To most people, removing a tree means chopping it down — and leaving behind the bottom six to twelve inches of the trunk known as the stump. If you hire a tree removal company simply to come remove the tree, they will probably fell the tree and leave that same stump. While this approach is common, it is not necessarily the best. Here are a few reasons why you should always remove the stump — or arrange of your tree removal company to do so — when you remove a tree.

1. Stumps are a tripping hazard.

If the stump is in your yard, there is always a chance that you or someone else will trip over it. You might be walking across the yard with an armload full of groceries and stumble over the stump after forgetting it was there, or your child may trip over it while playing catch with their friends. Not all falls lead to serious injuries, but there is certainly the potential for broken bones or a twisted ankle. Removing the stump is much safer.

2. Stumps attract certain pests.

The stump will begin to rot within a few months, and then it will be the perfect harboring point for lots of pests. Termites love rotting wood stumps, and once they are in your yard, they only have to travel a short distance to also damage your home. Carpenter ants, wood bees, and even some species of cockroaches also live in rotting wood. These insects can all do damage to wooden structures, so you want to do all you can to keep them away; that includes removing any and all stumps.

3. Stumps can grow suckers and extra roots.

Some species of trees will send what are called suckers up out of a stump if it is not removed. These look like tall, vertical branches, and they are basically the tree's final attempt to put out some leaves, harness some sunlight, and survive. Suckers look ugly, and you constantly have to trim them back. It's easier to just have the stump removed in the first place. 

Stumps can also continue to grow their roots for some time after the tree is felled. Those underground roots may still work their way into sewer lines and your foundation.

Most tree care companies will remove the stump for a small extra fee. It's worth paying for stump removal service when you have a tree removed.