Stumps may also keep the former tree’s root system alive, allowing it to continue to grow. These roots could impact the structures like foundations, driveways, or sidewalks as well as sap nutrients from the soil needed by other plants. If the roots are close to the soil, then they and the stump itself could be challenging to mow around. Tree stumps can also sprout suckers which may eventually lead to new tree trunks that are not structurally sound. These poorly attached “sucker” trunks are more likely to fail in stressful weather situations and cause harm.

If you do nothing, then your tree stump will eventually decompose. However, this could take several years. How quickly the stump decomposes may depend on the size of the stump, the type of tree that it was, pests, environment, and other additional factors.

You can help your tree stump rot more quickly by dosing it with chemicals. This method is only effective for a stump that has already begun to dry out and decompose. Start by drilling several holes in the stump about 10 inches deep. Fill the holes with a mixture containing potassium nitrate, which is used to burn the wood. You can buy tree stump removal chemicals specifically tailored for the job. Fill the holes with water to dissolve the chemical and wait. This will speed along the stump’s decay. It could take several months for the stump to decay enough for you to effectively chip it away and dig it out. Remember that some chemicals can pose a risk to you and the surrounding environment.

Finally, if you fail to fully rid yourself of the trunk, you’ll continue to have the same problems and risks listed above. Unfortunately, you may put a lot of effort and sweat into a stump removal without achieving your desired results.

Grinding is the fastest and most effective way of removing a tree stump. It involves essentially mulching and breaking up the stump using a large machine with a toothed wheel called a stump grinder. Although it is most effective, it can be extremely dangerous if you’re not properly prepared.

Stumps can negatively impact the value of your home, while new growth could give it a boost. If you’re getting rid of a stump, you may want to plant something else to fill the empty space. However, it’s not as simple as just putting a sapling where the stump used to be. There are some things you’ll want to consider before planting that new tree. Don’t plant that new tree directly where the old one used to be. In fact, if you can avoid doing it in the same area entirely, that would be best. The soil has likely been stripped of nutrients by the old root system. However, if you’ve got limited options and you must plant the new tree near the old root system, aim to make it at least a few feet away from the old stump – more if the tree was large.You also want to help the old root system die. Dig up as much of it as you can. Consider waiting a year or two to give it time to further decompose. If the old root system is too healthy, then it will compete with the new tree for resources. The old root system and any remaining stump material could also negatively impact the new plant’s root development due to soil compaction and a lack of space.

Finally, think about what killed the other tree. If it was a disease of some kind, then choose a new tree that won’t be affected by the same condition. For Nevada, it helps to consider trees that are well-suited to dry climates as under-watering can also affect tree health.

Fact: By their very nature, trees create shade, which means you really can’t plant anything underneath and expect full success. But in some instances, proper selective pruning, NOT topping, can reduce the bulk of a tree, letting in more light and allowing wind to pass through the tree. Proper pruning does not stimulate regrowth, and the tree will not respond as drastically as when topped or over-thinned. A qualified arborist is trained to understand which kinds of cuts to make (thinning cuts, not heading or topping cuts); he/she also knows when to stop.

If problems caused by a tree cannot be solved through acceptable management practices, the tree should be removed and replaced with another species or other plant material more appropriate for the site.

Fact: Initially, it might seem cheaper to cut the tree in half to get the result you are looking for. But over time the tree will require more frequent maintenance, and become a danger.

Drastic topping cuts create opportunities for epicormic shoots on the remaining trunk to grow quickly into large, poorly attached branches, if the tree doesn’t just die outright. The potential for them to break off and cause a hazard to property or people is very high. From a legal standpoint, the owner or owners of such a tree may be responsible for damages if it can be proved they were negligent. Incorrect pruning can cause trees to become hazardous, and therefore is negligence.

Fact: Topping is not a standard practice, and in fact is “outlawed” by national tree care standards. Topping has always been controversial. If someone tells you they have always done it that way, it’s a good bet they aren’t up to speed with the latest, scientific tree care methods.

Fact: We may not know diets, but we do know trees. Topping is for ice cream, not trees.

So how can you reduce a tree’s growth without the injurious effects of the “toppings?” Consult with a professional arborist who is bound by an industry code of ethics to provide proper pruning according to the profession’s tree care standards.