If you're ready to remove that old stump in your yard, grinding is likely the best option. A few different factors impact stump grinding, so you need to consider these factors so you can request the specific services you need. 

1. Accessibility

The main concern for your grinding tech is going to be ease of accessibility. Stump grinders come in a variety of sizes. Stumps wedged into tight corners, such as near a paved area, can't be accessed by the larger grinders. It can take longer to grind out stumps with smaller and more maneuverable stump grinders, so accessibility can impact the length of the process and the overall cost of removal. 

2. Future Plans

Consider your future plans for the area once the stump is removed. If you simply plan to fill in the bare spot with new grass or a flower bed, then the stump will only need to be ground down deep enough to allow root growth, typically less than a foot. On the other hand, if your plans include planting a new tree or putting in a driveway on the site, the stump may need to be ground down more than a foot to allow room for larger roots or base materials. 

3. Remaining Roots

For many trees, grinding out the stump is all that's needed because all large roots are safely concealed underground. If your tree has a lot of large surface roots, though, they may be just as much of a nuisance as the original stump. Although grinding services won't use a stump grinder to remove these large roots, they can chop and dig out the most troublesome ones following stump grinding. 

4. Cleanup Options

Your grinding service will likely give you some options for cleanup. For example, the stump hole can be left empty, filled with the sawdust from grinding, or be topped off by fill dirt. What you decide depends on what your plans are for the area and how much effort you want to put in yourself to renovate the landscaping after stump removal. Leaving the hole empty is ideal if you'll be building over the site, but you may want it filled if you plan to plant right away. 

5. Sucker Prevention

Certain tree varieties, like poplar and locust trees, are prone to producing root suckers. These weak stems come up from roots, even after the tree is cut down, in an attempt to grow a new trunk. Even after stump grinding, suckers can appear. If you have a tree prone to suckering, your grinding service may chemically treat the area to ensure the roots die before grinding out the stump. 

Contact a stump grinding service in your area to learn more. 

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