When a tree is removed, a stump can serve as a reminder of what was once a majestic part of the landscape. In many cases, however, the stump soon becomes a hazard and an eyesore, especially if you put off its removal. You definitely don’t want to deal with these four consequences of putting off stump removal in Milford NH.
While a fresh stump can serve as a short-term pedestal for a potted plant, it can quickly begin to rot, especially in the relatively wet New Hampshire climate. And this is when things can start to get ugly… and dangerous.
Related: THE 5 DANGERS OF NEGLECTING THE NEED FOR STUMP REMOVAL ON YOUR BEDFORD, NH, PROPERTY
Loss of Curb Appeal
It’s one thing to remove a dead, broken, or diseased tree (your property will look better) and another to have a stump sitting there years later. Even a fresh stump makes your otherwise beautiful landscape look shabby, and its looks are not going to improve as the years go by.
Potential for Decay, Disease, Fungi, Mold, and Pests
Aside from an unkempt appearance, leaving a stump in place can invite pests including termites, beetles, and carpenter ants. These colonies can grow very quickly and when they outgrow their stump home, the insects will look for a place to relocate. This can include garden structures, or even your home. The longer a stump sits on the property, the greater the chance of attracting unwanted insects. Wood-boring insects are generally not drawn to fresh or dry wood, but they love rotting wood—so the sooner you remove the stump, the better!
Fungi and mold also find rotting wood to be a very hospitable environment. Fungi and mold are known allergens that can cause respiratory problems in people and pets. It’s also important to consider why the tree was felled in the first place. If it was diseased, the disease is still present in the stump, and in some cases may spread to other trees on the property—with potentially disastrous results.
Dangerous Conditions
There’s no denying that kids love fresh tree stumps as a fun obstacle. But a tree stump that has begun to rot may become dangerously slippery and unstable.
New Year, Same Problem
A tree that is felled because of storm damage or disease can still have a strong root system that continues to grow. New shoots can come up from the stump, and roots can continue growing as well. As a homeowner, you are responsible for the upkeep of landscaping in front of your home. When tree roots lift the sidewalk, this affects the neighbors’ safety and can potentially lead to a lawsuit. Due to continued growth, just because a tree has been felled doesn’t mean the damage won’t get worse or repeat itself.
Some tree species propagate via shoots, so you want to be sure to have the roots removed as well as the stump itself. Tree roots are wide-reaching, so it’s going to take more than a chainsaw and the neighbor’s pickup truck to pull out the stump and the roots; in fact, this approach is a good way to ruin a significant chunk of the lawn.
Trust the Pros!
Tree stumps are hazardous, but so is removing them. Trained stump removal professionals will use the safest methods to grind the stump down—and make your landscape fully accessible again.
