If your lawn’s health is declining, and you’ve recently had a tree stump removed, the remaining stump is likely to be the culprit. Not only will it be an obstacle for your lawnmower, but the stump will take essential nutrients from your lawn as it decays. Taking these nutrients negatively impacts the surrounding grass and soil. At the same time, it will become a breeding ground for pests and diseases,making it more than just an obstacle!

Signs of Lawn Decline

The symptoms of a stump-damaged lawn are easy to spot, ranging from faded colour and patchy growth to a strange spongy feeling underfoot.

Yellow/ Pale Green Grass

A key sign that your lawn is struggling is the colour fading, from a deep green to yellow. This is normally due to the grass not getting enough nitrogen. The culprit could be a tree stump, since microorganisms in the soil use large amounts of nitrogen in the soil to decompose the stump and its roots. For larger trees with expansive roots, this can lead to your entire lawn struggling for nitrogen. This is why tree stump removal is such an important service to maintain a healthy garden.

Patchy/ Thinning Grass

Is your lawn is thinning or looking patchy, particularly surrounding a tree stump? One potential cause of this is that tree stumps are the perfect place for fungi to grow and thrive. These fungi can then spread through the soil to the grass roots, weakening it or causing it to die completely.

Not only this, but the combined effect of nutrient depletion and the slightly more acidic soil (decaying wood often makes the soil pH reduce) results in a particularly difficult environment for grass to survive.

Spongy Grass/ Pulls Up Easily

If you gently pull the grass in the affected area and it comes out easily with little to no resistance, this is a sign of poor lawn health. There is a good chance this could be related to a tree stump in one of the following ways (if not more than one):

  • Pest Damage: decaying stumps attract wood-boring pests that can damage grass roots as they tunnel and spread.
  • Root Rot: if the roots of the stump are infested with a root rot fungus, this can spread to the grass roots as well. Destroying the grass roots as well, making them unable to anchor themselves firmly in the soil.
  • Soil Voids: as the tree’s roots decompose, they leave voids in the soil, and as the surface collapses into these voids, it can create uneven terrain and the movement can damage the grass above.

How to Help Your Garden Look Healthy

The only definitive solution is to remove the source of the problem –the tree stump. However, this will not be the only thing you need to do to get your lawn back to full health.

Step-By-Step to Rehabilitate Your Soil:

1. Clear The Debris And Any Remaining Wood Chips

If you get the stump removed by N J Pacey, our team will use a tree stump grinder. This is the most effective way to get rid of a tree stump and leaves the area looking neat and tidy in no time. Our team will also make sure to remove any debris. To help your garden recover as quickly as possible.

2. Amend And Repair The Soil

The soil pH and nutrient levels will have been affected by the tree stump; therefore, testing them is a great starting point. For instance, the soil may have become too acidic for grass to grow. If this is the case, you can apply limestone to these areas to bring the pH back to a neutral level. Similarly, to add nutrients to the soil, you can mix the soil with high-quality compost.

3. Fill And Level The Void

The hole left by the stump grinder needs to be properly filled to create a stable foundation for new grass. The key to this is to use a nutrient-rich topsoil on top of compacted layers. As you are filling the hole, gently tamp down the soil to remove the air pockets. This helps avoid any major sinking down the line.

Top Tip: Overfill slightly! It is good practice to fill the area about half an inch higher than the surrounding lawn, as the soil will inevitably settle over the following weeks and months.

4. Restore The Grass

Once the area is level and prepared, you can replant grass. You could choose to use fertiliser to increase the rate of growth. If you choose to do this, a slow-release, high-nitrogen starter fertiliser would be the best choice. This will counteract the overconsumption of nitrogen from the stump.

Then, this leaves you with the choice between reseeding or sodding. Reseeding allows you to have a seamless blend by using the same grass seed. However, reseeding can be a slow process, which is why many opt for sodding. By laying sod, it provides an instant lawn surface.

5. Water And Maintain

While the grass roots are becoming established, it is important that the area is constantly moist. You should also avoid any traffic, both foot traffic and lawnmowers, as the grass will not be able to withstand this while it’s still becoming embedded.

Now with a uniform, healthy lawn, you can be satisfied that your garden is not only looking well-maintained but is also safe and pest-free! You will have improved your garden’s aesthetics and turned your lawn into a beautiful, functional space. If you have a tree or stump that you want removed, get in touch with our team today!