Stump grinding in Brisbane: what's local
Is it your stump at all?
A stump in the footpath strip is Council vegetation. Brisbane's local law says nobody interferes with a footpath tree except strictly under a council permit, and that includes what's left of it. Ring council about a council stump instead of booking a grinder.
The root zone next door
Under Brisbane's local law, damaging a protected tree's root zone by excavation counts as interfering with it. The root zone is the soil and roots under the tree's foliage, to a depth of 1m. If a protected tree stands close to the stump, check with council before grinding into its roots.
Weed stumps that resprout
Council lists umbrella trees as pest vegetation and camphor laurel as restricted matter under the Biosecurity Act 2014, which must not be distributed or disposed of unless authorised. Ask the arborist how they'll deal with camphor laurel grindings and green waste.
Pipes under the yard
Council says umbrella tree roots can block plumbing joints and pipes, so an old umbrella tree stump may sit right over a sewer or stormwater line. That's one more reason to locate services before the grinder goes in.
Before stump grinding starts in Brisbane
Lodge a Before You Dig Australia enquiry at byda.com.au, or have the arborist do it, before grinding. Safe Work Australia's tree work guide says to check for underground services around a stump, using BYDA, if grinding goes deeper than 200mm or services are a concern. BYDA plans don't show private pipes, such as a line to the shed, so tell the arborist about anything you know is there.
Grind it, or dig it out?
A grinder chews the stump and surface roots below ground level with a spinning cutting wheel, leaving a pile of mulch and a shallow hole. It's the usual choice for a lawn, a garden bed or a path. Digging the whole root plate out is a bigger job, mostly needed where something is being built right on top.
Some gums can send up new shoots from a cut stump, which is another reason people grind rather than leave it. Gardening Australia also says removing the stump reduces the fuel for fungi that can go on to attack other woody plants in the garden.
Questions to ask about stump grinding in Brisbane
- How deep the grind goes, and whether surface roots are chased out
- Who lodges the BYDA enquiry and how private services will be found
- Whether the mulch stays, is spread or is taken away
- How weed material such as camphor laurel is handled
- Access: gate width, steps or a steep side yard the machine has to get through
- Public liability insurance
Hiring an arborist for stump grinding in Brisbane
We'd confirm the stump is on our side of the boundary and not a council tree, then lodge the BYDA enquiry ourselves a few days before the visit, since members are encouraged to answer within 2 business days. With the plans in hand, the arborist can quote the depth properly instead of guessing.