Many potential customers call to ask “Do tree surgeons remove stumps?” and the short answer is: “Yes, we do.” However, as with most things in life, it’s not always as simple as a yes or no answer. You may find that some tree surgeons do not offer a stump removal service whilst others do. Of those that do offer this service, many will offer it separately to tree felling and removal. In other words, you pay one price to have your tree felled and removed and another (additional) fee to have the stump removed.
Why Are Tree Felling/Removal and Stump Removal Considered as Separate Jobs?
Charging for each job separately may at first seem a little unfair but the reason these services are normally offered separately is because removing a stump requires a fair amount of time and effort and not everybody wants them removed. To ensure that people who don’t want the stump removed are not overcharged, tree felling and removal, and tree stump removal, are therefore normally billed as two entirely separate services.
How Are Tree Stumps Removed?
There are several different ways in which a tree surgeon may remove a stump, the following of which are the most commonly employed:
- Boiling Water – After drilling holes deep into the stump, boiling water is poured into the holes to weaken the fibrous internal structure and hasten its decay. It’s not the fastest way to get rid of a tree stump but it’s faster than leaving it entirely to nature and it doesn’t require a great deal of physical effort.
- Epsom Salt – This method also starts with the drilling of holes into the stump but this time, instead of water, it’s Epsom Salt that will be poured inside. As long as the salt and stump are kept moist, this method will also accelerate the natural decaying process.
- Darkness – One of the easiest ways to speed up the decaying process and get rid of a tree stump is simply to deprive it of light. Cover with a tarpaulin or canvas sheet and wait.
- Fire – Another method that starts with holes being drilled into the stump but this one is considerably faster than the others as the holes are filled with paraffin before the stump is set alight.
- Grinding – Stump grinding machines come in various shapes and sizes but they are all designed with just one purpose in mind: to quickly grind tree stumps into sawdust.
- Excavation – Digging out a stump is undoubtedly effective but it’s very laborious and time-consuming too.
If you hire a professional tree surgeon to remove a stump, they are most likely going to use a stump grinding machine. For those of you who may be wondering whether it’s possible to learn how to perform such tasks for yourself, the answer is yes, but only by completing professional training courses. And for accredited arboricultural training in the South East, you need look no further than Tree Care Training: it’s our chosen area of specialisation.
Our qualified team of experienced Arborists offer sustainable and cost-effective forestry and arboriculture services. For the long-term health and success of your trees. From small urban gardens, large estates and anything in between.