When a tree in your garden falls or is felled, the stump may be left behind and as well as being uneasy on the eye, if it isn’t removed, suckers from the roots can shoot up and turn into another tree.
Stumps which are completely dead don’t form suckers but they can pose a risk of forming fungal root rots, such as honey fungus, which can infect nearby trees.
Removal methods
What you pay will partly depend on what removal method is used.
Physical removal via stump grinding is the best solution as it eliminates the risk of suckers and root rots. Some roots will be left, but most should rot away.
Stump grinding uses high-powered machines to mechanically grind out the main root plate, leaving fine sawdust. Although you can hire stump grinders, they are potentially dangerous so best left for arboricultural professionals to use.
Chemical removal – alternatively, you can use chemical stump and root killers which usually use either glyphosate or triclopyr as the active ingredient. The best time of year to apply stump killers is Autumn into Winter – as you should avoid times when the sap is rising.
Eco-plugs - these are a mixute of crystalline glyphosate encapsulated in a plastic plug. They can be used in all weathers and at any time of year and are designed to aboid non target drift or operator contamination.
When to remove the stump
Removing a tree stump is best done as soon as possible after felling to minimise the risk of suckers replanting the tree.
Chemical stump killers need to be applied to the freshly-cut stump, so are best used as soon as possible.
Cost factors
Professional stump removal costs vary depending on a variety of factors:
• Stump Diameter – if you’re charged based on the diameter of the stump to be removed, a larger diameter will mean a higher price as it will obviously take longer to remove.
• Depth of grinding required - before you request a quote, think about how you’ll cover up the ground stump afterwards – as this will determine how deep you need the stump ground down to. Grinding to 25cm or 10 inches below the surface of the soil is usually enough to allow turf to be laid over the area. If you’re planning to replant or landscape the area, you should request 30cm / 1 foot.
• Total number of stumps for removal – some companies offer a discount if you have more than one stump to be removed. You may be charged a flat fee for the first stump and a variable amount for each extra stump to be done.
• Age of the stump – older stumps are usually already rotted and easier to grind down.
• Soil condition –soil with rocks in them can damage equipment, so you may be charged more if yours is significantly rocky.
• Type of tree – some types of tree stumps are tougher to grind than others, so will take longer to remove.
• Root system size – stumps with minimal root systems are cheaper to remove than ones with extensive ones, because they take less time to remove.
• Clean-up time – if you want the ground-up stump remains to be removed, you will pay more. But don’t forget that, unless the wood is diseased, the fine sawdust stump grinding generates can be used as mulch – decomposing slowly, moderating soil conditions by absorbing moisture and slowly releasing it back, suppressing weeds and protecting the soil from erosion by the wind and the rain.
• Clearing land – if you need a large a huge number of stumps removed as part of clearing a big area of land, you can expect to pay a flat hourly fee or be charged based on the average diameter of the stumps to be removed.
• Access – if there are slopes, steps or limited access then there is a chance that a grinder may not be possible. They are big machines. LJX’s smallest grinder needs a clearance of 1.2m minimum and is very heavy. So, this will be taken into account too. If a stump grinder doesn’t fit, then other options will be considered, such as eco-plugging.
A typical price for tree stump removal is around £150 + VAT. For a bespoke quote for removing your dead tree or trees, please contact us.
Get in touch
LJX is one of Scotland’s leading independent owner-managed providers of experienced arboricultural services to domestic and commercial clients in Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Central Belt. As well as stump removal, LJX offers a range of tree services and consultancy on trees and advice. For more information get in touch on 01505 873 347.
Formed in 2001, LJX is one of Scotland’s leading independent owner-managed providers of experienced arboricultural services such as tree pruning, tree felling, stump removal, woodland management and site clearance services to the private, public, construction, utilities and transport sectors.
We are centrally located in Scotland near to all major road links and can reach any location around Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Central Belt, so don’t hesitate, call us today for a free quote.
We have more than 40 years of experience in the profession and our staff are full qualified and insured. Our accreditations include CHAS, NPTC Qualified Workforce, ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and BSL Authorised.
Contact us for a FREE quotation – 01505 873 347.
