Once the tree has been felled in the home garden, a (mostly unpleasant) tree stump remains. On the one hand, this can easily be left behind as a decorative element, where it can serve as a shelter for numerous insects and small organisms. However, a tree stump is not always desirable in the garden, which is why it should preferably be removed. There are numerous methods for this, the most popular variant being milling out with a root cutter.
What is a stump grinder?
The stump grinder is a motor-driven forestry device that is also used in gardening. Often this is also referred to as a stump grinder, root grinder or stump grinder. The stump grinder is used to remove stumps and tree roots. This is a particularly safe and quick method to remove the remains of a tree. The stump grinder is characterized by the following elements:
- it has a mobile base and is therefore mobile
- it also has a hydraulic drive
- with this the milling arm and the milling disc are moved
- the milling disc has a fixed wear area
- and interchangeable milling teeth
- which are also hard metal coated
Benefits of Using a Root Cutter
There are numerous ways to remove the unwanted tree stump, such as burning it out or rotting by adding chemical agents. However, these methods are not always effective, mostly dangerous and also harm the environment, which is why these variants are not advisable. Milling out with a stump grinder, on the other hand, is environmentally friendly and also has the following advantages:
- the surrounding area is spared
- and collateral damage can be avoided
- it is relatively time-saving and requires little physical effort
- because there is no need to dig a hole
- And sawing off the root parts is also no longer necessary
- in addition, no additional equipment (such as an excavator) is required
Milling out the tree stump - preparation
Before starting to mill out the stump, you should first ensure that there is sufficient space for the equipment. Because the sizes of the root stock cutters sometimes vary depending on the strength of the model. Since the stump grinder is a heavy device, which brings with it the risk of injury that should not be underestimated, appropriate protective equipment should be used. It is advisable to wear the following protective clothing:
- safety goggles
- gloves
- ear protection
- sturdy shoes
This is how the milling out of the tree stump works
When milling out, patience is required, because the work process should be carried out carefully and carefully. First, the stump grinder is brought within reach of the tree stump and then the wheels are fixed. Because only then is the working axis released. Then the milling cutter is placed over the stump and milling can be started. It is best to proceed as follows:
- first mill out the surface
- this is done by rapidly rotating the milling disc
- it is therefore not necessary to apply strong downward physical pressure
- after the first centimeters have been removed, the milling cutter must be moved back
- the working axis must be free for this
- otherwise safe operation of the device cannot be guaranteed
- repeat the process until the stump is removed
- respectively. until the desired depth is reached
Tip: Do not throw away the remains of the tree stump, as these are great for mulching!
Anyone who cannot use the remains can easily dispose of them on the compost.After milling - removal of the roots
After the stump has been milled out, it is important to consider what should happen to the roots. First of all, the type of tree plays a role, because the roots of conifers can be left in the ground without any problems, as they will not continue to grow. The roots of freshly felled deciduous trees, on the other hand, can still sprout after a few years. If you want to remove the roots, you have the following options:
- Removal by specialist staff
- remove yourself with a stump grinder
- remove yourself with an ax and spade
- Leave the roots in place
Remove the roots with the stump grinder
If you want to remove the tree roots with a stump grinder, you should always pay attention to protective clothing, as when milling the stump. Wearing sturdy shoes, gloves and protective goggles is essential and considerably reduces the risk of injury. It is also advisable to have a spade on hand. Because this is needed to expose the roots. When milling off the roots, please note the following:
- first expose the roots with the spade
- and remove larger stones in the immediate vicinity
- because these can damage the milling disc
- then remove the tree roots piece by piece
- If new lawn is sown at this point, a depth of about 15 cm is sufficient
- then fill the hole with soil
Tip: It is often advisable to pour salt into the ground to kill existing tree roots. However, this should be avoided as it would kill all vegetation in this area and could also contaminate the groundwater.
Acquisition of a stump grinder
For many private individuals, it is usually not worthwhile to purchase a root stock grinder. This is largely due to the fact that the device is not being used often enough. In addition, the purchase price is in the higher price segment and can be several thousand euros. A cheaper way to get a stump grinder is to buy a used device. There are numerous platforms on the Internet where used stump grinders are offered for sale. When choosing the right model, the size of the tree stump to be removed should be taken into account. As a rule, a distinction is made between the following models:
Small to medium models
These are particularly suitable for landscape gardeners and private individuals. The small models are usually particularly compact and comparatively relatively inexpensive. In contrast to the larger models, they are mostly from
Hand guided and also have the following properties:- Weight: about 100 to 200 kilograms
- Milling edge diameter: approx. 25 to 40 cm
- is suitable for tree stumps with a diameter of 13 to 20 cm
Big models
The large models are heavy devices that should preferably be operated by specialist staff. These root stock cutters sometimes have a drive and are often equipped with a movable control panel. The main features of these models include:
- Weight: over 200 kilograms
- is suitable for extremely large tree stumps
- some models have a radio remote control
Rent a stump grinder
An even cheaper option is to borrow a stump grinder. Numerous providers can be found on the Internet who make their models available for rent. Before the device is borrowed, the size of the tree stump should first be determined. Because the larger the stump, the stronger the model used for milling should be. When renting a stump grinder, the following points must also be observed:
- A car trailer is usually required to transport the stump grinder
- however, some providers also deliver the device
- the costs are usually calculated by the hour or per day
Tip: If you are using the stump grinder for the first time, you should ideally be instructed in the handling of the device by a specialist beforehand. Many providers also offer this for free!
Costs for professional milling
Hobby gardeners who are not familiar with the handling of a root stock grinder should preferably employ trained specialists for the milling. There are now numerous companies that offer the professional removal of tree stumps at a relatively low price. The pricing can vary, with usually varying between billing by the hour or billing by measure. The costs are calculated as follows:
- Billing by the hour: around 90 to 110 euros per hour
- Billing based on measurements: around 1 to 2 euros per cm
- depends either on the diameter or the circumference of the tree stump
Tip: Many providers also offer the possibility of a free first visit incl. to take advantage of a non-binding consultation. In addition, there is often the possibility that the provider will remove the remains of the tree stump after it has been cut out.
Conclusion
Milling out a tree stump with a stump grinder is a quick and environmentally friendly method of removing an unwanted tree stump. The device can either be bought or rented for this purpose. If you are not familiar with the handling of the stump grinder, you should preferably employ qualified personnel to remove the tree stump.
