Stump grinding is an incredible process that improves the beauty of your yard after tree removal. The huge machine shreds the tree’s unattractive remnants, but it often leaves homeowners with an uneven landscape. Don’t worry; you can level the space and transform your property. Check out these professional tree service tips.
Remove Excess Wood Chips/Sawdust
Stump grinding uses a powerful, heavy rotating blade that can shred a tree stump into a million or more wood chips and lots of sawdust. The best advice after stump grinding is to shovel out most of the debris or ground mulch. If you leave it all in the tree’s hole, you risk forming a deep sinkhole later on. Arborists recommend retaining only up to 20% of the wood chips and sawdust and mixing them with “native dirt” to add organic matter to the soil.
Properly Tamper and Layer the Soil
You want to avoid the development of air pockets because this could lead to the sudden collapse of soil. The stump-ground area needs the right compaction and layering. According to tree service professionals, the hole should be filled with topsoil and compost and layered properly. For example, begin filling the hole in 4- to 6-inch layers. After each layer, use a tamping iron or sledgehammer to tamp the soil down. Then soak the area with water to let the soil settle naturally.
Mound the Filled Soil, and Overfill
Consider that the tree’s root ball lies deep underground, so it will take months or even a few years to decay completely. In the meantime, the ground will drop. Your best bet is to mound the filled soil higher than the surrounding lawn by about 2 inches. This will help account for the settling that naturally occurs with rainfall and will eventually flatten the area out evenly with the rest of your property.
Give the ‘New’ Ground Time to Rest
A stump-grinded area needs a few months to stabilize before you transform the space. Tree service experts recommend letting the space rest for six to 12 months before installing permanent hardscape features, such as pavers or bricks.
However, if you are looking to restore your lawn, wait about three weeks after the stump grinding, and begin by raking the mounded topsoil smooth. Then, spread grass seed or lay sod, and keep the area consistently moist. Keep your eye on the spot for the first year, and add a thin layer of topsoil if any minor depressions begin to develop.
Stump grinding opens up new landscaping possibilities. Follow the tips outlined above, and that uneven patch can become level and add a functional, ecologically valuable asset to your property. If you live in Sonoma County, CA or a surrounding area and need stump grinding services, make your first call to Image Tree Pros.