Tree Stumps

Tree Stumps

How to get rid of tree stumps is one of the most frequently asked question in the industry. Once you have had a tree removed you are left with a typically unsightly reminder, the stump. Tree stumps are an eyesore, a tripping hazard, and they can attract unwanted pests like termites or even fungi and bacteria. If left to simply decay and rot away on its own, without any sort of treatment, a stump can take up to ten years to disappear. When it comes to rotting a tree stump in Utah, the rate of decay depends on many different factors such as species of tree, size of the tree, and the climate and weather conditions.

As your leading Utah arborist, we do stump grinding in the Utah and surrounding area, although due to the demand we do have to limit our grinding services and can only offer it to current tree service clients and not as a standalone service.

To remove a tree stump you can try to tackle the job yourself, although stump grinders are quite heavy and can be difficult to use at times. So how do you get rid of a tree stump then? What is the best way? Well, the answer is in the original suggestion of letting it rot away, but doing so quickly.

How To Get Rid Of A Tree Stump Fast?

The fastest way to remove a tree stump, with and without using a grinder, is the chemical method. By applying chemicals to holes drilled into the stump, you speed up the natural decay process and the remaining tree fibers and roots will break down much more quickly. It is considered one of the best ways to remove a tree stump from your yard. Here is how to use this method by following these steps.

DIY Steps To Rotting A Tree Stump From A Leading Arborist:
Begin on a dry day or after a number of dry days if possible. This way the tree stump will be looking for liquid and nutrients and will soak up the chemicals faster.

If you are capable, use a chainsaw to cut the remaining part of the tree as close to the ground as possible. By doing this the chemicals will have less material to eat through. Chainsaws can be dangerous though, so make sure you always use caution, wear steel-toed boots and eye protection.

Once the tree stump is as close to the ground as you can comfortably get it to go, drill a number of holes into the top of the stump and along the sides in a downward direction. The bigger the drill bit the better, and each of the holes should be a few inches deep.
After drilling the holes into the stump in different places, you will apply the chemicals that will break down the remaining wood. Utah does have strict legal restrictions about the kind of chemicals you can purchase for this sort of project. Ideally, you would want a commercial fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, since it will give you the fastest results, but cow manure is also effective. Another more natural alternative is Epsom salt. It is also a cost-effective solution as a 19lbs page starts at $10. It has similar dissolving properties to nitrogen but is a more organic approach. When you have chosen the chemical you will use, pack the holes with as much of it as you can.

Then soak the ground around the stump and wet the top and sides of the stump. After the stump is wet, cover it with a plastic tarp to trap the moisture around the stump. Moisture is ultimately what will help the chemicals break down the wood particles faster.
The next step is to apply mulch over the top of the plastic tarp. Organic mulch, like hay or tree bark, is best for this task as it will retain more moisture and help to keep the tarp in place.

You can use rocks and stones to weigh down the tarp further to help keep it in place, although this step is considered optional.
Once you have completed all of these steps, you are officially rotting a tree stump. This process is a speeding up of nature, and we all know that nature can take its time, so you should expect that it will take some time to work. How can you speed up the stump rot process even more? You can repeat the rotting steps periodically if you notice the mulch has grown dry.

How Much Does It Cost To Remove A Stump?

The overall cost for a stump removal is largely dependent on the method you choose to use. If you chose to do it yourself, it would be the cost of materials needed. Whereas, if you live in the nearby Utah area, with easy access to the stump, the average cost is about $6 per inch in diameter with $150-$200 minimum charge.

Looking To Remove a Tree Stump Quickly?

Ultimately, the quickest way to remove your tree stump and return your yard to a flat surface is the method of stump grinding. Although our grinding services are limited, if you are in need of a tree removal service in the Utah, area, or if you are looking to get some stumps removed don’t hesitate to contact the tree experts.

If you’re not a current or past tree client and have a stump you’d like removed, read more about stump rot and how to safely remove the tree stump yourself.

When your stump is ground, you can expect that there will be no masses of the stump left underground. The stump grindings, which are the wood shavings from the stump mixed with dirt, are left behind. You can use these grindings as mulch around your yard. Please remove the grindings prior to replanting any plants or trees in that area.

Stump Grinding FAQs

What is the average cost for stump grinding?

If you live in the nearby Utah Metro area with easy access to the stump, stump grinding cost averages about $6 per inch in diameter with a $150-$200 minimum. Anything that makes the stump harder to access and remove such as a fence or retaining wall or anything breakable such as a flagstone patio would increase the price from there. Also removing the stump grindings is almost always an additional charge.

Is It better to grind a stump or remove it?

There are many ways how to get rid of tree stumps, and there are advantages and disadvantages for either removing a stump or grinding it. For removing a stump the advantage is there is no stump grinding left behind. The disadvantages are that removing all but the smallest stumps usually requires large equipment such as a loader or excavator. In addition, it is usually pretty hard to find a place to dispose of them. For grinding a stump the advantages are that it can be done to almost any stump in any location or a reasonable fee and the disadvantages are that the grinding as usually left behind for the property owner to deal with.

Can you grind down a tree stump with a chainsaw?

There are stump grinders that attach to a chainsaws powerhead, but grinding a stump with a regular chainsaw would be exceptionally difficult as the chain would dull every time it hit even a small amount of dirt. It also sounds very dangerous.

Can I use ground up tree stump as mulch?

Yes, a ground-up tree stump makes an excellent mulch product.

How much does it cost to rent a stump grinder from Home Depot?

In the Utah Metro area $299 per day and $209 for 4 hours as of 3/20/19 to rent a grinder for stump removal in Utah, OR.

Does stump grinding kill roots?

No, in fact, the roots are sometimes spurred to grow more from the shock of having the tree removed and stump ground out.

Does tree removal include the stump?

The answer is almost always no. The removal of the stump in the ground is for an additional fee. Tree removal bids are very specific so any extra services such as stump grinding, wood removal, or tree removal permits are not included unless expressly stated.

Will tree stumps attract termites?

Yes, but not all termites will damage your home. It will take an exterminator to determine which kind you have should your stump become infested.

Can a tree grow back from a stump?

Depending on the type of tree they can grow back but this would not be a tree that you would want to keep as its structure would be compromised and thus it would be likely to fail and damage your property.

Contact the tree experts about stump removal in Utah

If you live in the Utah area and are looking to have a tree removed and are also interested in stump removal and grinding contact our nearby team of Utah stump grinding service professionals.

Tree Removal Richfield Utah

Tree Removal Richfield Utah

WHAT IS TREE REMOVAL?

When providing a proposal for a tree removal, an arborists also evaluate the site for tree REMOVAL. While having the tree ground is not always necessary, many people prefer to deal with the tree at the same time as having the tree removed. Tree removal allows the property owner to use the area where the tree once stood for laying sod or planting a flower bed. The tree grinder also produces mulch that has many uses around the yard. Here are answers to some common questions we get about tree removal.

HOW DEEP CAN THE TREE GRINDER GO?

They generally grind four to six inches below grade (ground level). If deeper removal is needed, it can be requested, although the richfield of tree removal may increase. The depth to which a tree can be ground is subject to some limitations, however. The tree-removal blade has a diameter of about 10 inches, and can only be maneuvered up and down within a specific range.

A tree that grew in shallow soil, such as over the limestone bedrock prevalent in the Richfield area, may not have six inches of grindable depth.

Other material near or around the tree may limit how deep the grinder can go. While the tree grinder is powerful, it is only designed to handle plant material, wood, and dirt. Take note of:
Fencing, concrete, brick, or rock around a tree (such as a tree ring)
Nearby trees that may have roots under the tree
Swimming pools, walkways, and patios that may prevent the grinder from reaching all of the root material
Lawn irrigation, sprinkler systems, tree lighting wiring, and buried hoses
We generally do not grind deep enough to risk interfering with properly-installed utility lines or buried cables, but unforeseen obstacles can be encountered that necessitate a shallower grind.
What exactly lies beneath the roots of a tree or the surrounding soil may be a mystery, even to the homeowner. While we are very careful when removal a tree, we will not take responsible for damage to irrigation lines or other items located below ground that we are not aware of. It is important to inform your arborist of any sprinkler systems or other objects that might be in the area to be ground before the work begins.

WHAT IS LEFT AFTER A TREE IS GROUND?

As the blade grinds the tree and surface roots, it produces a mulch made up of tree material and dirt. The mulch produced by tree removal can take up a much greater volume than the original tree. (It can be helpful to think of the difference between a block of cheese and that same cheese after it is grated.)

Mulch from tree removal is valuable organic material that decomposes more quickly than many other kinds of mulch, as there are generally smaller wood particles present, and more soil to help it break down. It is our standard practice to push the mulch back into the area that has been ground (“backfilling”). Even so, there is usually a large pile of mulch left above ground, often much more than the tree owner expected. Because of its composition, the mulch does settle fairly quickly, but many people prefer to use the mulch around their yards, rather than leaving it where the tree once was.

Tree grinder mulch can be used for composting or applied in flower beds. (Depending on exact composition of the mulch, it may not perform in the same way as typical hardwood mulch, and may need to be replaced sooner.) After some time, when the mulch has settled, it can be packed into the ground-out area, making the area ready to be prepped for laying sod or for planting a flower bed or other small plants. If requested, we can provide mulch bagging and/or bagged mulch haul-off as an additional service after tree removal, but our standard practice is to leave all grinder mulch on-site.

WILL THE TREE COME BACK AFTER A TREE IS GROUND?

Even with tree removal, some species of tree can still send up shoots and new growth from the roots left below ground. Crape myrtles, chinaberry trees, hackberries, and Bradford pears are some common species in the area that can be very persistent in growing back. The sprouts that return after tree removal can be trimmed or mown down and will eventually stop coming back, as the remaining roots use up their energy reserves. Commercially-available woody stem killer can be used to accelerate the dieback of the roots. White vinegar can also be used as an organic alternative to commercial root killer.

CAN I REPLANT AFTER A TREE IS GROUND?

We are often contacted about removing a tree that the owner would like to replace. We do not recommend trying to re-plant trees in the same area where a tree was removed and the tree ground. Even with a deep grind, an extensive root system remains underground. The old root system can interfere with the new tree’s attempts to become established. Furthermore, if the old tree had a disease, that disease may still be present in the remaining root tissue, and can be transmitted to the new tree. When replanting is desired, we can discuss finding a location that is far enough from the removed tree to lessen the likelihood of interference from the old root system. If homeowners’ association or municipal restrictions require a tree to be replaced in a certain location, excavation or hand digging may be the only options.

CAN EVERY TREE BE GROUND?

In the case of a tree becoming uprooted (because of storm damage or root rot, for example), the tree cannot be dealt with as easily. If there is a large amount of root material above ground, the tree grinder may be physically unable to reach it. Depending on the type of tree and how it grew, it may pull up a great deal of dirt, turf grass, and other underground material when it falls. What is left after removal an uprooted tree may be more dirt than tree matter, and may not be suitable for use as mulch.

Weather is also a factor that can determine how and when tree removal can be performed. A long period of rain can cause the soil to become waterlogged. Operating a tree grinder in heavy, wet soil can not only make a bigger mess than usual, but can damage the surrounding area due to the weight of the machine. It may be necessary to wait until the area dries out before attempting even a “standard” tree grind.

If a customer has a special circumstance, like an uprooted tree, or there are multiple trees in one area to be ground, we always send an arborist to assess the situation before providing a quote or scheduling the tree grinder.

HOW MUCH DOES TREE REMOVAL COST?

The cost of tree removal is dependent upon three main factors: the size of the tree, the location of the tree, and how deep the grinder needs to go. While we generally provide a tree removal richfield when we give a quote for tree removal, we are also happy to evaluate any other trees you may want to have ground.

HOW DO I MEASURE A TREE?

The base cost for tree removal is determined by the diameter of the tree in inches, including any above-ground roots. This measurement can be taken before or after a tree is removed. To get the right measurement, it is important to go “from dirt to dirt.” This means measuring from the tree edge or root point (where it touches the dirt) farthest from the trunk to the opposite edge or root point. It is also important to measure from different directions and to take an average measurement, as this most accurately reflects the area to be ground. The “dirt-to-dirt” measurement can be quite a bit larger than the diameter of the tree trunk, and we do see situations where the tree removal is more costly than removing the above-ground tree.
This is a 75-inch tree, measured “dirt to dirt” at the yellow line. Measuring on the trunk is inaccurate: if this tree were measured at the red line, the result would only be 37 inches, which is not the actual area to be ground. Even after a tree is cut down, properly measuring a tree can be tricky when there is a root flare and surrounding vegetation.

CAN THE TREE GRINDER REACH MY TREE?

Our standard tree grinder is a machine that is seven feet long and three feet wide. At the front is a rounded blade (similar to the tip of a chainsaw) that chips away wood as it moves across the tree. The tree grinder is designed to fit through standard gates, but some older or narrow gates may not be able to accommodate it. The weight of the machine may also prevent it from reaching certain areas without damaging walkways or ground cover. While the removal blade has some maneuverability, clearance of at least seven feet on one side of the tree is required to allow the grinder to access the area to be ground. In smaller areas with less clearance, it is possible to use our smaller tree grinder, but this can increase the time and cost of the procedure.

CAN I JUST LEAVE THE TREE?

It is not necessary to grind or otherwise remove a tree after a tree is taken down. We have customers who request a tree not be cut all the way to ground level, and use the remaining tree as a plant stand, table base, or just a yard feature. Even if the tree is cut close to the ground, it can last several years. Preservative coatings can also be applied to prolong the life of a standing tree.

Some homeowners prefer to let a tree decompose naturally over time. Old trees can become habitats for fungi, insects, and other creatures. As the tree breaks down, it can become rich organic material that can be added to compost or used in planting. If a tree is left unground, however, it can continue to send out new growth for years after the tree has been removed. Drilling holes in the tree and filling with Epsom salt or using commercial tree killer can accelerate tree dieback, but those chemicals can be toxic to surrounding plant life. Treating the tree with chemicals can also make the area hazardous to people and pets.

Tree Removal Park City Utah

Tree Removal Park City Utah

WHAT IS TREE REMOVAL?

When providing a proposal for a tree removal, an arborists also evaluate the site for tree REMOVAL. While having the tree ground is not always necessary, many people prefer to deal with the tree at the same time as having the tree removed. Tree removal allows the property owner to use the area where the tree once stood for laying sod or planting a flower bed. The tree grinder also produces mulch that has many uses around the yard. Here are answers to some common questions we get about tree removal.

HOW DEEP CAN THE TREE GRINDER GO?

They generally grind four to six inches below grade (ground level). If deeper removal is needed, it can be requested, although the price of tree removal may increase. The depth to which a tree can be ground is subject to some limitations, however. The tree-removal blade has a diameter of about 10 inches, and can only be maneuvered up and down within a specific range.

A tree that grew in shallow soil, such as over the limestone bedrock prevalent in the Park city area, may not have six inches of grindable depth.

Other material near or around the tree may limit how deep the grinder can go. While the tree grinder is powerful, it is only designed to handle plant material, wood, and dirt. Take note of:

Fencing, concrete, brick, or rock around a tree (such as a tree ring)
Nearby trees that may have roots under the tree
Swimming pools, walkways, and patios that may prevent the grinder from reaching all of the root material
Lawn irrigation, sprinkler systems, tree lighting wiring, and buried hoses
We generally do not grind deep enough to risk interfering with properly-installed utility lines or buried cables, but unforeseen obstacles can be encountered that necessitate a shallower grind.

What exactly lies beneath the roots of a tree or the surrounding soil may be a mystery, even to the homeowner. While we are very careful when removal a tree, we will not take responsible for damage to irrigation lines or other items located below ground that we are not aware of. It is important to inform your arborist of any sprinkler systems or other objects that might be in the area to be ground before the work begins.

WHAT IS LEFT AFTER A TREE IS GROUND?

As the blade grinds the tree and surface roots, it produces a mulch made up of tree material and dirt. The mulch produced by tree removal can take up a much greater volume than the original tree. (It can be helpful to think of the difference between a block of cheese and that same cheese after it is grated.)

Mulch from tree removal is valuable organic material that decomposes more quickly than many other kinds of mulch, as there are generally smaller wood particles present, and more soil to help it break down. It is our standard practice to push the mulch back into the area that has been ground (“backfilling”). Even so, there is usually a large pile of mulch left above ground, often much more than the tree owner expected. Because of its composition, the mulch does settle fairly quickly, but many people prefer to use the mulch around their yards, rather than leaving it where the tree once was.

Tree grinder mulch can be used for composting or applied in flower beds. (Depending on exact composition of the mulch, it may not perform in the same way as typical hardwood mulch, and may need to be replaced sooner.) After some time, when the mulch has settled, it can be packed into the ground-out area, making the area ready to be prepped for laying sod or for planting a flower bed or other small plants. If requested, we can provide mulch bagging and/or bagged mulch haul-off as an additional service after tree removal, but our standard practice is to leave all grinder mulch on-site.

WILL THE TREE COME BACK AFTER A TREE IS GROUND?

Even with tree removal, some species of tree can still send up shoots and new growth from the roots left below ground. Crape myrtles, chinaberry trees, hackberries, and Bradford pears are some common species in the area that can be very persistent in growing back. The sprouts that return after tree removal can be trimmed or mown down and will eventually stop coming back, as the remaining roots use up their energy reserves. Commercially-available woody stem killer can be used to accelerate the dieback of the roots. White vinegar can also be used as an organic alternative to commercial root killer.

CAN I REPLANT AFTER A TREE IS GROUND?

We are often contacted about removing a tree that the owner would like to replace. We do not recommend trying to re-plant trees in the same area where a tree was removed and the tree ground. Even with a deep grind, an extensive root system remains underground. The old root system can interfere with the new tree’s attempts to become established. Furthermore, if the old tree had a disease, that disease may still be present in the remaining root tissue, and can be transmitted to the new tree. When replanting is desired, we can discuss finding a location that is far enough from the removed tree to lessen the likelihood of interference from the old root system. If homeowners’ association or municipal restrictions require a tree to be replaced in a certain location, excavation or hand digging may be the only options.

CAN EVERY TREE BE GROUND?

In the case of a tree becoming uprooted (because of storm damage or root rot, for example), the tree cannot be dealt with as easily. If there is a large amount of root material above ground, the tree grinder may be physically unable to reach it. Depending on the type of tree and how it grew, it may pull up a great deal of dirt, turf grass, and other underground material when it falls. What is left after removal an uprooted tree may be more dirt than tree matter, and may not be suitable for use as mulch.

Weather is also a factor that can determine how and when tree removal can be performed. A long period of rain can cause the soil to become waterlogged. Operating a tree grinder in heavy, wet soil can not only make a bigger mess than usual, but can damage the surrounding area due to the weight of the machine. It may be necessary to wait until the area dries out before attempting even a “standard” tree grind.
If a customer has a special circumstance, like an uprooted tree, or there are multiple trees in one area to be ground, we always send an arborist to assess the situation before providing a quote or scheduling the tree grinder.

HOW MUCH DOES TREE REMOVAL COST?

The cost of tree removal is dependent upon three main factors: the size of the tree, the location of the tree, and how deep the grinder needs to go. While we generally provide a tree removal price when we give a quote for tree removal, we are also happy to evaluate any other trees you may want to have ground.

HOW DO I MEASURE A TREE?

The base cost for tree removal is determined by the diameter of the tree in inches, including any above-ground roots. This measurement can be taken before or after a tree is removed. To get the right measurement, it is important to go “from dirt to dirt.” This means measuring from the tree edge or root point (where it touches the dirt) farthest from the trunk to the opposite edge or root point. It is also important to measure from different directions and to take an average measurement, as this most accurately reflects the area to be ground.

The “dirt-to-dirt” measurement can be quite a bit larger than the diameter of the tree trunk, and we do see situations where the tree removal is more costly than removing the above-ground tree.

This is a 75-inch tree, measured “dirt to dirt” at the yellow line. Measuring on the trunk is inaccurate: if this tree were measured at the red line, the result would only be 37 inches, which is not the actual area to be ground. Even after a tree is cut down, properly measuring a tree can be tricky when there is a root flare and surrounding vegetation.

CAN THE TREE GRINDER REACH MY TREE?

Our standard tree grinder is a machine that is seven feet long and three feet wide. At the front is a rounded blade (similar to the tip of a chainsaw) that chips away wood as it moves across the tree. The tree grinder is designed to fit through standard gates, but some older or narrow gates may not be able to accommodate it. The weight of the machine may also prevent it from reaching certain areas without damaging walkways or ground cover. While the removal blade has some maneuverability, clearance of at least seven feet on one side of the tree is required to allow the grinder to access the area to be ground. In smaller areas with less clearance, it is possible to use our smaller tree grinder, but this can increase the time and cost of the procedure.

CAN I JUST LEAVE THE TREE?

It is not necessary to grind or otherwise remove a tree after a tree is taken down. We have customers who request a tree not be cut all the way to ground level, and use the remaining tree as a plant stand, table base, or just a yard feature. Even if the tree is cut close to the ground, it can last several years. Preservative coatings can also be applied to prolong the life of a standing tree.

Some homeowners prefer to let a tree decompose naturally over time. Old trees can become habitats for fungi, insects, and other creatures. As the tree breaks down, it can become rich organic material that can be added to compost or used in planting. If a tree is left unground, however, it can continue to send out new growth for years after the tree has been removed. Drilling holes in the tree and filling with Epsom salt or using commercial tree killer can accelerate tree dieback, but those chemicals can be toxic to surrounding plant life. Treating the tree with chemicals can also make the area hazardous to people and pets.