White Tree Service performs stump grinding in the Indianapolis and Central Indiana area. We can also perform tree trimming and tree removal.
What is Stump Grinding?
Stump Grinding is not the same as stump removal. Stump removal involves digging up all the tree roots and removing them. This will be costly for a large tree, since it will involve bringing in big excavation equipment. It will also leave a large hole in the yard where the tree roots used to be. In most cases, it will be necessary to bring in dirt to fill it.
Stump grinding will remove the portion of the stump that is above ground, as well as a few inches below ground level. In most cases, this will be a better option for the homeowner. It will cost less, but still remove the unsightly stump. While the dead tree roots will remain in the ground, they shouldn’t cause any problems.
Equipment That We Use
Stump grinders require powerful engines to spin the cutting blade. In the interest of safety, we ask that you keep children and pets away while we are grinding stumps. We clean up the area around the stump to get rid of rocks and other objects that could become dangerous projectiles when the cutting blade contacts them. However, there is always a chance of encountering a rock when the blade is cutting the stump below ground level.
We use different models, but the one in the image is a Barreto 30-SG. Here’s a promotional video that shows it in action. It has rubber tracks, which spreads out its considerable weight (1,700 pounds) over a larger area. This allows us to use it without leaving ruts in your yard. On the front is the vertical wheel with carbide cutting tips, which is driven by a Briggs & Stratton diesel engine that produces over 30 horsepower. The cutter wheel can be swung from side to side through an arc of approximately 120 degrees. By moving the head from side to side, as well as up and down, we will eventually grind the stump into wood chips. Typically, we will grind down about twelve to eighteen inches below the level of the ground.
We can remove these wood chips and haul them away, or you can use them as mulch around your plants. If you have a large tree stump, it will generate a large volume of wood chips.
Utility Lines
Before we begin grinding your stump away, we have to call Indiana 811 at least two days before starting. They will come out and mark any utility lines with color coded flags. In the photo you can see there are red flags which mark electric lines. The orange flags mark communication lines, such as phone, Internet or cable TV. If any are present, they will also mark water (blue) and gas (yellow) lines.
When we begin grinding, we will take care to avoid damaging any of the utility lines.
Replanting in the Same Spot
After having a tree removed, a homeowner will often want to plant another tree in the same spot. If the removed tree died from disease, it may not be a good idea to plant the same species. Be sure to let us know if you intend to replant, because we will need to extra deep in our grinding to get rid of as much of the stump as possible. While we can get rid of the stump, there will still be a network of dead roots left in the ground. As these decay, they may tie up nutrients in the soil. This will reduce the growth rate of your new tree.
Free Stump Grinding Estimates
We provide free estimates. If you live in the greater Indianapolis and would like a quote for stump grinding, please contact us by using the form at the bottom of our home page, calling us at (317) 619-3571 or sending an email to jose@whitetreeservices. We are fluent in both English and Spanish.