You’re about to get the stump ground out and someone mentioned that the roots keep growing even after grinding. Now you’re wondering if you’re paying to solve half the problem and the roots are just going to keep spreading underground and causing issues for years.
It’s a fair question and the answer is more reassuring than you might expect.
Dead Roots Don’t Grow
Once the tree is gone the roots are no longer alive in the way that matters. A living tree pushes energy and water through its root system constantly. That’s what drives growth. When the tree is removed and the stump is ground down the root system loses its energy source. The roots that are left in the ground are not actively growing outward looking for new territory. They’re just sitting there slowly breaking down.
This is the part that surprises most homeowners. They imagine the roots continuing to spread and push through things for years after the tree is gone. That’s not what happens. Without a living tree driving them the roots stop growing and start decomposing.
How Long Does It Take for Roots To Break Down?
This varies depending on the species of tree, the size of the root system and the conditions in the soil. In Spring Hill’s climate the combination of heat and humidity actually speeds up decomposition compared to drier or cooler parts of the country. Fine roots break down within a year or two. Larger structural roots take longer, sometimes several years for the biggest ones.
During that breakdown process the roots get softer and more spongy. The soil around them may settle slightly as the material compresses. For most homeowners this is not noticeable in day to day lawn use. You might see a very slight depression develop in an area where a major root was located but it’s typically minor and fills in naturally over time.
What About Roots That Were Already Causing Problems?
This is where the answer changes. If a root was already growing into something before the tree came down, that root stopping its active growth doesn’t mean the problem it created goes away on its own.
A root that worked its way into a sewer line is still in that sewer line after grinding. A root that cracked a section of driveway or pushed up against a fence post left physical damage that needs to be addressed regardless of whether the root is still growing. The root being dead doesn’t repair the damage it already caused.
If roots were causing a specific problem before the tree came down mention that when you call about grinding. A crew can give you a realistic picture of what grinding will solve and what may need additional attention.
What About New Sprouts Coming Up From the Roots?
Some tree species send up new growth from the roots after the tree is removed. You’ll see this as small shoots or sprouts coming up from the ground in the area where the tree was, sometimes several feet away from where the stump was located. This is the root system making one last attempt to regrow before it runs out of stored energy.
This sprouting usually stops within a season or two as the root system depletes its reserves. If it’s persistent or aggressive you can apply a stump killer product to the cut surface of the stump before grinding or treat the sprouts as they appear. Most species in Spring Hill don’t sprout aggressively enough to be a long term problem.
Will the Roots Damage Anything While They Decompose?
For most residential situations in Spring Hill no. Roots decomposing underground don’t push or crack things the way living growing roots can. The process is essentially the wood slowly turning into organic material that gets incorporated into the soil.
The one scenario worth knowing about is if you’re planning to build something over the area where the root system was. A deck, a concrete pad, a fence line running through that area. Decomposing organic material underground can cause settling as it breaks down. If you’re planning construction in that area it’s worth mentioning to whoever is doing the work so they can account for it.
For most homeowners who just want the stump gone and the lawn looking right, the roots left underground after grinding are not something you need to worry about. The stump is gone, the visible problem is solved and the roots take care of themselves over time.
If you’re ready to get the stump out of your yard, get a free estimate from Spring Hill Tree Specialists and we’ll come out and tell you exactly what the job involves.