Stump and Tree Advice
Plain answers to the questions Clearwater homeowners ask about stumps, roots and trees.
What are the downsides of stump grinding?
Stump grinding leaves the roots in the ground, along with a pile of wood chips and a hole that can settle, and some trees send up new shoots from what is left.
Read the answerHow deep should a tree stump be ground down?
For a lawn, grind the stump 4 to 6 inches below the soil; go deeper, often 8 to 12 inches or more, if you plan to plant a tree, build a bed or lay pavers in that spot.
Read the answerWhat month should trees be pruned in Florida?
For most shade trees in Florida, late winter (roughly December through February) is the best time to prune: before the spring growth flush and well ahead of hurricane season.
Read the answerHow many branches can you cut off a tree without killing it?
Most healthy trees can lose up to about a quarter of their live leaves and branches in one year without lasting harm, but cutting more than that, or cutting the wrong branches, can kill a tree slowly.
Read the answerWill a ground stump grow back?
Usually not: grinding removes the part of the stump where most new shoots start, but a few kinds of trees can still send up sprouts from roots or from a shallow grind.
Read the answerCan you plant a new tree where a stump was ground?
Yes, but plant a few feet to one side of the old trunk, or prepare the old spot properly first, because the old roots, the wood chips and any disease left in the soil can hold a young tree back.
Read the answerWhat happens to the wood chips after stump grinding?
The grinder turns the stump into a pile of chips and soil, which usually goes back into the hole and around it, and you can keep it as mulch, spread it elsewhere or have the extra hauled away.
Read the answerDo I need a permit to remove a tree in Clearwater?
Often, yes: Clearwater regulates the removal of many trees on private property, so check with the city before a healthy, good-sized tree comes down, though small trees, some palms and trees that pose a documented danger may be handled differently.
Read the answerHow do I get rid of a palm tree stump?
The quickest way to get rid of a palm stump is to grind it below ground and fill the hole with soil, but a small palm stump left in sandy ground will often soften and break down within a few seasons by itself.
Read the answerIs stump grinding safe near a septic tank or sprinkler lines?
Usually yes, as long as the septic system and sprinkler lines are found and marked before grinding starts, and the grinder stays shallow and clear of the drainfield.
Read the answer
Get Started
Send us a photo of the stump
Take a picture with something next to the stump for scale, tell us what you want in that spot, and we will get back to you with a quote. You can also call during business hours.