Taking out an older tree and grinding the stump down can be a frenzied process. However, once the work is over, you may wonder what to do after stump grinding. Below, our professional tree services in Niceville, FL, provide advice on the steps to take.
Learn more about wood chip removal and soil preparation after grinding down that stump.
Deciding What To Do With the Debris
The process of grinding a stump will create sawdust and wood chips. You might want to dig out and remove wood chips before you try to plant anything else in the hole where the tree was.
If you leave a lot of wood chips behind, they could spread throughout the lawn as you are mowing during the subsequent weeks, harming your grass. Why not reuse the wood chips as mulch in other parts of your landscaping?
If you don’t like the idea of having to clean up debris, consider applying chemicals that will eventually kill a tree stump. This process takes significantly longer than hiring professionals like Tri-State Tree Service to do stump grinding. You could also avoid having to clean up the debris entirely by asking stump removal professionals about taking the chips and other debris with them.
If You Want To Plant Grass, Prepare the Area
Many people will want to plant grass over the area where a tree previously stood. Stump grinding typically only removes a few inches of the stump below the ground. This makes shallow grass roots a good choice for replanting compared to plants that anchor deeper.
If grass-growing is your preferred choice, you’ll need to do some landscape leveling to fill in the hole where the stump was. Add soil as needed to give the new grass sprouts a solid base as they start to grow. You can plant grass seed over the top, or you can add a section of sod to replace the stump.
Remember to gently water either seed or sod in the area after planting. It takes several days to weeks for the grass to establish itself.
You Could Plant a New Tree in the Same Spot
You may want to plant a new tree after taking out the old stump. You can, but consult local arborists to be certain it’s safe to put that new tree in the same location – species, growing conditions, and other factors affect this decision.
For example, you might need to remove thick roots or wait for them to decompose before planting another tree. Did the old tree die from a disease? You might need to do a soil treatment to cleanse the area before replanting.
Let Tri-State Tree Service Help With All Your Tree Care Needs
Whether you’re wondering what to do after stump grinding or how to prepare to have a tree cut down, Tri-State Tree Service’s licensed arborists can provide advice and action plans for:
- Grass seeding
- Pest prevention
- Soil fertility management
- Mowing grass around trees safely
- And more!
To request a free cost estimate, call us today at (850) 876-8003.
