After having a tree removed from your yard, the stump is left behind. There are many reasons why you shouldn’t leave this part protruding from the ground. For instance, it can pose a safety hazard and make your lawn look less appealing. Depending on your preferences, you can opt for stump grinding or removal. To help you decide, take a look at this brief guide.

What Is Stump Grinding?

For stump grinding, a machine is used to shave down the stump according to your desired height, which can vary from one to 12 inches below the ground. The point is to shred low enough so that it’s no longer visible or sticking out of the soil. Once complete, a pile of woodchips remains, which can be left and used as mulch for other plants as long as they’re not infected or diseased.

The upside of this process is that it’s not labor intensive and no heavy duty equipment is required. This is beneficial because it takes less of a toll on your lawn and doesn’t take a long time to execute. You also don’t have to worry about a large hole being left behind since the leftover sawdust fills in the area that’s been ground down.

What Is Stump Removal?

Removing a stump entails pulling out the entire root system of the old tree. Since roots spread far and wide underground, they require more force to successfully eradicate, so heavy machinery is used and it takes more time to carry out the task.

Although it’s a more invasive process, many homeowners prefer it because it gets rid of the stump and roots entirely, making it easy to replant immediately. With stump removal, you have the freedom to grow other trees or carry out other landscaping plans on your property, and aren’t inhibited by remaining roots.

Whether you’re in need of stump grinding or removal, Safe Tech Tree Service can get the work done. The company in Johnstown, OH, has more than 20 years of experience improving residents' yards to make them look their best. Plus, you can rely on the team of certified arborists to do a safe and successful job. If you have questions, call (614) 565-8723 or visit their website to find out more.