, or rocks (eg, growth rings) Nearby trees that may have roots under the stump. Swimming pool, paths and terraces. Cords of root material and buried hoses. It is not usually buried deep enough to damage properly installed utility lines or underground cables, but unexpected obstructions can occur that require finer sanding.
What exactly is under tree roots or in the surrounding soil can be a mystery even to homeowners. While we take great care when cutting stumps, we are not responsible for damage to irrigation canals or other underground features that we are not aware of. Before starting work, it is important to inform the arborist of any sprinkler systems or other items that may be in the milling area.
WHAT IS LEFT AFTER A STUMP IS GROUND?
As the blade crushes stumps and roots, a mulch is formed, consisting of woody material and debris. Mulch obtained by plowing a stump can cover much more than the original stump. (It can be helpful to think after grating cheese, such as cheese chunks.) Stubble mulch typically contains fewer available wood particles and more soil, so it degrades faster than other types of mulch, a valuable organic material. My. Our standard practice is to press the mulch back into the milled soil (“backfill”). Despite this, there are usually many piles of mulch left on the ground, far more than the tree owner expected. Due to its composition, mulch settles rather quickly, but many people prefer to use it in their gardens instead of leaving hemp in place. Stump mulch can be used for composting or applied to flower beds. (Depending on the exact composition of your mulch, it may not work as well as regular hardwood mulch and may need to be replaced sooner.) Over time, mulch can settle and leave the area as it accumulates on the ground. Ready to lay the ground, plant a flower bed or plant other small plants. On request, we can provide packaged mulch and/or transport of packaged mulch as an additional service after stubble breaking, but our standard practice is for the factory to leave all mulch in place.
WILL THE TREE COME BACK AFTER A STUMP IS GROUND?
Even with a stump grinder, some tree species can still sprout and grow from roots left underground. Crepe myrtle, Chinese blueberry, prickly pear and Bradford pear are common species in this area and can be very stubborn when transplanted. The sprout that reappears after plowing the stump can be trimmed or pruned and may not eventually grow back because the remaining roots will use up all their energy reserves. Route die-off can be accelerated with the help of commercially available magazines. White vinegar can also be used as an organic alternative to commercial pesticides.
CAN I REPLANT AFTER A STUMP IS GROUND?
We often receive calls to remove trees that need to be replaced. It is not recommended to transplant trees in the same area where the roots were uprooted and stumps removed. Even with deep digging, a branched root system remains in the bowels. An outdated root system can prevent new trees from establishing themselves. If the old tree is diseased, the disease may still be present in the remaining root system and transmitted to the new tree. If you need to repot, you can discuss finding a spot far enough from the tree to reduce the chance of disturbing the old root system. If the tree needs to be replaced in a particular location due to a homeowners association or city restrictions, digging or digging by hand may be your only option.
CAN EVERY STUMP BE GROUND?
When a tree is uprooted (for example, due to a hurricane or root rot), the stump is not so easy to get rid of. If there is a lot of root material above the ground, the stump grinder may not physically be able to reach it. Depending on the type of tree and how it grows, it can carry large amounts of soil, grass, and other underground material as it falls. What remains after breaking open a fallen stump may be more soil than timber material and may not be suitable for use as cover. The weather is also a factor that can determine how and when stump milling can be done. Prolonged rains can cause land flooding. Operating the stump grinder on wet ground will not only result in more mess than normal, but may also result in damage to the surrounding area due to the weight of the machine. Even “regular” stumps may have to wait for the area to dry before sanding.
