Stump Grinding vs Removal: Which is Right for Your Des Moines Yard?

Leaving a tree stump in your yard is almost never a good idea. Beyond being an eyesore, stumps take up valuable space, make mowing a hassle, and pose potential safety hazards.

If a tree has fallen or you’re planning a professional removal, it’s worth considering stump removal as well. There are two main ways professionals will handle stumps. Here’s what you need to know about stump grinding versus stump removal in Des Moines.

Key Takeaways:

• Professional stump grinding offers a fast, affordable solution that minimizes disruption to your existing landscape.
• Complete stump removal is only necessary for specific situations like new construction or dealing with invasive tree species.
• Leaving old stumps around can take up valuable space, lower curb appeal and property value, and become safety hazards.
• DIY stump removal methods are typically dangerous, ineffective, and end up costing more when professionals need to fix the damage.

How to Get Rid of a Stump

When it comes to stumps, there are two main options for getting rid of them – stump grinding and stump removal. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they’re technically two distinct processes with very different results.

One is used much more widely than the other. And one has minimal impact on your yard, while the other has the potential to (literally) uproot your entire landscape.

But that doesn’t mean one option is bad, and the other option is perfect. They’re both useful, but your goals and circumstances will determine which approach is best.

Stump Grinding: The Most Common Solution

Stump grinding is the most popular way to get rid of stumps in Des Moines and beyond. Partly because it’s the most affordable option, but also because it’s the least disruptive to your yard. And with stump grinders available to rent at your local hardware store, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to try their hand at DIY (though we don’t recommend that for safety reasons).

Stump grinding is a straightforward process where professionals use heavy duty equipment to turn the visible stump into wood chips. The grinder’s rotating blade moves back and forth across the stump, gradually working its way down several inches below ground level. What’s left is a pile of wood chips that can be removed or used as mulch in your yard.

The process is surprisingly quick when done by professionals. Most residential stumps in Des Moines yards take less than two hours to grind completely, even for larger trees. The grinding depth typically ranges from 6 to 12 inches below grade, which is deep enough to allow new grass to grow or to repurpose the area for landscaping.

Stump Removal: A Complete Tree Removal Solution

Complete stump removal takes a more aggressive approach by extracting not just the visible stump, but the entire root system as well. This process involves heavy equipment to dig around the stump, cut through major roots, and pull the entire root ball from the ground. The result is a large hole, often 3-4 feet deep and several feet wide (sometimes much wider), which then needs to be filled with clean soil, graded, and prepared for new landscaping.

For most Des Moines homeowners, this level of removal is unnecessary. It causes a huge disruption to your yard and current landscaping. And the effort involved leads to an increase in cost.

But there are specific situations where complete removal makes sense, such as when building an addition to your home, installing a pool, or dealing with certain invasive tree species that can regrow from remaining roots. It’s also worth considering if you’re planning major landscape changes that might involve grading.

Stump removal also makes it possible to install new utility lines, foundations, or hardscaping with ease. So, this option is often part of a much larger project, or when clearing land for a brand-new build.

Stump Grinding vs. Stump Removal: Which is the Right Choice for Your Yard?

Both stump grinding and full stump removal have their place. But stump grinding is the most economical and practical solution for most property owners. For those trying to free up yard space and boost their curb appeal, simple stump grinding is fast and effective. It has almost no impact on the landscape around the stump, as all the work is done in a small, localized area immediately surrounding the stump.

Stump removal is best when a complete landscape overhaul is required. This includes lot and land clearing for new construction, adding onto an existing building, or completely redoing the landscaping, where a fresh slate is needed. It creates a huge hole, but it allows property owners to redo the landscape as they want.

If you’re a homeowner or commercial property owner looking for a fast solution with minimal impact on your landscaping, choose stump grinding. Here at Arbor Masters, we’re proud to offer safe, efficient stump grinding as a standalone service (many other tree care providers only grind stumps if they remove the tree).

How Not to Remove a Stump

There are a ton of wrong ways to get rid of a stump. At best, you save some money. At worst, you might end up in the hospital, which is why we always recommend hiring a professional to deal with your tree stumps.

Renting a stump grinder might seem like a good idea, but operating one without experience can be dangerous and may result in property damage or serious injury. Countless injuries are reported across the US each year, both by DIYers and professionals alike. Stump grinders have been known to hit rocks, jam, or backfire, causing serious injuries to operators or bystanders. It’s best not to take the risk.

Some other popular but problematic DIY methods include:

• Setting stumps on fire
• Pouring chemical treatments that harm soil and nearby plants
• Pulling stumps with vehicles, risking damage to both truck and yard
• Drilling holes to weaken the stump, which is ineffective and time-consuming
• Manual digging or chopping that rarely removes enough of the root system

These attempted shortcuts usually end up costing more when homeowners need professionals to fix the damage and finish the job properly. Professional grinding remains the safest and most cost-effective solution for Des Moines properties.

FAQs About Getting Rid of Stumps in Des Moines

What happens to the wood chips after grinding?

After grinding a stump, we rake the wood chips into the hole where the stump used to be. Since stump grinding produces a lot of chips, you have a few options:

• Use as Mulch: They make great organic mulch for your trees and garden.
• Dispose: You can add them to your local yard waste collection.
• Let Them Decompose: Cover the chips with topsoil, and over time, they’ll naturally break down.

Whichever option you choose, the leftover wood chips won’t go to waste!

How deep does stump grinding go?

Different companies have different processes. In general, professional grinding goes 6 to 12 inches below ground level. This depth allows enough space for new grass to grow or for most landscaping projects.

Will stump grinding damage my yard?

The equipment only needs access to the stump itself, so damage to surrounding areas is minimal. Any minor lawn damage can be easily repaired with basic soil and seed.

How long does it take for a ground stump to decompose?

The remaining underground roots will decompose naturally over 5 to 10 years. This gradual process won’t affect your ability to use the space above ground.

Ready for a Stump-Free Yard? Arbor Masters Can Help!

You don’t have to put up with that ugly stump any longer. Take your yard back and have your stump ground by the professionals at Arbor Masters today. Call 515-218-2025 or fill out our online form to request a free quote for stump grinding services in Des Moines.