The natural beauty of trees make them the most treasured parts of any landscape. These impressive plants live for a long time, and people end up getting emotionally attached to them – even decorating stumps long after the trees have been felled. Sometimes, however, stumps can become a nuisance and need to be removed. There are many reasons to remove stumps, from safety to aesthetics. If it’s time to remove a stump, here’s where to go when you need stump removal services in Amherst and Peterborough, NH.
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Tree stumps sometimes remain as celebratory monuments of the massive tree that once stood in its place. This can be sentimental and be an integral part of a landscape. This is, however, the exception to the rule. More often than not, stumps get in the way of landscaping improvements such as fencing, outdoor living spaces, driveways, foundations, or even buried utilities.
1. Work with a company with the right equipment.
Stump removal is an involved process because of the size and weight of the stump. What’s often a bigger project is removing the massive roots left behind. This is important because if a tree was felled due to disease or because it needed to be removed to make room for a landscaping project - and the tree wasn’t dead when it was felled - new shoots could sprout from the roots. Removing the entire tree and root system often takes heavy equipment, as it’s not a job that can be done by hand.
It may seem a little unnerving and surprising that the root system of a felled tree may be alive and still growing underground. If a recently felled stump isn’t entirely dead yet, it’s considered a damaged plant, which could attract disease and pests while it dies and slowly rots. This disease and pest infestation could quickly spread throughout your landscape. While the process of stump removal will likely cause superficial damage to your landscape, the alternative is much worse.
2. Work with a company that emphasizes safety.
Since stump removal is a difficult and very dangerous project, it’s best left up to professionals who value safety first. A bonded tree removal service will have the expertise as well as functional equipment to get the job done right. They will have the proper insurance to protect everyone as well as the property and their equipment.
It’s incredibly rare for a stump to be cut perfectly level with the ground. This will present a clear tripping hazard, especially if it’s hidden in tall grass or obscured by snow. But even a perfectly ground-level stump will eventually rot.
One of the most efficient ways to remove a stump is by grinding the stump into the ground. This helps remove the heaviest part of the tree’s substructure and sets the stage for the removal of the roots by separating them from the massive root ball. The grinding equipment will chew through the root instead of trying to pry it out of the ground with brute force. Stump removal specialists will have the highest quality equipment ready to go.
A company that emphasizes safety will remove the stump carefully to avoid damaging surrounding landscaping, fill in the hole left by the stump, and compact the soil enough to make it indistinguishable from the surrounding soil.
3. Work with a company with a great local reputation.
Word of mouth is a great way to get the right recommendations, so ask your trusted landscaping company, a landscape supply store, or some experienced friends.
Related: WHY EXCAVATION AND STUMP REMOVAL ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AT THIS TIME OF YEAR IN BEDFORD NH
