Being a family of arborists, we are all suckers for great-looking trees in our backyard. We treat each one of them like our own children. Unfortunately, every now and then, they will have lived their lifespan and need to be felled. This might leave an uncool sight on the lawn. 

While some people might try to rework the stump to make it a part of the garden landscaping (converting them into tables, birdbath, etc.) using their own creativity, some of us would prefer to completely remove it completely. For stump grinding in Canterbury, the best tools one can use are a stump grinder, a power tool that grinds tree stumps into wooden chips.

However, grinding down the stump is only Step One. Once the stump grinding is over, you’ll be left with a hole, a bare patch of ground, and a large pile of stump grindings. These collectively will bring down your lawn’s appeal. But for us arborists this is where the fun begins, and we can start getting your lawn back to its former glory.

In this blog post, we are going to talk about some of the best ways to get your lawn back in shape after stump removal.

Tips to save you time and effort for post-stump grinding hassles in Canterbury.

Have the debris removed

The key to gardening success is good planning. Grass doesn’t grow well on wood chips, so make sure the area is cleared properly, including removing any branches, exposed roots, and wood chips. To eliminate excess exposed roots, you may need to use clippers or saws.

Sow the area with grass seeds

Once the stump grindings have been removed, fill the hole with topsoil until the ground is slightly higher than the surrounding area; once the soil has settled, it will be level with the rest of the garden. Then, by hand, sow the grass seeds, evenly dispersing them and ensuring that you have a good amount of seed per square inch. For the best coverage, crisscross the area. Rake the seeds into the soil and cover the entire area with a quarter-inch of topsoil. 

Needless to say, you can always sow any type of seed you want. Just make sure you know which type of plants will grow best in your soil and climate.

Maintain the fresh grass or plant

You’ll need to give the area some tender loving care (TLC) once you’ve put in all that effort. Keep the ground moist and use a fine mist setting on your sprayer – but beware of overwatering your seeds and washing them away. Once the grass has grown an inch or two, it can be considered well-formed and can be treated like the rest of the lawn.

What should you do with the woodchips?

Producing some mulch

One can easily produce mulches from stump chippings in very simple ways. It’s also a cost-efficient way to save money, as buying mulch for landscaping projects can be costly. With those wood chips available at your disposal, you can use them to add some kerb appeal and cover soil and plants. To get started, you’ll need a rake, wheelbarrow, and shovel.

The following is a five-step process for preparing garden mulch:

• Accumulate the chips in a pile with a rake.
• Later, gather them into the wheelbarrow, being careful not to overfill it with soil.
• Skim through the pile, remove the grass but keep the leaves and pine needles for use.
• Apply mulch in even layers around your plants, but make sure they aren’t too dense. For smaller plants, the thickness should not be more than 3”, while for larger plants, the thickness should be around 6”.
• Avoid placing the wood chips directly against a plant to avoid decay and infestations. Decaying of wood chips can cause nitrogen deficiency (if the plant stops growing). To counter the effect you can apply a nitrogen-rich fertiliser to address the issue.

Creating unique walkways

Stump chippings can be used to create beautiful landscape designs. Homeowners can use this wood to create a warm and welcoming walkway that gives their property a distinct look.

You can also add borders and paving stones to your design using the chips as filler. This is an excellent way to create a weed-free walking space that’s easy to refill once the chips compress or decompose.

Using them as a filler in your landscape

Use the stump grinding wood chips in Canterbury as a landscape filler in areas around the house that need some grooming. These easy ways to improve the look of your space can make a big difference. 

Cover areas to avoid the formation of puddles

Low areas in your lawn that are becoming puddles can serve as a distraction from the aesthetic value of your lawn. You can decorate them, add plants, and make them a safer place to walk by filling them in.

Spread in raised garden beds

Use chips in your garden to help the soil while also giving the beds a neat and tidy appearance. To add a neat appearance, take some extra chips and make a path around the beds.

Use them in playset areas

Use those wood chips to secure the kid’s zone area from any potholes, while making them safer and more beautiful for your children.

Wood chips have a lot of uses, so reusing them as filler or design material is a creative way to go.

Hire a Professional Tree Service

For all of your tree planting, pruning, and removal needs, you should hire a professional tree service. Stump grinding is a multi-stage process that requires patience and consistent effort to ensure that the job is completed correctly and that the area is safe to use again.

Our expert arborists at ProArb Canterbury’s Tree Service are trained to use the most up-to-date equipment and technology, so you can rest assured that the job will be done safely and efficiently. Our goal is to keep your trees looking beautiful for as long as possible, and our team has a reputation for providing excellent residential and commercial tree services. Learn more about our professional tree services.