The most common alternative is burning the stump first, then dealing with the cinders and ashes. As you can imagine, this option creates fire hazards, especially since roots can burn underground, hidden, for long afterward. That’s why many states and cities have outlawed the use of stump burning entirely. We do not recommend this option as a viable alternative unless you get a permit from the local fire department and practice all safe burning procedures.

Others prefer a more long-term DIY approach of degrading the stump with home mixtures like Epsom salt and vinegar injected directly into it. This may help the stump decay faster, allowing homeowners to dig it out themselves, but it’s still a lengthy process. It usually takes months for a stump to start falling apart with such treatments, and in the meantime, it can be vulnerable to rot, insects, and other problems.

Removing leaves from your lawn and yard has a few benefits. Leaves that cover your lawn over the winter can block sunlight from reaching your lawn, smothering and even killing the grass. Leftover leaves in your yard can create bare patches that you’ll need to reseed in the spring to return the grass to its former glory. Hiring a leaf removal company can save you time and labor, especially if your lawn is large or you have a high density of trees dropping leaves in your yard.

Leaf removal, aeration, dethatching, mowing, pruning, and fertilizing are activities that prepare lawns for the next season.

If debris from a tree located in a government-owned space (such as a sidewalk, public school, or government property) falls in your yard, it is the city’s or state government’s responsibility to have the debris cleaned up. On the other hand, most states only hold a neighbor liable for cleaning up their tree’s debris if they were negligent in caring for the tree.