After you have a tree cut down, you may be left with a stump. What should you do with it? Well, some people turn them into yard décor; others ignore them completely. But there are also times when you should definitely have a stump removed.

You Removed The Tree Because It Was Diseased

Sometimes, people remove trees because their roots are causing problems or because they just want to change the aesthetics of their landscaping. But if you removed a tree because it was diseased, then it's crucial that you also remove the stump. Diseases can still be spread from stumps to living trees, so you haven't really solved the problem unless you get rid of the stump as well.

Insects Are Eating The Stump

Take a look at the stump – do you see signs that it's being eaten by termites or carpenter ants? You may see the insects themselves, or you may see small holes dotting the stump where insects have eaten their way inside. Eventually, the stump will begin to be reduced to dust; this usually happens in the center of the stump first, leading to a hollow area within.

If you notice these signs of insect activity, consider having the stump removed. Once the termites or ants have finished with your stump, they may move on to your home, causing structural damage and necessitating costly pest control.

You Have Buried Pipes In The Area

You might be surprised to hear that tree stumps aren't necessarily dead. The root system of trees can be very extensive, so while it might seem like you've gotten rid of a tree when you cut down the parts above ground, there's actually a lot of tree left. And a living stump's roots can continue to spread underground.

This is a problem if your water or sewer lines run through the area because tree roots, seeking water, are notorious for worming their way into pipes and then clogging them up or breaking them apart. To be safe, have stumps whose roots might interfere with your plumbing removed.

If you're not sure where your water lines run, take a trip to your local building or zoning office and see whether they have a map of your property showing the water and sewer lines. Alternatively, you can probe for buried pipes using a soil probe, a metal rod that you push into the ground. Or you can simply decide that it's better to be safe than sorry and go ahead and remove the stump – just in case. You can call a company like Brown's Tree Service to remove the stump.