Unseen Threats: Why Leaving Tree Stumps Can Harm Your Yard

Sometimes, you are left with a stump when the tree in your yard is removed. However, most people believe it is over once the stump of the tree in the yard remains. But there may be more problems with that stump than you can imagine. While it appears innocuous, you may provoke several issues affecting your yard and home and even your health by letting that tree stump stay in the yard.

Attracting Pests:

Another primary risk of leaving a stump in your garden is the attraction of pests. These infestations would not be just a nuisance for the individual but could also present serious dangers to their possessions. For example, it could be that termites leave the stump and invade the wooden structures of your house, and you will incur a bundle of expenses. Other insects like beetles and carpenter ants go on to wreak havoc as they invade plants and garden beds nearby.

Spreading Disease to Healthy Plants:

While the tree was sound when cut, it can still harbor diseases or fungi that spread to other trees and shrubs being grown near your lawn. For instance, root rot can easily be transferred from one plant to another from decomposing roots in a tree stump. Fungal infections are also of major concern, destroying your garden as time passes. Removed stumps help ensure that there is a smaller risk of the dispersal of nasty pathogens to the rest of your landscape.

Regrowth Problems:

In truth, most homeowners are not aware that there will be unwanted regrowth if the stump is not dumped. Some species of trees, such as willow or poplar, continue to grow shoots from the stump, a thing that continues to sprout up with unsightly growth and is difficult to control. Regrowth can also come back as a reoccurring problem, demanding constant upkeep to keep the area looking tidy. If left to grow, the new shoot soon develops into a new tree, reliving the whole cycle in the same problem of having the wrong tree for the lawn.

Creating a Tripping Hazard:

From a safety perspective, tree stumps are a great trip hazard. This is particularly apparent if you have kids, pets, or lots of visitors. A stump that is likely to be covered in grass or dense foliage is less obvious and can well result in someone being injured following a trip and falling. Tripping hazards aside, injuries aren’t the only risk from the standpoint of liabilities; there’s a chance that someone might get hurt on your property. Thus, it would be wise to clear stumps from your garden since they may prove a safety and usability threat.

Hindering Lawn Maintenance:

Tree stumps can also make it more challenging to keep a neighborhood yard looking presentable. It is especially difficult to mow your lawn over a stump; you’ll have to be careful so as not to damage the mowing equipment or the stump itself. Weed whacking and trimming around the stump will be more trouble, and lopsided grass growth in the area is certain to follow. Over time, the stump and root system tends to interfere with many yard care activities, such as planting new grass and upkeeping the flower gardens. Eliminating it can make your lawn care process easier and make your landscape pleasing to the eyes.

Lowering Property Value:

Leaving the stumps of the trees in your yard would water down your landscape, and this has implications for the value of your property. Buyers may see a stump as an eyesore or something left behind by a neglectful owner, sully the worth of the property to them. On the other hand, clean and well-kept lawns without stumps leave the impression of a good owner taking good care of the property. Cutting down stumps can also help it get on the market more quickly by maintaining higher curb appeal. Moreover, your home’s value would skyrocket.

Root Decay and Ground Shifting:

As the stump and the roots decay, they create vacuums in the soil that can make it shift. Shifting can result in settling or uneven areas on your property that may lead to unstable surfaces that can affect plants, walkways, or driveways nearby. More serious infestations can reach down to the foundation of your home, so do not wait to undertake tree stump removal. It’s better to get rid of a tree stump when it is young, especially considering the pain and costs associated with more problematic issues later on.

The Finale:

Although, on the surface, it is easy to see why a tree stump would not be exactly something to fear, it holds a lot of hidden dangers that can bring negative effects to your yard, home, and health. If you’re not sure how to go about stump removal, you can call a professional stump removal service in Phoenix, AZ, to do it properly and safely.

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