What To Do With A Tree Stump After Felling
Having a tree removed solves one problem but often leaves another in its place. The stump that remains after felling can be an eyesore, a trip hazard and a source of ongoing issues if it is left untreated.
Understanding your options for dealing with a tree stump will help you decide on the best course of action for your garden or site.
Why You Should Not Leave A Stump In The Ground
Many people assume that a tree stump will simply rot away over time and that leaving it in place is the easiest option. In practice, this is rarely as straightforward as it sounds.
Depending on the species, a stump can take many years or even decades to fully decompose, and during that time it can cause a number of problems.
Regrowth
Many tree species will continue to produce new shoots from a cut stump, particularly if the tree was healthy at the time of felling.
Species such as ash, sycamore, willow and elder are particularly vigorous in this respect and can produce multiple new stems that, if left unchecked, will eventually develop into a multi-stemmed tree again. Managing this regrowth requires ongoing attention and can become a persistent nuisance.
Honey Fungus
Decaying stumps are a common entry point and breeding ground for honey fungus, one of the most destructive fungal pathogens in UK gardens.
Once established in a stump, honey fungus can spread through the soil via underground rhizomorphs and infect the roots of nearby healthy trees, shrubs and plants. Removing the stump eliminates this risk before it has the opportunity to develop.
Pests
Rotting wood attracts a range of wood-boring insects and other pests. Whilst many of these are harmless in isolation, an established colony in a decaying stump close to a building or other timber structures can potentially cause wider problems over time.
Practical Inconvenience
A stump left at or near ground level is a trip hazard, makes mowing difficult and takes up space that could be put to better use. Even a stump that has been cut close to the ground can be a persistent obstacle in a lawn or garden.
Your Options For Stump Removal
Stump Grinding
Stump grinding is by far the most practical and widely used method of stump removal for both domestic and commercial sites.
A stump grinder is a specialist machine fitted with a rotating cutting wheel that grinds the stump and the upper portion of the root system down to below ground level, typically to a depth of 150mm to 300mm depending on requirements.
The process leaves behind a quantity of wood chip and sawdust, which can be used as mulch in the garden or removed from site. Once the grinding is complete, the hole can be backfilled with topsoil and the area can be turfed, planted or paved over.
Stump grinding is suitable for stumps of almost any size and can be carried out in locations where access for larger machinery would be difficult, as modern stump grinders are available in a range of sizes including compact models that can fit through a standard garden gate.
Chemical Treatment
Where stump grinding is not practical, chemical stump treatment can be used to accelerate the natural decomposition process.
This involves applying a stump killer product, typically containing potassium nitrate or a similar active ingredient, to the freshly cut surface of the stump. The chemical breaks down the wood fibres over a period of months, making the stump softer and easier to break up manually.
Chemical treatment is slower than stump grinding and is not suitable in all situations, particularly where there is a risk of the product affecting nearby plants or where the stump needs to be removed quickly to allow for construction or landscaping work.
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