Removing a mature tree is no easy matter. Not only do you have to contend with the above-ground portion of the tree, but also the part that lies unseen, underground. For the inexperienced, tree removal is daunting, which is why many tree owners hire experts to remove dead or dying trees on their property.
However, because of the difficulty and cost involved with removing tree stumps, some people choose not to remove them. Simply leaving a stump where it is, unchanged, is possible. Within a few years, it will rot and be ready to be removed. Unfortunately, some tree owners choose to bury their tree stumps. This is a mistake for several reasons.
Subsidence
Tree stumps cause subsidence in the soil they are located in, and in the surrounding area. This is why tree specialists, such as arborists, recommend removing the entire stump along with the tree. At least then, your only worry will be ensuring that you fill in the space left by the absent stump and its many metres of underground roots.
However, should you bury a tree stump, it will continue to rot under the ground and affect nearby structures. More importantly, as tree stumps rot, they can cause sinkholes to form in the ground above them. Even small sinkholes can become leg breakers that catch people unawares.
If you cover up your tree stump then, you'll need to remind yourself and others, over the next few months and years, to stay clear of the area. Removal would be much simpler and safer.
Insect Attack
Termites love a good feast on rotten wood, especially when that wood is conveniently sealed under the ground, away from the harmful rays of the sun. In Australia, if you bury a tree stump in an area known for termites, you set in motion a series of events that could end with your home being infested by termites.
Are you willing to take the chance that you might accidentally set up a termite staging post from which they can attack and eat your home? Instead of burying your tree stump, hire an arborist or stump grinding service remove it for you. It is not just the stump that needs to be removed, but also its roots, which may well be spread metres in all directions.
Don't let your tree stump cause an accident in future because you buried it and forgot about it. Have it removed so that it can't spring any nasty surprises in future.
Share22 January 2019
Seeing a tree die can be sad, especially if it's the only shade tree in your yard, a tree you grew up climbing or a once bountiful fruit tree. However, surprisingly, many trees that people seem to give up on can actually be saved. I hate the idea of anyone losing a tree, so I decided to start a blog. This blog is going to have tips I have learned as a lifelong gardener as well as things I have learned while researching trees and botany in general. I hope you like these posts and that they eventually help you save a few trees!
