Serious question about stump grinding near old growth oaks

I was up at a job site in Eugene last week, grinding out a mess of stumps from a development clearing. Right next to them was a 200 year old oak that the client wants to keep. I had to decide whether to grind right up to the drip line or leave a buffer. My partner says grinding close damages feeder roots and stresses the tree over time, but the client wants every inch of stump gone for a patio slab. I kept it at 3 feet away from the oak and told them it's a risk either way. Anyone else run into this kind of conflict between what the client wants and what's best for surrounding trees? How do you handle it with homeowners who don't get the biology part?

2 comments

2 Comments

carr.willow6d ago

That bit about grinding near the drip line and damaging feeder roots... I gotta admit I used to think people were being overly cautious about buffer zones. Then I had a job where I got too close to a big maple and watched it decline over the next two seasons. Changed my mind real quick. You did the right thing holding your ground at 3 feet.

seth_green854d ago

Wait but what about when the client pushes back and says "just get closer it'll be fine"... how do you handle that without sounding like you don't know what you're doing? I've been in that spot more times than I can count honestly. @carr.willow nailed it though about that maple example because that's exactly what happens people don't see the damage until way later when it's too late. I tell homeowners all the time that feeder roots spread way farther than they think especially with older trees. Those fine roots are what keep the tree alive through drought and stress so messing with them is basically asking for trouble. Three feet is already cutting it close in my book but at least it gives the tree a fighting chance compared to grinding right up against the trunk.