When you need a tree removed, you may be surprised to find that the process removes only the bulk of the tree, and not the stump. That’s because removing a stump requires different equipment and a lot of time. What many people do is leave the stump where it is in hopes that it will just look rustic and cute. They figure that this will save them money. But stumps aren’t frozen in time. They do change, usually for the worse, and they can end up costing you more money than you would have paid for stump removal.
Now You Have Pest Control Costs
Stumps can rot, and one of the things that happens when a stump rots is it attracts pests. Some use it for food, and others use it for shelter. Some use it as a jumping-off point to invade other trees. So, you saved money on stump removal, but now you have to spend it on pest control. And possibly on more landscaping to remove additional infested plants.
Stump Roots Are Trip Hazards
Stump roots can become trip hazards. This is because you have a bunch of partially hidden roots that stick up just enough out of the ground. Now you have medical costs and potentially legal costs if the injured person tries to sue you for compensation. Your homeowner’s insurance company could end up dropping you, too, if you lose the case. And keep in mind that some insurance companies have been doing drone flyovers of homes in different states, dropping policy holders for things as small as a messy yard. A tree stump with risky roots isn’t going to help.
Decaying Roots and Collapsed Ground
In addition to having the stump rot and attract bugs, the roots can also decay and decompose slowly. The ground around them can collapse slightly as a result. That creates even more trip hazards years after the roots themselves break down. Remember, the roots aren’t just the visible ones at the surface. There are more roots underground, and as they decay, the ground above them can sink, creating divots in the ground that you might not realize are there until you or someone else trips and falls.
The Stump Might Affect Your Property Value
A lot of people might not realize what a stump can do, but for those who do understand, that stump can lower your home value. Prospective buyers could insist that the selling price drop because they’ll have to spend money removing the stump and filling in the yard. As the stump rots, it can make your back yard look terrible, too.
You can avoid all of these problems if you just have a tree service remove the stump after the rest of the tree is gone. If you’re in the Princeton, NJ area and need a tree removed, stump grinding or another tree-related service, contact Princeton Tree Care now.