Ground Sinking Where Tree Was Removed

Many factors trigger ground sinking years or months after a gigantic tree has been removed. Trees take considerable amounts of water from the ground, and when the tree is extra-large, it causes the surrounding area to dry off. The roots cover the largest part of the tree underground and consume excessive amounts of water from the target surface. After the removal of such big trees, rainwater usually penetrates deep into the ground where the tree originally was.

As water builds up in such a spot, it leads to the swelling of the ground. The more the water accumulated, the higher the risk of the ground around such an area sinking. The sinking of the ground could have an extreme impact on plants and buildings. Read to learn everything about ground sinking where tree was removed.

Common Causes of Ground Sinking Where Tree Was Removed

It may not have happened to you or someone close to you, but it happens often to homeowners. If you’ve ever noticed the ground in which a tree had grown previously, these could be the reasons for such weird happenings:

Large tree roots are decaying

One reason the ground where a tree was removed sinks is when the unexcavated tree roots start decomposing. Most tree roots hold on to the tree for survival. Yes, they are the ones responsible for feeding the tree branches, leaves, and stem with the needed nutrients and water. However, they won’t survive long once being disconnected from their host. Therefore, once you’ve cut down the tree and left the roots unexcavated for long, they will start decaying.

As they decay, they will trigger the growth of hard mushrooms. Over time, the wood will be completely decayed, leaving the soils with large voids. These voids will need to be covered to hold any weight pressed over them, and that’s exactly why the ground will sink.

Stumps decaying

Most homeowners won’t rest until the stumps left after tree removal are completely ground. Sadly, most stump grinders only remove the visible sections of the stumps. That simply means we leave a large section of the stumps unremoved.

Over time, these stumps will start decaying and losing their density and weight. The more they decompose, the more they mix up with the surrounding soil as nutrients. Over time, after they would have totally decomposed, the areas they have occupied would be left to avoid. Naturally, the voids should be filled with the right materials to hold the overwhelming weight of the topsoil. This is one reason you will start noticing the ground sinking in areas where a tree was removed.

Ways to Prevent Instances When Ground Will Sink After Tree Removal

Ground sinking after tree removal is not something beyond human control. Yes, if you observe the right precautions early enough, you’ll experience none of these awkward moments. Watch out for these safe and easy ways to keep the ground from where a tree is removed intact, preventing issues with sinking.

Excavate all the tree roots after tree removal

The first step to avoid instances in the future when ground sinking will be experienced in areas where trees were removed is by ensuring all roots are exhumed. Immediately after you’ve removed the tree, you’ve to dig into the tree roots and ensure each part of the roots is fully removed. Exhuming the roots of big trees could prove a big challenge, and that’s the reason you want to hire the services of a tree removal company.

Tree removal companies have qualified teams that understand the basics of proper tree root removal. They know which tools to use and the safety precautions to observe, ensuring they deliver an excellent job every time. Get the tree roots removed expertly and the remaining holes fully covered to avoid instances in the future when ground sinking issues might occur.

Grind and remove the tree stumps

The second trick is for you to keep your garden and yard safe from ground sinking some years after you’ve removed a big tree is to remove the tree stumps. Tree stumps cover quite a large surface of the land and if they are not ground and removed, they will decay in the future, leaving voids in the ground.

Use the right stump grinder and apply the best grinding skills to ensure each part of the stump is fully removed. Ensure the remaining space left after removal of stump is fully covered with the right materials.

If you don’t have the skills and tools to efficiently grind and excavate tree stumps, talk with your tree removal specialist. They know how to do the job perfectly well to your liking.

What to Do When The Ground Where a Tree Was Removed Starts Sinking?

Your tree removal specialist will tell you that once the ground where a tree was removed starts sinking, there is little or nothing you can do. Yes, unless the reason for the sinking is something else apart from unexcavated roots or stumps, you just need to relax and wait until the roots or stumps have fully decomposed. You can then fill the resulting holes with rocks, topsoil, or anything else you deem fit for such use.

However, if the cause of the ground sinking is triggered by natural factors such as cracking and bad soils, you will have to chat with your tree specialist for guidance. They will know exactly what to do and how to do it to prevent further sinking. A more serious problem like a sinkhole developing is a big deal! You’ll need to deal with that immediately. 

Conclusion

Cases with ground sinking where tree was removed aren’t common, but when they occur, the right precautious measures should be put into consideration. You can’t truly tell the cause of the sinking ground, and that’s exactly the reason you’re advised to shun away from trying DIY approaches to assess and amend the situation. 

It would be safer to hire a specialist soon after you discover the first signs of the ground sinking. That way, you will have any problem assessed early in advance and the right methods put into work for a safer living space. The longer you let the problem sit in your yard, the worse it can get. Not to mention, it can be dangerous if you have guests, children, or pets. 

You should always hire the pros. Contact a local pro tree service company to get the job done right the first time!

We also have one more tip: If you’re located in Litchfield County or Washington, CT, give Paradise Lawn & Landscape a call for landscaping Washington CT and all other things lawn-related and landscape-related.