What Happens to Roots After Stump Grinding?

If you’ve had a stump removed from your property through grinding, you may be wondering what happens to the roots.

A tree's roots will decay over time after stump grinding due to a lack of nutrients. The root system relies on a tree’s green leaves for nutrients to survive. Nutrients and sugars from the leaves travel down to feed the roots. Without leaves, a tree cannot produce food for the growth of its roots. That means a tree’s roots will begin to die once a tree is cut down.

However, a leftover tree stump might have some nutrients left to allow tree roots to sprout. If the stump develops enough leaves from the sprouts, it can grow back into a tree. But if the stump doesn’t produce sprouts, the roots will decay into the soil over time.

Some tree species such as oaks, maples, and pines do not grow back from stumps, while other tree species aggressively sprout even after the tree is cut down. Examples of tree species that aggressively sprout after the tree is cut down include ficus, willows, and elms.

If you have a tree stump that produces aggressive sprouts, it is best to have it completely removed together with its roots to avoid growing back.

How Long Does It Take for Roots to Die After Stump Grinding?

It can take up to ten years for roots to die after stump grinding, but this depends on the tree species. But there are measures you can take to handle tree roots after a stump is ground down.

What to Do After Stump Grinding to Stop Roots from Growing Back

• Apply Epsom salt to the stump to accelerate the decomposition process
• Cut off any sprouts with pruners as soon as they appear. However, removing sprouts physically can take between 2 to 7 years to completely deplete the nutrients stored in the roots and the stump.
• Paint the freshly cut tree stump with herbicide that contains glyphosate to kill the roots

If you’re concerned about your tree stump sprouting and growing back, you should opt for stump removal. While removing the entire stump may cost more and take a longer duration, it eliminates concerns about potential sprouting. Moreover, stump removal allows you to plant a new tree in the same spot.

Contact Southern Star Stump for Stump Grinding and Stump Removal

If you have a tree stump on your property that you’d like to get removed by a premier stump grinding company, get in touch with Southern Star Stump.

At Southern Star Stump, we are passionate about providing efficient stump grinding and stump removal services to our residential and commercial clients. We utilize advanced stump grinders and stump removal tools to ensure your stumps are removed properly and efficiently.