Is Simply Burying My Tree Stump A Good Option?

When a tree is eliminated, there is that little part that stays connected to roots and goes deep into the soil. Stump removal is way more complicated than removing the limbs and trunk. For stump removal, there are a few options. Digging it up or grounding it down removes the last fragments of the tree from the earth. The best part is you don’t have to deal with anything from that tree ever again. But you could also bury the stump.

Burying My Tree Stump
When a tree stump is buried, the wood will continue to rot. The slow decline of wood within the soil brings modifications to the surrounding soil. Over time, these changes can play a massive part to the soil that is right over the buried stump.

As time goes on, the soil on top fills the air pockets made by rotting wood, creating a sinkhole. This has caused a few fatalities. As a result, many city ordinances now prohibit stump burying to stop this issue. You should consider contacting a Rochester tree service company to find out the guidelines for the burying of stumps.

Laws on Burying
The enforcement of any stump burying laws is hard. Finding the guilty party of burying a stump is simplest when they are caught in the act. But usually, folks are smart enough to bury stumps without the help of professionals. Or, they bury stumps not realizing that they’re doing anything wrong.

Other Issues
Besides sinkholes, debris and buried stumps contribute to other issues. Decaying wood entices ants and roaches. Moreover, if the decomposing wood contains moisture, foul water will go into the ground. This could be an issue for nearby areas in which groundwater is the water source, or there are wells.

The next time you cut down a tree and want to bury the stump, consider the consequences, not just for yourself, but for other folks as well. Contact a Rochester arborist about stump burying ordinances and laws. Then make your decision. You might decide, or you might decide to remove it entirely and be done with it.​

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