What can I do with a tipped over stump?

As I write this we are recovering from an ice storm that has caused widespread power outages due to falling trees and tree limbs. 4-6 weeks from now after homeowners have had time to call Tree service guys to come cut up downed trees they’ll be calling stump grinders to come get rid of the ugly stumps that are left in their yards. Undoubtedly some of those stumps that are left will be remnants of trees that tipped over in the storm, exposing the root ball and lifting up the ground around the tree. Depending on the size of the tree the root ball can stand 6 ft or higher leaving a large deep cavity. I’ve had customers tell me that Tree service guys have told them that large root balls from tipped over trees are too big to grind and must be removed by an excavator.

Excavating a stump with a hydra-hoe can cost many times more than having it ground out. In addition, excavating a stump typically removes good soil that must be replaced in order to level out the area, plant grass and make it look like the stump was never there. Also excavators are much bigger and heavier than stump grinding machines and tend to do more damage to your yard. 

The truth is we grind tipped over stumps and root-balls all the time, even big ones. We typically start by grinding the exposed roots. The dirt and grindings from the root ball  fill up the cavity that was created when the tree fell. After that we get to work on the stump itself, grinding until it’s completely gone. Grinding a stump from a tree that has tipped over versus one that is left from a tree that’s been cut is a longer process and requires a little more time. The end result however is the same. The stump is completely gone. Once the grindings have been cleaned up, topsoil can be used to level out the area and grass seed planted and watered daily. Within a few weeks grass seeds sprout and before long you have a beautiful lawn again. 

​Steve

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