Why Dealing With Old Trees Is the First Step in Any Yard Makeover

John A8 seconds ago

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Why Dealing With Old Trees Is the First Step in Any Yard Makeover

Dreaming of finally getting your yard the way you want it?

Pouring over Pinterest and sketching out landscaping changes is fun — until you’re staring at an old tree stump that won’t let you get started.

Here’s the spoiler…

Removing tree stumps should be the first call you make when planning yard work — not the last. Your landscaping ideas are forced to work around the stump if you procrastinate, or pest damage and sprouting roots ruin your hard work later down the line.

Figuring out the total cost and logistics of tree stump removal needs to happen before any lawn care or groundwork takes place. Whether you want turf laid, builders to turn up, or fencing installed — there’s no getting around the stump if it’s still there.

Here’s a look at why stump removal is priority number one when re-designing your yard.

Tip: What You’ll Learn

Roots Cause More Problems Than You Think
Tree Stumps Slow Down All Your Yard Work
What Tree Stump Removal Services Actually Do
Which Removal Method Should You Choose?
How Long You Wait Could Cost You

Roots Cause More Problems Than You Think

Tree stumps aren’t evil. They just sit there, quietly rotting underground.

Or do they?

Once a tree has been cut down, the roots are still active and cause problems. Decomposing roots create underground caverns that can cause the soil above them to sink or collapse. Imagine wanting to lay decking, turf or patio slabs only to find parts of your yard have sunken after it’s done.

Don’t forget pest control either.

Termites and carpenter ants love nothing more than gnawing through rotten wood. As they make their home in your stump, they don’t stop there — they travel through soil and healthy wood, compromising the structural integrity of your yard. Average termite repair costs are $3,000, so prevention by removing the stump is almost always cheaper.

Same goes for fungi and mould; spores can travel from stump to tree, infecting nearby areas of your garden.

Takeaway: Even if your stump isn’t bothering you — creepy crawlies certainly don’t feel the same way.

Tree Stumps Slow Down All Your Yard Work

If you stop and think about it, this should be obvious.

Your turf guys need to remove the stump, reshape the land and wait for the soil to settle before laying any grass. If they cut corners — you’ll have an uneven, patchy lawn that sinks over time.

Decking or patio areas? Same story. Structure foundations need solid land to sit on; stump roots literally shift the soil for years after a tree is cut down. Rotting large trees can take 5+ years to decompose enough not to be an issue.

It’s even important for laying garden beds or paths. Despite what you may think, tree roots grow wide and far — far enough to crack paths, split edges and uplift flower beds over time.

Construction order is everything. Do stump removal first so everything else you want can happen second.

What Tree Stump Removal Services Actually Do

Removing stumps isn’t as simple as cutting a tree down.

Local professionals use one of the following methods to get rid of your tree stump. Whichever they recommend will depend on size, location and how rotten the stump is.

Stump Grinding is the most popular option. Using a specialised chopping machine, your stump will be ground down below ground level. The leftover wood chips can be converted into garden mulch. It’s quick, easy and causes minimal disruption.

Total Removal is more in-depth. Essentially, the entire stump and root system are dug out of the ground. This leaves a gaping hole ready for any construction projects you have in mind. Opt for this if you plan on building over the stump.

Chemical Treatment speeds up the rotting process by applying certain bacteria to the stump. Over the course of a few months, the stump will slowly disappear. Not ideal if you’re looking to get your yard finished sooner rather than later.

Talk to your stump grinding service about your plans before they start work. You’ll be surprised how flexible they can be to fit your needs.

Which Removal Method Should You Choose?

Before rushing into booking a tree stump removal service, there are a couple of things worth considering:

What’s going on in that space? Grass and shrubs can be laid atop ground-level removed stumps. Buildings, decking, etc. are best suited to total removal.
How easy is the stump to access? Stumps near fences, slopes or pipelines cost 20–50% more to remove due to the complexity.
How large is the tree? Oak and Elm trees have wide, deep roots which require more time and machinery to remove.
Removing more than one stump? Bulk removal services tend to lower their prices per stump.

As with anything home-related — getting multiple quotes is key. Prices can vary wildly between providers.

How Long You Wait Could Cost You

Tree stumps don’t get cheaper over time — your back pocket does.

The longer you leave stump removal, the more pests settle in and roots rot. As soil quality decreases around your stump — your healthy plants and trees are put under threat. Then when removal is finally sorted, there’ll be even more groundwork to do before the yard can be used again.

Average costs for stump removal range from £195 to £609 dependent on size and method used. If your yard is already landscaped, you’re likely looking at the lower end of that scale.

So get stump removal cost quotes first. It may change your whole yard plans!

Wrap-Up: Put Tree Stumps at the Top of Your Yard Work List

Here’s the harsh reality when landscaping and gardening your yard…

All the hard work put into your lawn, flower beds and fencing counts for nothing if pests move in or stump roots rupture your construction over time. Your yard is only ever as strong as its weakest point: that stump.

Tree stump removal services are the unsung heroes of your yard makeover. Not only do they save money in the long run by stopping pest damage, but they prepare your land for anything you want to do with it.