If you have had to remove one or more trees in your back garden because they were deemed to be unsafe or were growing in close proximity to the property, you may be looking at what's left. You may understand that your next task is to get rid of the remnants and wonder how you should go about it. Should you introduce chemicals to try and do the job for you, or should you approach it a different way? What are the pros and cons?

Why You Need to Worry About the Roots

Healthy trees should be encouraged at all costs, but those that pose a threat to life or property have to be removed. More often than not, the threat posed by a specific tree is to adjoining property, as certain species are very invasive. Sometimes, the roots will seek out underground plumbing due to the moisture content found on the outside of the pipes, or they will penetrate underneath a home's slab foundation and cause issues. In these cases, getting rid of the trunk is only part of the battle, as a root structure may in some cases continue to grow even after the tree itself has been cut down.

Why Chemicals May Not Be Suitable

Some people advocate using chemicals, but much will depend on the type of tree and the prevailing climate. In predominantly dry and warm locations, such chemicals may be slow to work and may, in fact, leave the heart of the stump intact. You also have to consider what type of chemical you're using. Most of them come with warnings attached, and you are advised not to let pets play in the area once the chemicals have been administered. This is because in some cases it can leach into the ground around the stump, and this can cause the entire area to die off.

Therefore, if you have vegetation or a well-manicured lawn in close proximity to the stump, you should think carefully before trying to apply remover chemicals or stump killer to the stump.

Don't Risk Termites

Where the offending item is very close to your home, you should also be aware that this could represent a potentially attractive home for termites and ought to be removed as soon as possible.

Getting the Experts to Advise You

Have a word with stump grinding experts first, to see if they can come in and clean everything up in short order, without the need to rely on long-term chemical application.