Sometimes tree removal is the only viable solution to maintaining the health and safety of a yard or other outdoor space. Once the tree is removed, the stump and the connecting roots underground are left behind, which can be a significant problem and one has to consider how to remove roots after tree removal.
Typically, tree removal involves clearing up the surrounding space, identifying the best way to fall the tree, and then using the appropriate equipment and technique to cutting it down to its stump.
Left behind stumps are a nuisance and should be removed immediately for the following reasons:
- The stump can be a tripping hazard with the potential to cause serious injury.
- The presence of the stump can hurt the overall aesthetics of the landscape.
- Sometimes, the roots connected to the stump continue to grow after the tree removal and may end up wrapping around pipelines, lifting patios, or even damaging the foundation of the house.
- A new tree might grow around the stump left behind, which might be harder to remove than the original one as shoots keep returning. These new growths can often suck up essential moisture from the soil adversely hurting the health of the landscape.
- The stump and the roots will rot over time and become a breeding ground for many pests, which can spread to other healthy plants, and even find their way indoors.
Stump Grinding
Due to all of the aforementioned reasons, it is important to get rid of the stump and roots once the tree has been removed.
One popular method of getting rid of the stump is known as stump grinding. It involves the use of a powerful machine, known as a stump grinder that grinds the stump into tiny wooden chips.
Stump grinding offers numerous benefits, which include being quick and non-invasive, being cheaper than full stump removal and offering nutrient-rich mulch that can be used to improve the health of the soil.
How To Remove Roots After Tree Removal and Stump Grinding
Being non-invasive, stump grinding does not actively remove the underground roots. Once the stump is ground out, the roots die and decay, becoming part of the soil. As a precaution, the roots connected to the base of the stump are often severed using shears to ensure there is no regrowth. This natural process is a time-consuming one with roots sometimes taking up to 10 years to decay completely.
Hiring a tree service pro like Hidden Oak Tree Care can immediately solve your tree and root removal needs. However if you have more time, there are several other options available for getting rid of roots after stump grinding:
- Dig Out The Roots: Have your stump grinder go a little deeper into the ground when grinding the stump. Once the stump is ground 6 to 8 inches into the ground, it becomes much easier to simply dig and pull out the roots, getting rid of them completely. This is one of the most comprehensive means of getting rid of roots and the associated problems with continued root growth.
- Chemical Herbicides: Another method that can be used is to treat the left-behind roots after stump grinding with powerful chemical herbicides found in stores. These powerful chemical agents work effectively to kill the roots quickly, which can then decay and become part of the soil. We don’t recommend the use of chemicals, however, because they can leach into other areas of your yard and harm your plants, and potentially your animals.
- Epsom Salts: If you are avoiding chemicals, then you can use the more natural route of using Epsom salt or any other concentrated form of salt to kill the roots. While it will require several applications over a few months and will be slower than its chemical counterpart, Epsom salt will be equally effective in killing the roots.
Stump grinding is the best way to get rid of the underlying roots of any removed tree. It is also the best way to get rid of the stump’s roots and certainly beats waiting for the roots to naturally decay.
If you are unsure of which method to use for your particular situation, it is always a good idea to seek the opinion of the professionals at Hidden Oak Tree Care. We can advise how to remove roots after tree removal and will handle the full project to your satisfaction.