3 Reasons To Remove Stumps In Your Yard
Many homeowners take pride in the appearance of their homes, including their outdoor living space. But if you are busy, you may be putting off having a stump removed from your yard, and perhaps you believe that it can wait because although the stump may detract from the overall aesthetic of your yard, it poses no real risk. However, this approach is likely to lead to a variety of problems. Following are just three of the many reasons why it's best to remove a stump from your yard as soon as possible rather than putting it off.
Stumps Provide Habitats for Insect Pests
Because stumps take a long time to decompose, they provide accessible habitats for a wide variety of Insect pests. One of the major culprits is ants, and although ants won't do any damage to your lawn or any other nearby vegetation, it's likely that they'll eventually make their way into your home if they become established somewhere in your yard. Termites are also drawn to stumps and can do significant damage to your home if they make their way inside. Other insects that are attracted to stumps include beetles, wood-boring insects, and even mosquitos if rainwater tends to collect in pockets on the stump.
Stumps Attract Fungal Pathogens
Because decaying organic matter is the preferred habitat of many fungal pathogens, stumps are often quickly overrun by everything from powdery mildew that can infest neighboring annuals, perennials, and vegetable plants to fruiting mushrooms that can wreak havoc on your lawn. Fungal pathogens can be very difficult to get rid of once they get a foothold, so it's best to remove stumps as a precautionary measure before they can get established.
Stumps Pose a Basic Safety Hazard
As stumps continue to decay, their wood becomes increasingly unstable, brittle, and weak. Because most children can't resist climbing on a stump, this poses a substantial safety risk. Even if you don't have children or grandchildren, the stump can be a liability if a visiting child is injured as a result of trying to play on the stump. Stumps that are close to the ground pose a safety hazard as well because they aren't easily seen. Lawn care equipment may hit the stump accidentally and possibly injury the person operating it, which may cause a legal liability for you if you've hired a yard care service.
To learn more, go to websites about tree and stump removal.