11 Dec Stump Removal Techniques: Choosing the Right Method for Your Garden
Bringing out the full potential of your garden goes beyond nurturing your living plants and trees. It’s about reclaiming space and harmony. And sometimes, that means dealing with remnants of the past.
Enter stump removal techniques—the best way to transform your garden landscape. From manual removal to stump grinding, each holds its own magic. But how do you choose the right one for your garden’s unique needs?
In this blog, we’ll look into the world of stump removal to explore various techniques and shed light on the importance of selecting the one that aligns perfectly with your garden’s requirements.
TTS Surgery in Perth is here to guide you on a journey of discovery, where we’ll unearth the secrets to a stump-free, thriving garden.
Why Remove Tree Stumps?
Understanding the reasons behind stump removal is the first step towards a flourishing garden landscape. The reasons include:
- Safety hazard: Tree stumps can be a liability when left rooted. It can cause injuries to people who trip over or stumble on it. It can especially be hazardous when you have children in your household. They might not notice the stump while playing, which can cause serious injury to your little ones.
- Spreads infestations and diseases: Tree stumps are vulnerable to unwanted pests and vermin. Pests like carpenter ants, termites, and other wood-boring insects are naturally attracted to tree stumps. Once infected, these pests will appear on other trees and shrubs, causing infestation and disease. These harmful pests might even cause major structural damage when they reach the wooden parts of your home.
- Takes up valuable space: The sight of a tree stump in the middle of your yard can be unsightly. By removing it, you can turn that space into something beneficial, like planting a new tree, setting up a picnic table, or making a space for children to play without safety hazards.
- Can continue to grow: Leaving a tree stump can generate new tree growth. This growth will cause the roots to continue growing underneath, which can cause destruction to the yard, cement, or sewer lines. These roots will also leech moisture and nutrients from the ground, causing other plant life to suffer.
Now that we’ve explored the reasons why tree stumps should be removed, let’s move on to the various tree stump removal techniques you can try.
Chemical Stump Removal: Benefits and Drawbacks
Chemical removal is a method that involves using a chemical stump and root killer that is applied to the stump to kill it from the inside out. It is a viable option for those who prefer to not physically remove the stump.
These products typically use either glyphosate or triclopyr as the active ingredient.Glyphosateis a broad-spectrum herbicide commonly used to control unwanted vegetation, while triclopyris a selective herbicide that targets woody plants like trees and shrubs.
The best time to apply the chemical is in the fall or winter when the tree is dormant, and the sap is not rising. The stump can absorb the chemical effectively when applied during this time, leading to better results.
It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when applying the chemical to ensure it is done safely and successfully.
One of the methods we use here at TTS Tree Surgery is the Eco plug system. A hole is drilled vertically into the stump, and the plug is inserted.
The glyphosate is then released through the stump to the roots, which prevents any new growth or suckers and allows the stump to naturally decay over time. Multiple Eco plugs are often used to ensure the entire root system is affected.
- Benefits of this technique: This method requires little manual labour. It is relatively cheap and do not require heavy machinery.
- Drawbacks: Chemical stump removal is not environmentally friendly. It will speed up the decomposition time, but it will still take weeks or months to fully break down.
Manual Stump Removal: Techniques and Tools
Manual removal is one of the most common methods of removing a tree stump.
This technique involves digging around the stump to expose the roots and then cutting them. Once the roots are cut, the stump can be pulled out of the ground with a stump grinder or other heavy equipment.
Physical removal can be a labour-intensive and time-consuming process, especially for larger stumps.
However, it is a reliable method that ensures the entire stump is removed, including the roots. This is important for preventing regrowth and ensuring the stump doesn’t continue to pose a hazard to your property.
Tools needed for manual tree stump removal:
- Digging bar
- Bow saws
- Shovel
- Axe
- Steel-toed work boots
- Work gloves
- Mattock
How to manually remove a tree stump
- Dig down around the stump
Using the mattock’s broad end, dig the surrounding area of the stump. Remove loosened dirt using a shovel to expose the roots. Keep in mind that the bigger the stump is, the more dirt you will be removing. You can use a hose or pressure water to wash away the dirt and easily cut through the roots.
- Sever visible roots
Once exposed, chop the tree roots using the other end of the mattock. You can also use a bow saw to cut through the roots.
- Expose the tap root
Continue digging and chopping until you reach under the root ball to get through the taproot. Remember to wipe off any excess dirt from the taproot before cutting.
- Sever the tap root
Make sure to clear the area prior to cutting. Once clear, chop the taproot using your axe or bow saw. Directly aim the axe to the taproot to avoid striking the dirt, which can dull the blade.
- Extract the stump
Carefully remove the stump from the hole. It’s best to ask for assistance to help extract the stump from the ground.
Grinding: Quick and Efficient Methods
Stump grinding is a technique that requires minimum labour yet the most efficient method for tree stump removal. This uses specialist machines like stump grinders to mechanically grind out the main root plate, leaving fine sawdust.
While there are tree roots left underground, it will no longer grow and will naturally decay over time.
Out of all the methods, stump grinding is the quickest and most economical way to remove a tree stump. You can also use it to remove any size of tree stump.
Although you can rent stump grinders and remove the stump yourself, they are potentially dangerous to use and are best left for professionals to use.
Before you enquire, think about how you will cover up the ground stump afterwards, as this will determine how deep you need to stump the ground down. Shallow grinding of 25 cm or 10 inches below the surface of the soil is usually enough to allow turf to be laid over the area.
If you’re planning to replant or landscape the area, then you may need to request more depth. Afterwards, it’s best to remove most of the sawdust and fill the hole created by the grinding with topsoil.
If a lot of sawdust gets mixed with the soil around the stump, it’s usually worth adding nitrogenous fertiliser before planting to avoid possible problems with nutrient lockup. Look at mixing in chicken manure pellets or sulphate of ammonia.
Stump grinding generates a lot of fine sawdust. Unless the wood is diseased, it can be used as mulch in other areas of your garden. Sawdust from broadleaf trees, such as the oak, beech, and lime, as well as from conifers like the pine, yew, and larch make excellent mulch—decomposing slowly, moderating soil conditions by absorbing moisture and slowly releasing it back, suppressing weeds and protecting the soil from erosion by the wind and the rain.
Photo by: Fabian Köhler via Pexels
Choosing the Best Technique for Your Needs
With all that being said, keep in mind that each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to check first which method aligns with your budget and garden landscape vision.
However, if you unsure of what technique to go with, it’s best to consult a professional arborist. They are knowledgeable in tree stump removal and can give you advice on what is needed for your specific project so you can make informed decisions.
Conclusion
With the right technique, you’re well on your way to reclaiming the full potential of your garden. At TTS Tree Surgery, we’re here to support your journey toward a stump-free, flourishing outdoor space.
If you’re ready to transform your garden and make the most of your outdoor area, reach out to us today for a free quote and take the first step in making your dream garden landscape a reality