A tree stump can be an eyesore, but even more importantly it’s a safety hazard. It will not only interfere with the normal growth of nearby plants and flowers, but also create a trip risk for anyone walking on your property. Stumps are difficult to mow around and can become a host for invasive vines, insects and wood destroying fungi. Stump grinding is the process of eliminating these unsightly additions to your yard by crushing or grinding them down into mulch-like wood chips.

There are a few reasons you may want to hire a professional company for stump grinding, but the most common is that it’s too dangerous and time consuming to do this on your own. A professional will be able to quickly and efficiently grind the stump below ground level leaving a hole that can be filled in with topsoil, grass or re-planted with a new tree.

Stump Grinding is the process of using a machine to break down the remnants of a tree after it has been cut down. The machine has a cutting wheel that is attached to a power unit and drive system most commonly a set of drive belts, just like in your car. The engine drives the blade and cuts the stump into wood chips. These chips are then removed from the site. Often times the leftovers are repurposed as landscaping mulch for flowerbeds, shrubs and trees on your property.

Before starting a Stump Grinding Sanford job the worker will inspect the work area for any potential safety hazards. They will make sure the stump grinder can get to the stump and that it’s safe to operate, that the machine isn’t near any other trees or structures that could be damaged by the machine and that there are no obstacles or buried materials in the way of operation such as bricks, stones or discarded metal objects. This is important because any items left in the path of the grinder can be pulverized by the blade and thrown far and wide.

The workers will then put on the proper safety gear gloves, goggles and chainsaw safety pants and barricade the area surrounding the stump to prevent stray pieces of wood from falling onto other plants, vehicles or people. They will then begin to grind the stump below ground level, cutting and chipping the sides of the stump and digging out the remaining roots. After the stump is completely destroyed, the hole can be filled in with soil, re-planted with grass or Penn mulch and then topped with a new tree or landscaped to fit the surrounding property.

If you are planning to replant the area with another tree it’s best to let your arborist know before the stump grinding is done so they can plan for the additional root and trunk growth, ensuring the hole is deep enough and bringing in the necessary topsoil. This will ensure your new plant has the best chance of success in its new home.