Property owners in Kingwood, TX frequently deal with leftover wood remnants after tree removal, and they usually have many questions before scheduling Stump Grinding. Midway Tree Solutions receives inquiries about the Stump Grinding process every single day. Here are the most common questions about Stump Grinding in Kingwood, TX.
How deep do you actually grind a stump?
Most standard Stump Grinding goes about six to eight inches below the surface. That depth is usually enough to cover the area back over with topsoil, plant grass seed, or lay down some fresh sod. If homeowners in Kingwood have plans to plant a brand-new tree right in the exact same spot, our team recommends going deeper or shifting the planting hole a few feet over. The local clay soil in Kingwood, TX gets packed down very tightly, so getting below grade is important for root decomposition.
What happens to all the wood chips left behind?
Property owners will end up with a sizable pile of mulch and sawdust after Stump Grinding. Midway Tree Solutions usually leaves the wood chips right in the hole to fill the void, because wood chips naturally settle over time as they break down. If there are extra wood chips left over, homeowners can use them in their flower beds, though fresh wood chips pull a small amount of nitrogen out of the soil as they rot. Some property owners haul the wood chips off, but they make very good natural fill if managed correctly.
Will grinding a stump kill the remaining roots underground?
Yes, once the stump and the main root crown are chewed up by the grinding machine, the root system loses its energy source and dies off. It takes 1 to 3 years or more for those deep roots to completely rot away beneath your lawn, but they will not sprout new growth. Homeowners in Kingwood, TX do not need to worry about rogue shoots popping up all over the yard once Stump Grinding is finished.
Can I just burn it out or use chemicals?
Chemical rotting agents take a long time—sometimes a whole year—and they usually just soften the wood without actually getting rid of it. Burning a stump in a residential neighborhood like Kingwood is a bad idea, and local ordinances prohibit open burning. Furthermore, burning rarely destroys the roots underground, leaving property owners with a smoldering hazard and half-charred wood.
Are underground utilities an issue?
Yes, underground utilities are always an issue. Before any heavy machinery fires up for Stump Grinding, Midway Tree Solutions always calls 811 to get utility lines marked. Yards in Kingwood are crisscrossed with gas, water, electric, and internet lines. Hitting an underground sprinkler line is frustrating, but hitting a gas or power line is a serious disaster. Property owners must never skip this step during Stump Grinding work.
What's the difference between grinding and full removal?
Stump Grinding chews the wood down below grade using a rotating cutting wheel, leaving the subterranean roots to decay naturally. Full extraction pulls the entire root ball out of the ground using heavy equipment. Extraction leaves a massive crater that requires loads of backfill dirt and ruins the surrounding turf. Stump Grinding is faster, cleaner, and much easier on your Kingwood yard.
For homes and businesses in Kingwood, Midway Tree Solutions provides Stump Grinding services.