Get matched with top arborists in Princeton, WV

If you’re planning on keeping the tree, unless the roots are invasive, there’s no need to remove them, as doing so can cause damage to the tree. If the tree has been cut down and the stump and roots are left, grinding and removing the stump can cause root decay for some species. For other species, the stump and roots will need to be removed to prevent pests, disease, and possible tree regrowth.

Rock salt or Epsom salt can damage and kill tree roots over several weeks and can even assist in removing the tree's stump. However, you need to drill holes or cut into the stump and surface tree roots to inject them properly with the salt. Repeat the process every two weeks until the roots visibly rot away.

You can start your search for a reputable arborist online by looking for professionals who hold the proper licensing and are fully insured. Next, read through some online reviews to see what kind of service the expert brings to the table, and confirm that they don’t have a history of complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Finally, you can ask the professional for a list of references and then call them to ask questions about the service, professionalism, value, and more that the expert brings to the table.

Ideally, you’ll have a good enough relationship with your neighbors that you can kindly mention this task in regular conversation. However, every neighbor (and neighborhood) is different. Your best bet will always be to ask directly and nicely, offering to contribute to the tree trimming efforts if you’d like. However, if you are bothered by the tree and your neighbor is unwilling to cut it, you can involve the help of the homeowners’ association or local authorities, if applicable.