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When arborists remove a tree, the final horizontal cut is generally made anywhere from 2 to 12 inches above ground level. This means that while the bulk of the tree is gone, a considerable tree stump will remain in place.
That’s not always a problem; homeowners with large, wooded lots may not mind the stump. But if the stump is located close to your home, in a visible area, or somewhere that sees a lot of foot traffic, it’s usually advisable to have the stump removed — typically by having it ground down.
But that leaves many homeowners with a question: What about the tree roots? Can the roots keep growing after stump grinding? Do the roots die after the stump is ground? Will they create new growth, forcing you to have additional tree services completed again in the future?
We’ll answer these questions and more below, so you’ll know exactly what to expect following professional stump grinding.
Stump Grinding 101: How Does Stump Grinding Work?
We’ll explain what happens to tree roots after stump grinding in one moment. But first, it’s important that we explain how stump grinding works in most cases.
- A specialized machine with a rotating cutting wheel is positioned over the stump.
- The operator then moves the grinder from side to side, so that the cutting wheel teeth can shred the wood into small chips or mulch.
- The process continues until the stump has been completely shredded, leaving behind only a pile of chips or mulch.
- If desired, the stump grinding service will usually remove the resulting chips.
However, there are a few important things to understand beyond the basics. For example, the tree stump is not simply shredded until it’s level with the ground; instead, the stump grinder will be used to shred the wood down about 4 to 6 inches below ground level. This will allow the space to support sod, grass seed, or small plants as soon as the hole is filled with soil.
There is one other key thing that’s important to understand: Many of the tree’s roots will still remain behind following stump grinding. Professional stump grinding companies will generally shred surface roots, but most of the underground roots will be left behind.
What Happens to Roots After Stump Grinding?
Over time, most roots left behind following stump grinding will die and eventually decompose. It may take months, years, or even a decade for this process to play out for large roots, but most tree roots will eventually be turned back into unorganized organic material (“dirt”) by insects, fungi, and other microbes.
However, in other cases, the roots may survive for quite some time and produce new shoots that emerge from the ground. This is more common in some tree species than others, but it will effectively mean that the tree you had removed will (eventually) be replaced by another — and in many cases, several others.
Tree Roots That Tend to Produce Sprouts After Stump Grinding
Every tree is an individual organism that acts in response to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Accordingly, there aren’t many hard-and-fast rules regarding trees.
With that said, the following species are among the ones who are most likely to generate shoots from roots following stump grinding:
- Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
- Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
- Poplars (Populus spp.)
- Willows (Salix spp.)
- Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana)
- Red maple (Acer rubrum)
- American elm (Ulmus americana)
- Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
- Chinaberry (Melia azedarach)
- Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense)
- Mulberry (Morus spp.)
On the other hand, the following tree species rarely sprout from their roots following stump grinding:
- Southern pines (Pinus spp.)
- Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
- Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum)
- Hickories (Carya spp.)
- Black walnut (Juglans nigra)
- Magnolias (Magnolia spp.)
- Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
- Dogwoods (Cornus spp.)
- Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
- Most oaks (Quercus spp.)
It’s important to note that there are other factors that will help determine if a given set of roots produces new growth. For example, roots in fertile soil are more likely to have the resources needed to produce new growth. Also, large, mature root systems are more likely to send up new sprouts than the small root systems associated with younger trees.
Did you know we also provides crane-assisted removals, emergency service, and commercial tree care?
How Can You Prevent Tree Roots from Producing New Shoots?
There are only a few ways to deal with trees that are likely to produce new growth from their root systems. Four of the most common approaches include:
- Opting for stump removal rather than stump grinding. Because stump removal eliminates not only the stump but a significant portion of the root system, it serves as a fairly reliable way to prevent new sprouts.
- Repeatedly grinding the stump and remaining roots. Periodically grinding the area with a stump grinder can often stress the roots enough that they stop producing new shoots.
- Using chemical treatments to kill the stump. There are a variety of herbicides that can be used to kill a tree’s roots, thereby preventing them from producing new growth.
- Manual removal of the existing roots. You can use hand tools (pickaxes, hand saws, shovels, and similar tools) to physically remove the roots, which will prevent the production of new plant tissues.
If you are concerned about the possibility that your tree roots will produce new shoots, discuss the issue with a stump-grinding professional. He or she should be able to provide a recommendation for the specific stump and stump location.
FAQ: What Happens to Roots After Stump Grinding?
Still have questions about what happens to tree roots after the removal of a stump? We’ll answer some of the most common questions we hear from our customers below!
Do tree roots continue to grow after stump grinding?
Tree roots can continue to grow for a short time after stump grinding, though their growth rate will slow dramatically. Most roots will eventually die after the tree is removed and the stump is ground down. However, if shoots are produced and allowed to live, the roots will start receiving nourishment from the leaves, which means they can continue to grow.
Does a stump grinder remove tree roots?
A stump grinder can remove surface roots and those in the upper inches of the soil. However, it simply isn’t feasible to remove all of the tree’s roots (particularly structural roots, sinker roots, or tap roots) with a grinder, as some of them may be 18 inches or more below the surface.
How long does it take a stump to rot underground?
Tree stumps decay very slowly. It’s difficult to provide a specific time frame, but a small (2-inch diameter) tree stump may completely decay in a few years, while a large, 20-inch-wide tree stump may last for decades.
Is it better to grind or remove a tree stump?
It depends on your goals. Generally, stump grinding is a gentler, faster, and more affordable option, which can be completed in a day (or perhaps two, for a very large stump). However, grinding will not address the roots growing beneath the ground level. Stump removal, on the other hand, takes longer and costs more, but it will eliminate the majority of the large roots attached to the stump.
Can you grind a tree stump yourself?
You can, but it isn’t recommended. Stump grinders are very dangerous tools, and it is important that you receive training and wear the appropriate safety equipment when using one. It can take months, if not years, to become proficient at using a stump grinder, so it is generally wiser to rely on professionals.
Can you rent a stump grinder at a hardware store?
Most home improvement stores do rent grinders, but that doesn’t mean homeowners should try to remove stumps themselves. It’s not only dangerous work, but it is also quite difficult to accomplish without significant training. Additionally, the types of stump grinders made available by hardware stores pale in comparison to professional stump grinders. Trying to grind down a stump of any real size will prove extremely time-consuming and frustrating if you’re forced to use a rented stump grinder.
Trust Treemendous Tree Care for Your Stump Removal Needs!
It’s not only important to rely on tree-care professionals for tree trimming and removals; it’s also important to leave your stump grinding needs to the pros!
Horror stories involving untrained workers and stump grinders are, unfortunately, common. From destroyed landscapes to damaged hardscape features to severed utility lines, a number of bad things can happen when a stump grinder falls into the wrong hands.
But the stump-grinding experts at Treemendous Tree Care will be happy to remove the tree stumps in your yard, whether we removed the trees for you or not. We’ll ensure that the job is carried out professionally and that your property looks wonderful once we’re through.
Contact Treemendous Tree Care today and request your free stump grinding estimate!
