If you have a tree stump in your Akron area yard, fall is a great time to consider having it ground down to make room for new landscaping. Whether you are reclaiming your yard or designing a new flower bed, cool fall temperatures are ideal for establishing grass seed, perennials, and new shrubs.
Why invest in stump grinding?
It may seem like no big deal, but depending on its location, a stump left in your yard could be a trip hazard. Over time stumps also can become havens for rodents or may lead to pest infestations, including carpenter ants and carpenter bees.
While a stump can sometimes be incorporated into landscaping, more often than not, it can make landscaping difficult. By adding stump grinding to your fall cleanup list, you can get your spring landscaping plan set before the snow flies.
Stump grinding is best left to professionals. Services typically include grinding the stump to about 18 inches below the surface, removal of the wood chips, and filling with soil to allow for replanting. The stump is ground from the top down and may take 30 minutes to a couple of hours depending on the size of the stump.
Your local tree service professionals will provide the equipment needed and advise you if the stump is located in a difficult or unsafe spot that could require additional precautions. The reasonable cost of stump grinding will almost always make it a worth the investment.
Tips for after stump grinding
If you are removing a stump, odds are you have plans for the portion of property it occupied. Be sure to work with your local tree expert and keep the following in mind.
- Have your stump ground to a level that accommodates your plans – shallow for grass or annuals; deeper to plant trees or large shrubs.
- Confirm your tree service company can remove and haul away the chips if you do not plan to use them elsewhere for mulch.
- Add a generous layer of soil and check the acidity before planting.
- If you have decided to retain a stump to use in landscaping, ask your tree service about treatments that will prevent rot and discourage infestation.
If you need stump grinding services anywhere in the Barberton, Norton, or Akron area, Linger’s Lumberjacks provides stump grinding to a depth that suits your plans. Click here for more information about stump grinding for the fall season, as well as expert tree pruning and shaping in late fall and winter.