How to Remove Tree and Stump Roots

You've done the tree removal but now you have to deal with the stump and the roots underneath

When you're taking down a tree it can be easy to forget about the stump you have afterwards, let alone the deep root systems underneath which can stretch feet underground. 

This can cause problems for landowners by creating tripping hazards, plus they can look unsightly and actually affect your property value.

But let's find a way to deal with those troublesome stump roots and clean up your property, so you can big the entire stump and everything underneath farewell forever.

How do I remove a tree stump?

Stump grinders are one of the most effective ways to remove tree stumps, as these dedicated stump removal tools can get rid of them in a matter of minutes.

PTO-driven stump grinders like the Woodland Mills WG24 and WG28 hook up to the back of your tractor and can quickly turn your stump into a pile of wood chips.

Are there other ways to remove tree stumps?

You can always try stump grinding services, though these can be pricey, sometimes charging up to $300 per stump.

You can wait for stumps to naturally decay, or use chemicals to speed up the process. With these chemical treatments they require you to drill holes and then pour them in, which speeds up the decay process.

We don't recommend burning stumps though as that can be dangerous and fire can spread through the root systems to other plants and potentially cause a wildfire without you even seeing it.

Whether you want to take on tree stump removal on your own or leave it to the professionals depends on your budget, equipment and how often you need to do it.

How do I get rid of tree stump roots?

Stump roots extend inches underground and are often hard to see. If you don't get the roots removed they can potentially cause tripping hazards later or become home to pests like termites or carpenter ants.

With a stump grinder the machine digs deep underground to not only get rid of the stump, but the roots as well. Once the tree roots are gone you can simply fill in the hole and top it with sod or grass seed.

Will removing roots damage trees nearby?

As long as the trees aren't directly side-by-side it should be fine to remove the root system. Damaging the roots of a tree can cause harm to living trees, but if you do stump grinding right where the felled tree's stump was then that will get rid of most of that trees roots while leaving adjacent roots largely untouched.

How do I remove tree stump roots?

With a stump grinder like the WG28, just pull the machine through the stump, shaving off the top few inches of material with each pass. As you get closer to ground level you'll start to finish grinding the stump and move onto the roots underneath. If you continue grinding until you're a few inches under ground level then you'll have removed most of the important roots.

While root systems can extend several feet from the tree, with the most important roots ground the rest will gradually decay over time.

Should I wait for my stumps to dry out?

Old stumps are drier and easier to grind since there's less moisture trapped inside of them and they've had more time to naturally decay. Though with a professional piece of stump grinding equipment like a Woodland Mills stump grinder you can easily remove stumps both fresh cut and dry.

What if I leave the tree stumps and roots?

You can leave the stump and roots as is, but over time they will naturally dry out and begin to rot. The stumps could possibly become home to pests or rodents or create ideal growing conditions for other plants to eventually grow out of them.

This may be helpful to the local ecosystem as it creates habitats for various species but many landowners prefer to keep their lawns free of critters.

Another concern is that as the soil around them erodes it could expose roots and create tripping hazards. Many property owners also don't like the look of old, rotting stumps and want to get rid of them.