Blog

7/28/2018

How Is Paper Made from Trees?

If you take a look around you right now, the odds are you see many paper products. Notebooks, mail, paper towels, coloring books, the list goes on and on. Even though we hear about our supposedly paperless world, we still have a lot of paper around us.

It is likely that as children we all learned that paper comes from trees. And depending on your age and where you grew up, you also may have heard a lot about protecting trees by not wasting paper.

But how does that process work? How does a giant, sturdy tree turn into something like a newspaper? The Chinese invented the paper-making process over 2000 years ago, and although the method is much more automated and updated now, the necessary steps remain the same. Let’s find out how it works.

Harvest the trees. Most paper starts from evergreen or coniferous trees. Softer wood such as that from pines makes the strongest papers. Federal and state regulations govern the harvesting of trees to ensure sustainable management.
Turn wood into pulp. The first step in this process is to mash up the raw wood and mix it with water to create pulp. This step can be done mechanically or chemically. The mechanical process results in a weaker paper, typically used for newsprint and phone books.
Remove the water. The soggy pulp is put on mesh screens to allow liquid to drain out. Then the pulp is pressed to further remove as much water as possible. In many factories, the sheets are then run through hot rollers for more drying.
Put it on rolls. Once the paper has been drained, pressed, and dried as thoroughly as possible, the sheets go onto giant rolls for processing. These rolls make their way to factories where machines cut them into proper dimensions for their intended use.

Although most paper originates from trees, some types of paper come from other plants such as cotton, hemp, straw, and recycled paper. If you’re interested in a fun project, you can even try making paper on your own. You may develop a great new skill!

7/21/2018

How to Remove Tree Stumps Without Using a Stump Grinder

As much as we all love trees and recognize their importance to our earth, most homeowners have to face having a tree removed at some point. Perhaps you have a tree that was damaged in a storm. Or maybe you’re adding onto your house, and a tree has to go to make room. Or perhaps you have an unhealthy tree that has lived its best life. But after the tree is gone, you’re left with the remains. If you have several trees removed, now you’re staring at many stumps.

How Do I Get Rid of the Stumps?
You could choose to go the decorative route and place some lovely planters or bird baths on your stumps. You could choose to use a stump grinder, either renting and running one yourself, or hiring a stump grinding service. This is an effective way to handle your stump problem if you don’t mind paying for the rental or the service, but it does carry some danger. You must handle the grinder with caution.

You could choose to let nature take its course and wait for the stumps to rot...maybe it will be done by the time your great-great-grandchildren are grown up. Or you could help the natural process along by taking care of the stump quickly.

If you’d prefer to remove your tree stumps without a grinder, you have two options. Let’s take a look:

Dig those stumps right out. This stump removal method is best when you are dealing with one or two small to medium-sized stumps. Larger remnants are very difficult to remove manually, and a forest of stumps would be a tremendous challenge to dig out.
Let science speed up Mother Nature’s work by using a chemical stump remover. These products are designed to rot the stump quickly, over a matter of weeks. This method is the right choice for large stumps and for properties with many stumps to remove.

Regardless of your preferred method for stump removal, the good news is that you don’t actually have to do it at all. If you are in the Rochester area, Rochester Stump Removal can take care of this chore for you. We will use whichever method fits the job and fits your preference to give you back your beautiful, clean landscaping.

7/14/2018

How to Find the Best Stump Grinding Near Me

If you’ve recently had trees removed from your property you may be staring at the leftover stumps and realizing there is still another chore to do. Tree removal is just the first step; now it’s time to get rid of the stumps.

Here’s how to find the best stump grinding services near you.

Ask for a reference from your tree removal company. Local arborists should be able to connect you with a reputable stump grinder in your area. If you used a tree removal service, ask them who they recommend.
Use social media to ask for recommendations. Your network of connections is likely to include someone who has used residential stump removal services. Most people are quick to chime in with suggestions on social media sites.
Check with your local nature park to see if they use a specific stump grinder service. Most stump grinders offer both residential and commercial services, so they may be able to refer you to someone nearby.
Try an internet search. Although the internet will cast a wide net, if you are specific enough in your search, you should be able to find stump grinders that serve your neck of the woods. Include your city or neighborhood name in your search for the best results.

Once you have found a few choices for stump removal, take the time to do a little research to see which is the right fit for your needs. Here are some important things to consider.

Cost. Be sure to get the cost in writing before work begins. If you are having several stumps removed, ask if that qualifies you for a discount.
Turn-around time. How far out are they booking? If you need this project done by a particular date, be sure the company can meet the deadline. Some companies get very busy in the spring and summer.
Safety. If you have children or pets around, you may not want the stump removal company using chemicals. Clarify with them what method they will be using to remove the stump.

If you are in the Rochester, NY area, we here at Rochester Stump Removal have you covered. Our experienced professionals will find the right service for your stump removal needs.

7/7/2018

How to Remove a Tree Stump

Trees are a beautiful addition to any property, but inevitably the time comes when one needs to be removed. Disease, storms, or poor location can lead to a tree having to come down. So what do you do with the stump once the tree is gone? Here are the most common options for dealing with a stump.

Dig It Out
Digging is a very labor-intensive choice for stump removal, but it is effective, especially for smaller tree stumps. This is also an excellent choice for those who want to avoid using chemicals. Here’s how it works:

Dig around the stump as deeply as you can to expose as much of the root as possible.
Use a root saw or loppers to cut through the roots. You can use an ax but do so with caution to avoid hitting rocks. The impact could shatter the ax head.
Use a hoe to lift the roots all the way out of the ground.
Dig down under the stump to remove it completely.

Grind It Up
Stump grinders can be purchased or rented at many home improvement stores. Use caution and follow instructions precisely as you grind up the stump and roots. Be sure to use proper protective gear for your eyes and ears.

Burn It
This choice is not available in all areas. Some municipalities have laws against burning, so be sure to check your local codes first. If it is legal, build a fire around the stump and monitor as it burns. It can take several hours so be prepared to keep it going long enough to be effective.

Use a Chemical Stump Remover
The chemical option requires minimal effort, but it is a slow process, usually taking several weeks for the stump to rot enough for easy removal. You also need to be very careful with this process as the powder is dangerous when ingested. Children and pets must stay away from the chemicals.

Drill several large, evenly spaced holes in the stump. Pour the stump removal powder into the holes. After a few weeks, the stump should be soft enough to remove easily.

For any of the above options, be sure to remove all debris from the hole and then fill in with loam or sawdust. You may need to refill periodically as the materials settle.

Call a Professional
If you do not have the time, energy, or interest to tackle this project on your own, no worries. Rochester Stump Removal offers stump removal and grinding services for both commercial and residential properties. Give us a call today and our experts will handle this for you safely and efficiently.

YOUR CART

ROCHESTER STUMP REMOVAL BLOG

How Is Paper Made from Trees?

How to Remove Tree Stumps Without Using a Stump Grinder

How to Find the Best Stump Grinding Near Me

How to Remove a Tree Stump

Author

Archives

Categories

Home

Services

About

Contact