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Yes, stumps can and will attract termites. They seek the shelter and food a stump provides. Once the termites find the stump, it’s possible they can spread destruction to nearby trees and homes. For this reason and many others, you’ll want to seriously consider removing any stumps in your yard.

The fastest way to remove a tree stump is to use a stump grinder. You can hire a professional stump removal service or rent the machine. If you choose to grind the stump out yourself, keep in mind these machines are large and can be difficult to transport and operate. A more affordable way to remove a tree stump is to use potassium nitrate pellets to accelerate decomposition, which can take four to six months.

You will know that an oak tree needs to be removed when you see vertical cracks or dead branch stubs, which indicate internal decay. Other signs include trunk rot near the base of the tree and sprouts or small branches coming from the trunk.

Your neighbor is not in a good position to know if your trees are truly dead or pose any kind of danger. That’s why hiring an arborist or tree service expert can be such an important part of the process. If the trees are still alive and don’t pose any threat, you’re in the clear (but you may want to document and photograph everything in case events turn sour down the road).

But if a tree is visibly dead and near the property line, you should remove it to be safe. If a dead tree falls on a neighbor’s property, they may have grounds to sue for negligence. If any branches on trees have died, it’s a good idea to cut them back for similar reasons.