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Whether it's better to grind or remove a stump depends on your professional tree service’s advice and what you intend for the landscape to look like after removal. Grinding is faster and likely more affordable, but manual removal unearths the root system and leaves the potential for a clean slate for landscape design. 

A dead tree should always be cut down, because it could fall and cause injuries or damage, and it can also attract insects like carpenter ants. A tree that’s diseased beyond repair should also be cut down, but it’s not always easy for a homeowner to tell. Signs of disease include dying branches, a hollow trunk, leaning, and discolored or missing leaves, but your best bet is to hire a local arborist who can evaluate the tree and tell you if it can be saved or should be cut down.

You must cut into the ground and around the full circumference of the bush stump to keep it from growing back. If you're concerned about the size of the underground roots or are unable to remove them manually, you can also treat the root ball with an herbicide. Speak with a local landscaper about whether the remaining roots will interfere with your garden plans or threaten to bring the plant back to life.

The fastest way to remove a tree stump is by burning it or grinding it. You can rent a stump grinder and do the job yourself or hire a local arborist or landscape specialist. Before burning a stump yourself, be sure to check local burn laws. Drill holes in the stump, fill them with vegetable oil, and wait 24 to 48 hours. Add charcoal bricks to the surface, then light the fire. Attend the fire at all times.