There are many reasons why you may want to remove the tree on your Cape Cod property. It may have to do with the fact that the tree is posing safety risks to you and your loved one, the wood has become weak, diseased, or anything else that justifies its removal. If you’re wondering whether you have to remove the tree roots after the tree removal, then that’s what we are discussing in this article.
Before we talk about what you should do after tree root removal in Cape Cod, it is important to say that you should always seek help from a professional arborist with the tree removal process. Tree removal can be dangerous work that requires expertise to execute and you don’t want to be a victim of the dangers involved.
What Happens to Tree Roots When a Tree Is Cut Down?
Many times when a tree is cut down, its trunk is either chipped into mulch and moved away, or it is cut into small blocks for other uses. But the roots of the tree are left in the ground. Of course, with the absence of leaves, the roots cannot get nutrients from the cut tree for its growth. However, enough nutrients may still be available in the roots or the leftover stump for the growth of sprouts. A sprout can eventually grow into a big tree if it develops enough leaves.
If a tree doesn’t develop root sprouts, its roots will most likely decompose rather than regrow in a tree. Examples of trees that don’t grow back from the roots include oaks, pines, and maples. However, there are some species of trees that sprout aggressively from the roots even after they are cut down with their stumps ground up. Because of their aggressive spread, these species are considered invasive. Examples of these tree species include willows, elms, and Ficus. Generally, trees that grow fast are more likely to grow back and those that are slow-growing don’t grow back.
Why should you remove tree roots?
The following are some of the problems that come with not completing tree root removal in Cape Cod:
Property damage
As earlier stated, there are trees whose roots will continue to grow from the stump even after cutting down the tree. In situations like this, the roots may keep spreading to other parts of the landscape. When left unaddressed, they may even wrap around pipes and eventually crack them. These spreading roots can even begin to lift pavements such as driveways, patios, and sidewalks, and may even cause damage to the home’s foundation.
So, it is important that the stump is removed before they start to wreak havoc on the property.
Safety hazards
With tree roots running through your landscape comes the risk of someone tripping when walking or playing. This can cause serious injury to anyone that falls onto it. If you have children living with you, this is more reason to pay attention to the roots on your landscape.
You also need to think about the maintenance of your landscape. There’s the risk of damaging your lawnmower and getting injured when it comes in contact with tree roots.
Pests and insect infestations
When tree roots are left after tree removal, they will attract pests and insects such as carpenter ants which will begin to build nests in the tree stump, and eventually will decompose the stump. However, with time, these insects will begin to spread to other parts of the property and infect other plants and trees, and even your home. It’s a good idea to get tree root removal for your Cape Cod home.
Also, things such as rodents, snakes, termites, wood wasps, beetles, and fungi can spread to other trees and even invade your home. Not only can these pose health and safety risks, they can also be expensive and time-consuming to eliminate.
Curb appeal
The curb appeal of your property can be reduced by the presence of tree stumps and roots in your yard. Also, if you plan to sell your home in the future, know that potential buyers may not be eager to buy a property that can cause hazards.
Removing the stumps and roots from the property will make the landscape much cleaner. You can even take a step further to boost the curb appeal by repurposing the free space with things such as a flower bed, patio set, picnic table, etc.
Conclusion
After tree removal from your Cape Cod property, it is important that you remove the roots too. Not removing tree roots after tree removal has many downsides including safety risks, a decline in your property’s curb appeal, and ultimately, a reduction in your property’s value.
It is best to consult professional and reputable arborists to help in your tree removal process. Check out Angie’s list of the top arborists in Cape Cod.
