The Silent Killers in Your Garden: Why Old Stumps Devalue Good Properties
- Marne Truter
- Nov 5
- 3 min read
The truth about old stumps
Every property tells a story. The neat ones show care and attention. The messy ones show delay.
An old stump might seem harmless, maybe even rustic. But it’s not. It rots, draws pests, and makes even the best garden look like it’s halfway through a job.
We see it all over the Overberg, at farms, guesthouses, golf courses, and estates. The lawns look fine, but the corners tell a different story. Old stumps hiding under the grass. Mushrooms growing around them. Soft, hollow wood that’s just waiting to become a problem.
Why they cause more trouble than you think
A stump doesn’t die when the tree comes down. The roots can stay alive for years. They shift paving, crack irrigation lines, and push up new shoots.
Rotting stumps also attract pests like termites, beetles, borers and ants. Once they start, they don’t stop there.
They move into decks, pergolas, fences, and sometimes the house.
And if that’s not enough, a stump can become a tripping hazard. Hidden under grass or leaves, it’s a quick way to hurt someone or break mower blades.
Leaving it for later just costs more in the long run.
Grinding done right
Stump grinding doesn’t dig the whole root system out. It’s not excavation. It’s about taking the stump down to a workable level, usually 10 to 15cm below the surface, depending on the ground, access and size.
That’s enough to replant grass, level the area, or cover it cleanly. It stops new shoots and removes the main bulk that attracts pests.
We don’t use chemicals or fire. We grind mechanically. It’s fast, clean and safe. No soil damage, no smoke, no scorched patches.
On small sites or tight spaces, we adjust depth and direction to protect paving, pipes or plant beds. Each job’s a bit different, and we plan for that.
What we actually do on site
When we arrive, we don’t waste time. The job runs like this:
Check the site and plan safe access.
Grind each stump down to around 10–15cm below ground level, deeper if possible.
Leave the grindings in place for mulch, or remove them if needed.
When we’re done, the site is clean, level and ready to use again. No piles left behind. No soil contamination.
Why it matters for property value
It’s the small things that make a place look cared for. A clean lawn. Straight edges. No forgotten stumps poking through.
Buyers and guests notice it, even if they can’t say why.
A property with visible stumps looks unfinished. A clean site says it’s maintained and managed.
Grinding out old stumps adds value. It’s not fancy work, but it’s smart work. It shows you’re paying attention to the things that keep a place strong.
The local view
In the Overberg, stumps rot faster because of our soil and weather. Wet winters and dry summers make the wood break down unevenly, which draws ants and fungi.
We’ve seen this everywhere from Napier to Hermanus, Greyton and Caledon. It’s worse near lawns or flowerbeds that get watered often.
Grinding early means fewer pests, fewer weak spots in the ground, and fewer surprises when you start new planting or paving.
FAQ
How deep do you grind stumps?
Most stumps are ground down 10 to 15cm below ground, depending on size, soil and access. That’s enough to replant or level the area cleanly.
Do you remove the roots?
No. We remove the visible stump and the top section of roots. Deep roots stay in the soil and break down naturally.
Do you handle single stumps or whole sites?
Both. We do one stump or clear full sites for estates, farms and large properties.
Do you chip too?
Yes. We handle on-site chipping and stump grinding.
Do you work on estates and big homes?
Yes. We work across the Overber: Napier, Bredasdorp, Caledon, Greyton, Hermanus, Swellendam and nearby areas.
What happens to the grindings?
We leave them for mulch unless you ask us to remove them.
Rates (as of October 2025)
Stump Grinding / Chipping:
Hourly: R1 000
Half-Day (up to 4 hours): R3 950
Full-Day (up to 8 hours): R7 800
Preferred Partner Rates (bulk clients): Contact us for details.
Travel: First 20 km from Napier included. After that, R9 per km round trip.
Need a quote or site visit?
WhatsApp us photos of your stumps or piles. We quote digitally and let you know if we need to come out.
Overberg Biomass offers on-site chipping and stump grinding for farms, estates and properties across the Overberg.
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