What do I need to know about the stump removal process?
Once contacted we begin estimating your job. This entails a site visit and free estimate, but sometimes can be done via phone/text. Once hired, we schedule the job and contact 811 Call Before You Dig. It usually takes 3 – 5 days for them to locate all underground utilities.
Once we agree on scheduling and utilities have been located, we perform the stump removal. You’re presence isn’t required unless special circumstances such as access, pets, or children are of concern. We do not invoice any job until it is complete and our customer is satisfied. Payment can either be collected once the jod is complete (if customer is present) or we can email an invoice with payment instructions. All customers have 15 days to pay in full. We accept cash, check and electronic transfer.
Tree companies are equipped to trim and remove trees, not stumps. At Colorado Stump Removal we specialize in stump removal and we’ve made the investments in equipment to do so.
For more information, see the FAQ section below.
Colorado Stump Removal’s Equipment
How does a stump grinder work?
At Colorado Stump Removal we use Vermeer grinders, but stump grinders are similar regardless of the manufacturer. A grinder is like a small self-propelled tractor that the operator walks alongside as he/she guides it into position in front of the stump. The grinder requires a clearance of at least 36” of clearance through gates and between houses and other structures like fences, sheds, cars, etc.
Once in position, the operator controls the grinding wheel at the front of the machine. The wheel has numerous teeth protruding from its face and sides, and as it spins at extremely high speeds, the operator can swing it from side to side across the face of the stump. Each time the operator makes a pass, the blade is lowered a few inches, working down the stump with each pass. When the grinder has gone down to an acceptable depth, the wheel is raised, the machine advanced forward a few inches, and the process repeated. In the end, the stump is reduced to a pile of mulch mixed with dirt.
We’ve never seen a stump we couldn’t grind…
There have not been many stumps that we could not get to or that were too big to grind. Every stump can be ground, it is just a matter of determination! Sometimes, customers assume the stump cannot be removed because it is up against a house, shed, or fence. These are still removable, they just require the right equipment and expertise.
We grind all stumps until the roots are gone or until we reach the mechanical limit of our machinery. In almost every case, we remove the stump as required by the customer to make space for grass, landscaping, cement, or a new tree. Let us know exactly what your plans are for the area so that we can provide the service to match your needs.
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What to expect if you do not remove the stump
Rotting roots underground can sometimes produce mushrooms visible above ground. The mushrooms are an indication of rot.
Do you have a bush where a stump used to be? Old-time farmers (and maybe your folks!) used to call these suckers or volunteers. The stump is still in the middle of the bush. You can cut that bush down as many times as you like, but it will keep coming back! Many types of trees are resilient. The bush is a stress response to the tree suddenly being cut down. You may also notice larger leaves forming. These leaves are trying desperately to do the sunlight collection that the tree’s canopy of leaves used to do. Unless you grind the stump out, it will be exceedingly difficult to discourage this process completely.
Can’t I poison the stump until it rots away? Here at Colorado Stump Removal, we do not use poison. We have been called out to many estimates where customers tell us that poison didn’t work. In addition to its lack of effectiveness, we are against putting toxins into the ground.
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Removing a stump yourself
Call us to come out and give you a free estimate before you do anything. In most cases, you don’t even need to be there. Our price includes stump removal as well as all of the mulch created during the grinding process. Our prices are affordable, and excellent clean up is always part of our price.
When pricing out tree removals, we list stump removal as a separate line item. In addition, we work closely with several tree care companies that do not have their own stump removal equipment.
Does the stump grinding process make a mess?
The stump grinding process creates a lot of material. Depending on the size, type, and depth of your stump, this material could range in texture and color from beige woodchips to mulch. With larger stumps that require grinding lower beneath ground level, more dirt gets added to the mixture of debris. Removal of this debris is always included in our price but can be subtracted from the cost if the customer chooses to save on cost or would like to use the mulch for something else. While the mulch left behind after a stump removal doesn’t look as nice as what you’d find at your local landscape supply center, it is actually likely that it’s a superior organic mixture.
Colorado Stump Removal is rated very highly for our excellent job cleaning up. Check out some of our reviews to see for yourself.
DIY = Don’t Injure Yourself!!!
At Colorado Stump Removal, we use high-powered machinery designed for professionals. Our equipment isn’t meant for the do-it-yourself homeowner. We see ourselves as removing obstacles for DIY-ers so that they can continue with the tasks that are safer, and more their speed. Not only is our equipment tricky to maneuver and use, but it also creates a lot of power concentrated in a fast-moving and unprotected wheel. We wear protective equipment and follow documented procedures designed to keep employees safe.
In addition to possessing all the personal protective equipment and the debris-containment equipment, Colorado Stump Removal carries specific insurance that covers our employees, your home, and your property. We have years of experience grinding out thousands of stumps. We know how to operate the equipment required to safely and efficiently remove stumps so that you don’t have to.
Can I pave or pour concrete over the area where the stump was?
One important part of the paving or cement-pouring process is the planning and preparation phase. Contractors typically prep the area by removing soil, grading it flat, compacting, adding a base material like gravel, and then compacting again. Once the prep is complete, pouring can begin.
Because stumps eventually rot and decay, it is not suitable to leave them beneath new concrete or pavement. Because the stump grinding process cannot remove 100% of the roots, make sure the concrete/paving contractor takes this into consideration. An experienced contractor will know how to handle this situation. For this reason, it’s wise to hire an experienced concrete/paving contractor.
Can’t I go to the hardware store and rent a stump remover?
Yes, of course, you can. Might we suggest making some lemonade and watching us from the safety and comfort of your living room instead? Think about the extreme weather, the condition of your tools, not to mention the condition of your back! We do this kind of thing for breakfast!
Something to consider would be the condition of rental equipment. It can sometimes be poorly maintained by low-skilled staff. Also, if you don’t return the grinder with a full tank of gas you will be charged a fee. If the grinder is damaged or stolen that is going on your credit card!
Even if everything goes well with the rental, you may find that it is grossly underpowered for the task at hand. The $175 you spent for a 4-hour rental or $250 for the day gets you a small grinder. Our minimum of $150 covers most stumps up to 18”, which is very easy for equipment and our crews.
WHY IT'S BEST TO REMOVE A TREE STUMP
Tripping hazard
Playing catch, mowing the lawn, taking a stroll - oops!
Attracts pests
Over time, tree stumps attract pests like termites and carpenter ants.
Regrowth
Stumps often sprout new growth which you continually have to cut.
Book a free estimate today
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We pride ourselves on professionalism, top-notch service, and a safe removal.