In short
Leave it if it is out of the way and the tree was healthy. Grind it out if you want to use the space, if it keeps sprouting, or if the tree died of honey fungus: the RHS says the only effective remedy for honey fungus is to dig out and destroy the infected stump and roots.
This is a job for our Stump Grinding service.
Reasons to leave a stump
- It is in a part of the garden you do not use.
- The tree was healthy when it came down.
- Dead wood is useful habitat for insects and fungi.
Reasons to take it out
- You want to lay turf, plant or pave over the spot.
- It is a trip hazard or in the way of a mower.
- It keeps sending up new shoots.
- Honey fungus is suspected.
Honey fungus
The RHS describes honey fungus as fungi that attack and kill the roots of many woody and perennial plants, with white fungal growth between bark and wood at ground level the most typical symptom. Its mushrooms can appear around dead stumps in autumn. There are no chemicals available to control it; if it is confirmed, the only effective remedy is to remove and destroy the infected stump and root material.
What we do
We grind stumps below ground and can remove the chippings so infected material does not stay on site. See stump grinding.