What is the difference between a tree arborist and a tree lopper?

Tree lopping involves indiscriminately chopping off tree branches for immediate aesthetic improvement, without regard for the long-term impact on the tree’s health. Tree lopping can actually weaken and stress a tree, leaving it vulnerable to pest disease. In contrast, tree services performed by an arborist are guaranteed to properly maintain the health and appearance of your tree. An arborist — educated in the science of arboriculture — is qualified and trained to make a well-considered assessment and changes that will preserve the tree’s health and vitality.

How do I find a qualified Brisbane arborist?

Hiring a reputable and qualified Brisbane arborist is the best way to ensure your trees’ health and protect your property from damage. Having said that, it’s important to seek a certified Brisbane tree arborist with a wealth of experience and strong customer testimonials. Arbor Operations has been helping and advising Brisbane residents, property developers, body corporates, government and schools on how to best maintain the health of their trees since 1986. Our staff at Arbor Operations are members of numerous industry bodies so you can feel confident in our friendly, professional, safe and caring service.

Where do you offer your Brisbane tree services?

We provide tree consulting, tree cutting, tree removal, tree trimming and pruning, palm tree removal, stump grinding, and tree mulching services throughout South East Queensland. We work in the greater Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast regions.

Stump Grinding vs Removal | What’s The Difference?

Trees support the environment in various ways, including protecting wildlife, storing carbon and improving the land’s ability to adapt to the effects of climate change. However, sometimes trees need to be cut down. They may be diseased or have pest problems and may spread these to other trees. They may have a compromised trunk or weak roots and are thus a physical hazard.

A new construction project will often require trees to be cleared. Or sometimes homeowners just want to replace an old tree with a new one to enhance their garden’s environmental diversity or aesthetics. Two of the most common processes used are stump grinding and stump removal. Here, we look at each process and some of the stump grinding vs removal pros and cons.

What is tree stump grinding?

A stump is what is left of the tree trunk after the tree has been cut down, and in terms of what is stump grinding it is leaving the stump and the tree’s roots entirely in the ground. But why stump grinding over removal? Some of the benefits of choosing stump grinding include:

It doesn’t involve deep extraction. Tree removal requires the use of heavy-duty equipment to drill into the ground. This is because, as opposed to tree stump grinding, stump removal involves the removal of the stump and the tree’s roots, which may be buried deep into the ground.
It’s safe and efficient. Stump removal can be an involved, invasive process as opposed to stump grinding, which is relatively risk-free, can be performed quickly and is not labour intensive. As a result, the likelihood of damage to your property and disruptions to your schedule are reduced.
It is comprehensive. It is standard in the industry for stumps to be ground down as far as necessary until the trunk is no longer visible (and therefore not an eyesore), but it will depend on the requirements of your land and the size of the stump.
It minimises pests. If your tree is being ground down due to disease or pest infestation, stump grinding will minimise the risk of the problem spreading to other trees.
It is kinder to the environment. No harsh chemicals are used (unlike with stump removal), and the remnants of the stump can be recycled as mulch or ground cover.
It’s cheaper. Grinding the stump is a better option for individuals who want to remove a stump but are looking for a more affordable method.
It is less intrusive. Stump removal involves more time, more manual labour and because the process involves digging a hole bigger than the circumference of the stump and extracting the tree, it creates unnecessary disturbance to your garden.
It maintains aesthetics. Leaving the stump in the ground instead of removing it and the tree’s root system means you won’t be left with a significant hole in the ground!

What is the process of tree stump grinding?

After the tree has been chopped down to ground level, the stump is ground down using a stump grinding machine (or stump grinder). They can be the size of a lawn mower or as large as a truck, however, all are heavy, powerful and potentially dangerous, so they should only be operated by a qualified professional such as an arborist. Most have a high-speed disk with “teeth” that grinds the stump and roots into small pieces. The fragments are typically of a size and shape that makes them suitable for use as mulch or ground cover.

When grinding tree stumps, an experienced arborist will typically grind the stump to the earth’s surface or even to 50mm to 100mm below it. It will then be covered with organic matter. Eventually, grass will grow over the stump and after some time, the stump and its root system will rot away. Using this method, you can re-turf it or build on top of the site, although bear in mind that if you want to dig underground and install something such as a decking post, the roots will continue to be in the way.

Can I perform stump grinding myself?

While it may be tempting to attempt tree stump grinding yourself, it’s recommended you leave it to the professionals. Stump grinders are powerful machines that can cause serious injury if incorrectly handled. The team at Arbor Operations are expertly trained to work efficiently and safely, ensuring the job is done correctly the first time.

What is tree stump removal?

Tree stump removal is the removal of the entirety of a tree, including its branches, trunk and root system. It is a significantly more complicated process than stump grinding.
Some of the benefits of this process include:

It allows for renovations or construction. Tree roots can affect the structural integrity of a building and cause a lot of damage, particularly as tree roots and stumps are not always visible and may be hidden underground.
It enhances aesthetics and environmental diversity. The complete elimination of a tree’s stump and roots may improve the look of a garden and will also allow room for alternative planting.
It reduces pests. When tree roots become contaminated, they can spread fungus and attract pests like beetles, ants and carpenter beetles to your garden. Termites are also a potential problem as they will often secretly eat up the middle of a tree stump and establish a nest. From there, they can eat their way along the root system toward your home, where they can cause costly structural damage. This process can help reduce them.
It will help other trees. With their extensive root systems, tree stumps will often continue to seek water and nutrients from the soil to keep them alive. This diverts essential resources away from other trees and plants.
It minimises structural damage. A tree stump with an extensive root system can create issues for property owners (including neighbours), damaging and disrupting foundations and underground utilities. There are also many trees with invasive roots in Australia that can cause the same issues.
It is final. Even if the majority of the tree has been removed via tree stump grinding, new growth is still possible. Not with tree removal!
It enhances a garden’s safety. A tree with compromised health can be a hazard, particularly if branches or the trunk are likely to topple over, for example, in the event of a storm. Tree stumps can also be a trip hazard and are often difficult to mow around. In the long run, removing a stump may save you money on new mower blades!

What is the process of tree stump removal?

Arborists use a variety of methods depending on how big your tree is and what’s involved. These include:

Manual removal. Smaller stumps can be removed by using hand tools and brute force. It involves digging around the stump, cutting through the roots and then leveraging it out using axes, digging bars and chains. It is physically demanding and time-consuming but effective for smaller stumps.
Stump burning. This traditional method involves setting the stump on fire to facilitate its removal. Holes are drilled into the stump, and filled with accelerants to ignite it. The stump and roots burn gradually until they are reduced to ash. It requires careful supervision, and adherence to local fire regulations, and should only be attempted in controlled environments with safety precautions in place.
Winch removal. A winch can be used when there is a reliable anchor point nearby. The winch is fastened to the stump and secured to a sturdy structure. The winch exerts tension and power and lifts the stump from the ground.
Excavation. Heavy machinery like excavators or backhoes can be used on big stumps that are difficult to move. The process involves digging around the stump and using the power of the machinery to lift it out of the ground. This is ideal for stumps with extensive root systems or deep-seated roots.
High-pressure water blasting. Also called hydro excavation, this is a stump removal technique that utilises powerful water streams to break up and remove stumps. It involves adjusting water pressure directly at the stump’s base to gradually break it apart. It is suitable for smaller stumps with shallow roots.
Combination techniques. Sometimes a combination of techniques may be used to remove stumps effectively. For example, a stump may be partially excavated using machinery, and the remaining portion ground using a stump grinder.

Which process should I choose?

It all depends on the reasons for removing it entirely or going for the cheaper, less labour-intensive option of tree stump grinding. A qualified arborist will be able to evaluate the state of your tree’s health and advise you on whether your tree would benefit more from having the stump removed or ground down. At this stage, it’s also worth communicating with your arborist about your plans for the space that currently contains your tree.

Cost of stump grinding and removal

The cost of stump grinding services and stump removal is determined by many factors, including the tree’s age, the diameter of the stump, the structure and extent of its room system and the type of soil it is planted in. Contact us for a free quote and a verbal site assessment with one of our qualified arborists.

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