Services In Aberdeen – Tree Stump Removal

Chemicals can be applied to living stumps and roots to kill them more quickly and to speed up the rotting process. Deep holes are drilled in the stump and filled with chemical granules: This enables the stump to decay more rapidly over several months, either to a point where they can be more easily dug/ chopped out, or to be left for longer when they may be able to be burned out.  In this stump removal method the chemicals (potassium nitrates or bromides) are not very environmentally friendly; plus the site must be fenced or closed off to prevent access by wildlife or children. Chemical treatments are unlikely to be recommended by Arborist-Direct.

If a tree stump can be left for two or three years it may be possible to burn the dead, dry remains using kerosene: Many deep holes are drilled into the stump from the top and sides, the holes are filled with kerosene and allowed to soak into the dead wood. After a few days additional kerosene is applied to the holes and ignited using cloth wicks. The burning stump is fuelled by air entering through the horizontal holes drilled in the stump sides. If burning continues, it will take several days to consume the tree stump to a level where the ground can be recovered for other uses. This method of stump removal is not guaranteed to be successful and is very time consuming as the whole process takes several years. Undoubtedly it is extremely low cost!

Tree stump removal can be made to appear as a very simple task: Clients may be tempted by promotions to attempt a super-cheap solution by following the route to remove a tree stump with a chain-saw: This is a very dangerous activity and should certainly not be undertaken by any amateur woodsman. Hitting a stone with a chainsaw will at least result in a damaged saw and may result in multiple projectiles hurting the operator or other bystanders; plus, the chain saw may jam or kick as it is used in a non-designed manner.

Arborist Direct Aberdeen would rarely suggest that any Aberdeen tree stump removal should be attempted with a chain saw.

Stump Grinding machines are the most common and safest way to remove tree stumps: They should be operated by trained Technicians certified in their use. As with all other Tree Surgeon work the machine operators must be equipped with the correct personal protective equipment. Arborist-Direct Tree Surgeons are able to advise on the most appropriate equipment for the task in-hand.

Stump grinders are usually petrol motor powered machines, moved on two or four wheels; the larger, more commercial, ones move on caterpillar-tracks. Cutting is performed by a vertical rotating wheel ( ‘blade’) mounted with tungsten carbide cutters: these cutters can be adjusted or exchanged to give the most efficient cutting action. The wood of the tree stump is milled into coarse sawdust or mulch by moving the rotating cutter ‘blade’ across the stump in a horizontal arc. The cutting arc is gradually moved forward and down as the stump is removed in layers.

The simplest devices are manually pushed on two wheels to the location, where one wheel is locked and the other swung around it, moving the vertical cutting blade in a horizontal arc across the stump surface. Larger, one man operated, machines have powered traction wheels and a swivel mechanism allowing both transport wheels to be locked whilst the cutter can be more accurately positioned and progressed. Even larger machines have four wheels, capable of more commercial tree stump removal, but these require two operators. The largest machines are propelled across any terrain by utilising caterpillar tracks – these can be widened or narrowed depending on the access space and terrain needing more stabilisation. The most commercial machines used in forestry can be radio controlled by remote operators, well clear of the aggressive cutting action.

Costing – Tree Stump Removal using Stump Grinders becomes a cost effective, routine operation when planned and executed by experienced Tree Surgeons and trained Technicians. Assessing the work scope and knowing the equipment to be utilised enables Arborist-Direct Aberdeen to provide accurate cost estimates for most tree stump removal projects.