Tree Removal: How to Deal with the Hole
Posted on: 22 June 2017
If you have recently had a tree removed from your property, you may now be wondering what to do about the large hole in the ground which remains. Below is a guide to the steps you can take to fill and reclaim this area of ground.
Remove any loose soil
Once a tree removal service has removed the stump of the tree, all that will be left in the hole will be a large quantity of topsoil. You will need to remove this soil as it will not provide adequate stability and will eventually sink and shift within the hole. If the hole is small, you may be able to use a spade to complete this job. However, if the tree was large, you may need to hire an excavator in order to remove the topsoil from the hole.
Refill the hole with sandy-loamy soil
Once you have removed the unstable topsoil from the hole, you can now refill it with soil which will provide the stability needed to prevent the hole from becoming deeper. You should visit your local garden centre and purchase a large quantity of sandy-loamy topsoil. This type of soil offers good drainage which will prevent water from collecting in the hole. You should add soil until it is just above ground level.
Compress the new soil
You should then compress the new soil into the hole. Depending on the size of the hole, you can do this using a range of techniques. For small holes, you may wish to stomp around with your feet for several minutes until the soil is flat. For larger holes, you may wish to use a drum roller to flatten out the soil.
Add water to the hole
Rain and groundwater could cause the soil to shift and move. To avoid this, you should add a lot of water to the compressed soil in the hole, making sure the ground is completely soaked. You should then leave the soil alone for a few days to allow it to settle and sink.
Add more soil if needed
After a few days, you may notice that the soil has sunk as it settled down. If this has happened, you should add another layer of topsoil to the hole so that it is level with the ground. You do not need to compress this layer.
If you would like further information or advice about tree removal, you should contact a tree service today.
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