William Bird Tree Services offer a number of Tree Stump  services

Our felling operations normally cut trees to a few inches from the soil level. Following this, a decision needs to be made on how the stump is treated, retained or removed completely.

Stump retained for coppice regrowth

Coppicing is a traditional method of managing certain species (e.g. Sweet Chestnut) in order to promote the formation of multiple stems from near ground-level for use as wood products.

In order to create a coppice stool, a maiden tree should normally be cut near ground-level, unless experience (e.g. with particular species, on sites subject to flooding or with trees over a certain age) indicates that this would result in little or no new growth.

Stump removal

If, owing to its location, a stump is considered to be a significant trip hazard or a source of a pathogen (e.g. certain Armillaria spp.) that could affect retained trees, it should be either removed or destroyed. This is achieved by digging out or grinding.

It is not normally practicable to remove the whole root system or even all of the major roots.

Dead roots rot slowly and their place is usually taken by fine soil particles, therefore soil collapse is very unlikely to occur. 

Digging out stumps

Stump removal by digging out should include disposal/utilization of the woody material. Whether done by hand or machine, digging out can cause severe disturbance to the site. 

After stump removal

The hole left by stump removal, whether by digging out or grinding, should be filled with soil or other material. The filling should be appropriate for future site usage, and for any surface treatment that is to be installed.

Where future plant growth is desired, the backfill material should be firmed in 150 mm layers by treading, avoiding excessive compaction and destruction of the soil structure.