Do you have a tree stump on your property that you'd like to get removed but are not sure how to go about it? Here is what you need to know about removing tree stumps.

Why Remove Tree Stumps?

Tree stumps need to be removed from the garden for several reasons. Safety is perhaps one of the most important reasons – it can be painful or cause injury should you happen to fall over one. If the stump is hidden in long grass, there is the chance that you can hit the stump with the mower, causing wood chips to fly off, which can also be dangerous. Tree stumps can attract termites and other pests into the garden, thus potentially risking structural damage to your home or other structures on your property (such as timber fences). Let's not forget that tree stumps are often a very unattractive addition to a garden!

Removing Tree Stumps

If you decide to remove a tree stump, there are some options available to you. These include:

• Stump grinders -- these are machines that use a large flywheel with cutting teeth in order to grind the stump down a little at a time. The stump turns into mulch which can be used in the garden. Stump grinders are available in several different sizes in order to suit the stump and where it is located.
• Decomposition -- you can simply leave the stump there to decompose over time but this can take several years to occur. However, the process can be speeded up by using products that have been specifically designed to dissolve tree stumps.
• Digging the stump out -- you can remove the stump physically using tools such as backhoes or other excavation equipment or you can dig the stump out yourself by hand. This can be time consuming and difficult work.