A Brief History of the Emerald Ash Borer
There is a growing infestation of the emerald ash borer in northern and Midwest U.S cities such as Detroit and Kansas. This tiny green beetle is wreaking havoc across the entire ash population. According to National Geographic, the insect has swept into at least 22 states. The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus Planipennis Fairmaire) has spread its reach further into Canada and from the Midwest to the eastern part of the United States. The EAB loves to feast on Green ash trees, more specifically, their stump. The loss of this tree won’t just ruin the landscape but also affect the ecological balance in the affected states.
Over 70 million ash trees have been destroyed by this beetle, and more ash trees are at risk of getting destroyed too. This pandemic has led to a debate as regards post-removal stump management and preventing the re-occurrence of an EAB infestation.
Which is Better; Stump Removal or Stump Grinding?
Stump removal involves excavating what is left of the tree’s stump. The stump removal team will have to dig out the tree’s thick roots with their powerful tools. After a stump removal process is completed, you are left with a clean site and a huge hole in the ground.
Stump grinding is not as labour-intensive as stump removal. Arborists use a machine to grind the stumps into the smallest wooden pieces. Stump grinding has been heralded to be more effective, and more environmentally friendly than stump removal especially in public places. The wooden chips from the stump grinding process can be used as mulch for plants in a landscape nearby.
While stump grinding focuses on the visible stump portion of the tree, the tree’s roots are still spread out several feet underground, after the visible stump has been grinded. After grinding, the roots will naturally decay over time.
Year after year, most cities in North America, have reduced the allocated budget for stump removal and now have to deal with a backlog of tree removal projects. Stump grinding remains a cheaper and more efficient alternative. Stump grinding is the better choice for both homeowners and public parks departments.
Dead trees on streets, parks, playgrounds and other public spaces present a great danger to the people and the environment. Whether you choose to remove your tree stump for safety, or aesthetics, you should know that you are making the right decision. Yes, a leftover stump has some of its benefits but the benefits do not outweigh the challenges especially if your home is close to a park or public space.
With all the problems stumps are associated with, at Martin’s tree, we recommend stump grinding after your tree has been removed. Preserve your landscape, rid yourself of dangerous insects and get a little help from the wooden chips as mulch for your plants. Most importantly, hire a tree removal service if you don’t have the required experience.
Steve Martin
