We use several different safe work methods at Proleaf to carry out stump removal however stump grinding is the most common. Stump grinding is generally the fastest and most efficient way to remove a tree stump completely. Depending on access in Melbourne and the size of the stump, we can pair the appropriate machine to the task. If stump grinding isn’t possible or you have a large construction site project, our stump grubbing and digging service may be best. We ensure that we are clear and upfront about the depth we can grind down too and how the site will be left on completion of the works.
Stumps may be removed for a variety of different reasons and this will highlight to us how the work needs to be carried out. Whether we are removing a stump to stop it growing back or to allow replanting, we make sure the job is carried out safely and professionally. Firstly, let us explain a bit about what stump grinding is and how it works.
Before starting on any stump grinding project, we make sure that there are no underground services present by carrying out an underground utility location inspection. This is important when carrying out any excavation works, it is important to know what’s below the ground before commencing.
Assuming there are no underground pipes or cables present, we will then prepare the tree stump for removal. We then assess the height of the stump and determine whether or not we can cut the stump down any lower using a chainsaw before we start using the stump grinder. This allows the machine to be more efficient and minimises the amount of mulch or debris that is produced from the grinding.
We then set up our worksite to prevent any damage to people or property. Stump grinders are loud machines so we need to set up an exclusion zone to reduce noise levels to anyone in the vicinity of the machine. Our operators wear full personal protective equipment that is rated to Australian Standards and approved by Safe Work Australia. We also set up protective screen shields to stop any flying debris exiting the worksite and causing any damage to windows, vehicles or other property.
As with any cutting tool or machinery, it is important that is well serviced, well maintained and the cutting teeth are sharp. Before starting our stump grinding machines we make sure all of the above is carried out as well as conducting pre-operational checks.
Apologies if you know how stump grinders work already, however most people have never seen one in action. It is difficult to explain how stump grinders work on paper however we will do our best. There are many different stump grinding machines available but they all work on pretty much the same principle.
Stump grinders are a piece of machinery powered by a petrol or diesel motor. The motor drives a large, heavy spinning wheel that has tungsten teeth spread out evenly on the wheel. These teeth are not necessarily razor-sharp but act like hammers, chipping the stump into small pieces. On smaller stump grinders, the machine is moved side to side and up and down manually by the operator. The machine chips away one sweep at a time, taking a layer of wood at a time. The wood chips produced mix in with the soil and create a woody mulch. This process is repeated until the tree stump is completely removed and no large wood pieces are left.
Larger machines do the same job except they have hydraulic controls. These controls not only drive the machine into place, they control the height and width of the cutting wheel. This makes things easy on the operator and the larger the machine the deeper it can grind. However, depending on where the stump is located, is what machine can physically access the tree stump.
Stump grinding can be very messy but this is not a problem for us! We agree on how the site will be left with our clients before starting work. When stumps have been ground with a stump grinder, the pile of mulch produced is usually a lot larger than the stump once was. The soil and wood mix becomes aerated or ‘fluffy’. Most of the mulch can be compacted back into the hole if the project allows or the mulch can be removed completely.
We encourage our clients to keep the mulch for their garden as it is good for flower beds or mulching other trees. In residential gardens, we usually leave the site level and clean, ready for replanting or lawn reinstatement. We rake up the mulch, blow down the garden with a leaf blower and hopefully leave the garden cleaner than when we arrived! On a construction site stump grinding project, usually, the arisings can be left and utilised elsewhere.
The natural bi-product of stump grinding is mulch. As we are stump grinding specialists we encounter lots of mulch in our day to day operations. We are committed to recycling 100% of our mulch as it has so many uses rather than it going to landfill. In most cases, we encourage our clients to keep the mulch on-site and use it but of course, this is not always an option. When we do remove mulch from stump grinding job sites, we can deliver it as is or store it at our depot for future projects. The mulch makes a great addition to organic compost.
Stump grinding mulch can be used on flower beds to retain moisture and keep out frost. It can also be used to provide nutrition to other trees or shrubs. There are many uses for mulch around the garden or property and we don’t waste a single shovel load. If you would like us to deliver mulch in Melbourne, please contact us.
In some cases, tree stumps can be in hard to reach places, especially in gardens or courtyards with tight access. At Proleaf, we have small stump grinders that can get almost anywhere thanks to our highly skilled operators. In some inner-city properties or hard to reach places, where stump removal is required, our team will best advise on how to achieve the desired result. We have lots of experience when it comes to hard to reach stumps including carrying machines through properties or craning stump grinders over houses!
All of our staff are fully qualified and hold the relevant tickets to work on large development projects. We have been through multiple site inductions and we are fully compliant when it comes to working under strict health and safety work conditions. Our large stump grinding machinery is perfect for removing large tree stumps on rugged terrain or construction sites. We work on many different lot clearing or development projects in and around Melbourne.
Our highly experienced team are well versed in stump grinding contracts. We are fully health and safety compliant, can manage multiple location projects and provide contractual reports. We are a customer-focused company ensuring that targets and KPI’s are met on time to a high standard. Our team have worked on many different local authority, social housing and government contracts. We are always happy to discuss future projects or tenders, if you wish to do so please get in touch.
At Proleaf we offer several different types of stump removal. The type of machine and work methodology can vary greatly depending on the size of the stump(s), the size of the project, the access to the worksite and if underground utilities are present.
There are many reasons a stump may need to be removed and this also plays a part when deciding which machine or removal technique we will use. In most cases we will book in an appointment and provide a free written quotation on site.
In some cases, depending on the size of the stump(s) and the worksite, grubbing the stumps out or digging maybe the best option. If it is a large construction site, we can bring in one of our excavators on site to dig out stumps depending on the specifications of the job.There are some stumps that cannot be accessed by machine and are small enough to dig out by hand. It’s definitely not our first choice of work methodology but sometimes it’s needs must!
Stump poisoning is not an effective way to remove stumps quickly however it will prevent trees or shrubs from regrowing after being cut to ground level. When poison is applied to a stump it will kill off the root system and slowly break it down over time. This can be a good option if the site is hard to access and there is no immediate need to remove the stump. We can provide this service and we are happy to provide free advice regarding tree stump poisoning.
Similar to tree stumps, tree roots can be just as problematic. They may be impeding on construction projects, surfacing on lawns or be a tripping hazard. We offer a full root pruning service by qualified arborists. We can grind the roots with our root grinding machinery or dig them out depending on the desired results.
Looking to get your trees trimmed, pruned and looking good? No problem. We always prefer to reccomend tree pruning over tree removal if its possible. Our team of qualified arborists can prune, shape or trim your trees to exactly the way they need to be. Big trees or small, we can do it all.
Unfortunately tree removal is sometimes necessary if a tree is diseased, dangerous or just too big for the space. Our expert team of climbing Arborists can remove any tree in any location, safely and efficiently. Whether you have a small or large tree that needs to be removed, our team can be of assistance.
