Once a tree has been removed, you’re often left with the stump. While this may not seem like a problem at first, many homeowners soon find that an old stump can get in the way of mowing, landscaping projects, replanting, or simply enjoying their garden.

If you’re wondering how to get rid of a tree stump, there are several options available. The best solution depends on factors such as the stump’s size, location, accessibility and your plans for the area.

Why remove a tree stump?

There are many reasons why people choose to remove tree stumps, including:

  • Improving the appearance of their garden.
  • Eliminating trip hazards.
  • Making lawn maintenance easier.
  • Preventing regrowth from certain tree species.
  • Creating space for landscaping, patios, driveways or new planting.
  • Freeing up valuable garden space.

Option 1: Leave the stump to decay naturally

The simplest option is to leave the stump in place and allow it to decompose naturally.

Some property owners choose to use old stumps as wildlife habitats, natural garden features or rustic planters. However, depending on the tree species and stump size, natural decay can take many years.

If the stump is likely to cause inconvenience or you have plans for the area, you may wish to consider a more proactive approach.

Option 2: Dig out the stump

Small stumps can sometimes be removed by hand using spades, mattocks and other digging tools.

However, larger stumps often have extensive root systems that make removal physically demanding and time-consuming. Excavating a mature stump can also cause significant disturbance to lawns, borders and surrounding areas.

For most larger stumps, professional stump grinding is usually a more practical solution.

Option 3: Professional stump grinding

Stump grinding is the most effective way to remove a tree stump in many situations.

Using specialist machinery, the stump is ground down below ground level, allowing the area to be re-turfed, replanted or incorporated into future landscaping projects. Unlike full excavation, stump grinding causes minimal disruption to the surrounding area.

At Simpson Arboriculture, we offer professional stump removal and stump grinding services across Lincolnshire and the surrounding areas. Whether you have a single garden stump or multiple large stumps on a commercial site, we have the equipment and expertise to carry out the work safely and efficiently.

Our stump grinding equipment

To suit different types of projects, we operate two specialist stump grinders.

Rayco RG37T stump grinder

Our Rayco RG37T stump grinder is ideal for most domestic stump grinding work. Its compact design allows it to access many residential gardens while providing the power needed to remove stumps quickly and effectively.

Greentec Piranha stump grinder

For larger-scale stump removal projects, we utilise our Greentec Piranha stump grinder. This powerful machine is particularly suited to removing large stumps or multiple stumps on commercial sites, development land, woodland and forestry projects.

Is my stump suitable for grinding?

Stump grinding machines require suitable access to reach the stump safely.

Stump grinding is generally possible where:

  • There is level access to the stump.
  • Machinery can be wheeled directly to the work area.
  • Access routes and gateways are wide enough for the equipment.
  • The stump is not excessively close to walls, fences, buildings or other structures.

Unfortunately, stump grinding may not be suitable where:

  • Access is only available via steps.
  • Narrow access points prevent machinery from reaching the stump.
  • The stump is extremely close to walls, fences, foundations or underground services.

If you’re unsure whether your stump can be ground out, our team can assess the site and advise on the available options.

Option 4: Eco plugs

In situations where stump grinding is not practical, eco plugging can provide an effective and affordable alternative.

Eco plugs contain a measured dose of herbicide that is inserted directly into the stump. Once installed, they prevent regrowth and gradually kill the remaining root system.

Unlike stump grinding, eco plugging does not physically remove the stump. Instead, the stump is left to decompose naturally over time while preventing the tree from producing new shoots.

Eco plugging can be particularly beneficial where:

  • Stump grinding machinery cannot access the site.
  • Access is restricted by steps or narrow pathways.
  • The stump is located close to walls, fences or buildings.
  • A lower-cost alternative is preferred.
  • Multiple stumps require treatment across larger areas of woodland or forestry.

For inaccessible stumps, eco plugging can often provide a practical and economical solution.

Can I plant another tree in the same spot?

Because stump grinding leaves some of the root system underground, it is usually advisable to plant the replacement tree slightly offset from the original location.

If you’re planning to replant, our team can advise on the most suitable approach during your quotation.

Free stump removal quotations

If you have an unwanted tree stump and would like professional advice, Simpson Arboriculture offers free quotations for stump grinding, stump removal and eco plugging services.

We’ll assess the size of the stump, site access and your future plans for the area before recommending the most suitable solution.

Whether you need a single garden stump removed or multiple stumps treated across a larger site, our experienced team at Simpson Arboriculture is here to help. For more information, please visit the Stump Treatment page on our website. There’s an option to complete a form with your stump details, so we can provide you with a quotation.

If you’re a homeowner or property manager, you understand the importance of maintaining a beautiful and functional garden. However, after removing a tree from your landscape, you might be left with an unsightly stump that not only spoils the aesthetics of your garden but can also pose safety hazards. At Simpson Arboriculture, we can help our customers reclaim their gardens and make them safe, beautiful and enjoyable spaces. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of stump grinding and how our expert team can assist you with revitalising your outdoor space.

The Challenge of Tree Stumps

Tree removal is often necessary. This could be due to disease, storm damage, or to make space for new landscaping projects. However, what remains after the tree is felled is a tree stump that can cause numerous issues:

  1. Safety hazards. Tree stumps can be hazardous, especially if they’re hidden by grass or foliage.
  2. Attracting pests. Decaying stumps provide a perfect environment for pests like ants and other insects to thrive. Over time, these pests could spread to other areas of your garden.
  3. Aesthetics. A garden should be a place of beauty and tranquillity. A stump can disrupt this and often hinders future gardening plans.
  4. Hindrance to landscaping. Stumps can impede the development of new landscaping projects, like building a patio, installing a fence, or planting new trees.

The Solution: Stump Grinding

Stump grinding is the most efficient and eco-friendly way to address the issues caused by tree stumps. Unlike some stump removal methods that involve digging out the entire stump, stump grinding involves using specialised machinery to grind the stump to below ground level.

At Simpson Arboriculture, we use our specialist Rayco RG37T stump grinder. It is a very powerful, tracked stump-cutting machine. Being under a metre wide, this machine can fit through most garden gates and its rubber tracks mean minimal damage to the grass/ ground underneath. The machine, used by our trained operators, is effective by cutting away at the tree stump using carbide teeth attached to a spinning wheel.

Other options for stump treatment and removal

Sometimes, stump grinding is not possible or practical. This may be due to access or the scale of the tree stump. Here are several other options that we also offer at Simpson Arboriculture, to help you reclaim your garden and tackle tree stump issues.

Eco plugs- We offer the use eco plugs which are small capsules containing granular glyphosate. Our team drill these capsules into the stump. They are highly effective and help the stump and roots to decompose naturally into the soil. The great news is that they are safe for use in gardens with children and pets running around.

Whenever the use of a stump grinder is not possible or practical, we would recommend the use of eco plugs. These are a great option for when there is limited or narrow access, or the weight of a machine would cause damage to more delicate ground surfaces.

Stump digging- For larger tree stumps, we are also able to offer stump digging using our excavators. The pulled-up stumps can then be mulched and incorporated into the ground.

Get in touch

If you would like to find out more about the different options for stump removal and take the first step to reclaiming your garden, get in touch! You can give us a call in the office or contact us via our website. For stump grinding, just fill out the form on our website and we can get back to you with a quotation.

Are unsightly tree stumps spoiling the beauty of your garden? If you are looking for a stump grinding service near you, then Simpson Arboriculture are here to help! We specialise in removing tree stumps efficiently and effectively, to ensure that your garden looks its best. We also offer an eco-friendly solution of with our eco plugs for those stumps that stump even the stump grinder.

Stump grinding service: why remove stumps?

Before we explore the details of our stump grinding service, here’s a few reasons why removing tree stumps is so important:

  1. Enhanced aesthetics. Stumps can be unsightly and disrupt the overall appearance of your garden. Removing them can instantly improve the visual appeal of your outdoor space.  
  2. Safety. Tree stumps can pose tripping hazards, especially in areas where children play or people walk frequently. Removing them reduces the risk of accidents.   
  3. Space utilisation. Stumps can occupy valuable space in your garden, limiting your landscape options. Removing them opens up the area for new planting or other landscaping ideas.  
  4. Disease and pests. Tree stumps can become breeding grounds for fungi and pests, which can potentially harm nearby plants and trees.

Simpson Arboriculture’s stump grinding service

At Simpson Arboriculture, we take pride in our professional stump grinding service. Our team of experienced arborists is equipped with a stump grinder which is capable of removing stumps of all sizes quickly and efficiently. Here’s how the process works:

  1. Assessment/ quotation. Many of our customers use the stump grinding form on our website when submitting a stump grinding service enquiry. This asks for access details and photos, which enables our team to quote accurately for the work.
  2. Booking in a date and time. Once a customer has accepted the quote, we will be in touch to arrange a day and time for the stump grinding
  3. Stump grinding. Our stump grinder is designed to grind down stumps quickly and effectively. This prevents regrowth and provides a smooth and level area for landscaping.
  4. Clean up. Stump grindings/ shavings are used to backfill the resulting hole as they decompose rapidly. We can remove grindings from site, but this would incur an additional cost.

Other options

Eco plugs. Sometimes it is not possible to use our stump grinder. This may be due to a narrow access. It could also be due to a fence or other structure in close proximity. Steps and walls would also prevent us from accessing the stump using our stump grinder. That’s why many of our customers opt for eco plugs. These are small capsules containing granular glyphosate which is a liquid that dissolves to kill parts of the stump that are still alive. These are placed into drilled holes in the stump, preventing any liquid from leaking out. These can be a much safer, cheaper and more eco-friendly option than traditional liquid tree root killer. The stumps will then naturally decompose over time.

Stump digging. For larger tree stumps, we offer digging up of stumps using our excavator. The pulled stumps can then be mulched and incorporated into the ground.   

Why choose Simpson Arboriculture?

  • Expertise. Our team consists of highly skilled arborists with years of experience in tree surgery and stump removal.
  • Top of the range equipment. We invest in the best equipment to ensure efficient and effective stump removal.
  • Customer satisfaction. We prioritise customer satisfaction, ensuring your garden looks its best after our services.
  • Eco-friendly options. We offer eco plugs as a more eco-friendly alternative for stump treatment when needed.

Don’t let tree stumps blemish the beauty of your garden any longer. Contact Simpson Arboriculture today for a professional stump grinding and stump treatment service. You can give us a call in the office or submit a stump grinding form on our website.