Grinding Uprooted Stumps

[Chris Snyder]

I have about 15 uprooted stumps (courtesy hurricane Isabel) ranging in size from 20-30" diameter. Many of them sank and shifted while the tree fell and it does not appear they will "flop" back into their hole...although I'm not sure since the trunks are still attached and providing a counter-balance.

I am renting a Vermeer 252 (16" self-propelled) medium sized stump grinder and was wondering if anyone has experience grinding uprooted stumps and can lend some advice. Can I grind them while the stump is horizontal? I think height is going to be an issue since the machine is listed at 16" cutting height and the stump diameter is around 30". The stump service I talked to sounded like he was going to use a similar setup. I figure I could place some wood ramps to lift the grinder...my backup plan is a medium-sized backhoe (JD 310) to dig out around the stumps and flop them back in by force.

Advice from anyone with experience is much appreciated.

Chris

[Brad]

Wouldn't it be easier to just get a dumpster and have somebody haul them off? That's what I did with all of the stumps when I built my house. If they're already uprooted the hard part is done.

[Chris Snyder]

Perhaps, but I was told there are weight (10-20k lbs) limits on even the largest dumpsters and I'm assuming the root balls weigh between 1-3,000 pounds, not to mention they are pretty large so it might take several loads ($400/load) which is a lot more than $150 for the grinder. I also figured it would be difficult to lift and move these larger stumps with the backhoe. I'll look into it.

[Brad]

I would think the material would be cheaper to dispose of if it is just a bunch of stumps since it is not a waste material, but don't hold me to it.

[Chris Snyder]

I think burying them is going to be the big winner. We have an acre of wooded property so I can find some places to stash them. Plus, I've always wanted to dig big holes :)

Chris

[Frogleg]

No experience, so far. My trees are still all over the place, and not as large. However...isn't stump-grinding usually performed to level the ground and/or speed decay of the remaining portion after a tree has been *cut*? Once the tree has been uprooted, this isn't the problem -- just slicing it up and carting it away. I don't see much evidence of post-hurricane stump-grinding around here except where trees have snapped off. If the *trees* can be carved up, why not the uprooted portion, too?

Stump-grinding, from what I've seen, more or less involves a thoroughly-seated in-ground portion of tree treated to pretty vigorous mechanical action. No matter how large the portion you want to get rid of, it sounds dangerous to start boring into an unsecured portion.

As for hauling away, my city is engaged in picking up/disposing of approx. 1M cubic yards of debris of all sorts. Of course, we have to get it to the curb. :-)

[Chris Snyder]

It turns out it is difficult, but not impossible to move my stumps with a backhoe (Cat 416). With the advice of the friendly transporter fellow I removed as much of the dirt and roots as possible and was able to hook the stump with the hoe. The second one was smaller so I didn't bother to knock as much dirt off. When I picked it up the machine was very "light" on the front wheels. I cautiously crept forward, but the slight incline was too much and back she went (probably less than 2'). Pretty intense, but man is it fun to dig!