After a tree is removed, it's tempting to leave the stump and deal with it later — or never. But stumps create ongoing problems that are cheaper to address at removal time than years later.
Pest Harborage
Decaying stumps attract termites, carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, and other wood-decay insects. These insects don't stay in the stump — they spread. A stump near your foundation is a risk factor for structural pest damage.
Regrowth
Many species — including elm, maple, cherry, and mulberry — aggressively resprout from stumps and roots. If you don't grind the stump, you may spend years cutting back sprouts that will keep coming unless the root system is exhausted or the stump is ground out.
The cheapest time to grind a stump is at the time of removal. Mobilizing equipment separately for a stump-only job costs more. If budget is a constraint, prioritize stumps near structures or in high-traffic areas.
Fungal Spread
Stumps can harbor Armillaria (honey fungus) and other root-rot pathogens that spread through the soil to neighboring trees. If the original tree died from a root disease, leaving the stump in place extends the pathogen's residence in your yard.
Practical Hazards
Stumps are trip hazards, mowing obstacles, and aesthetically poor. They take decades to naturally decompose without grinding. Stump grinding removes the problem to 8–12 inches below grade — enough depth for lawn use or replanting.