Apparatus and method for cutting trees and grinding and mulching tree stumps

Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for cutting trees and grinding and mulching tree stumps. The apparatus includes a semi-spherical arcuate shield with a control mount and a foot mount attached to the arcuate shield. A cylindrical drum having cutting teeth mounted on the periphery of the drum is mounted below the arcuate shield such that the arcuate shield covers the upper forward and rearward surfaces of the drum. The drum is preferably mounted a constant radial distance from the arcuate shield. Debris limiting rings are mounted below the arcuate shield on each end of the drum. A belt guard is mounted on each debris limiting ring. An end plate is mounted on each belt guard, enclosing the space between the debris limiting ring, the belt guard, and the end plate. An output shaft extends through the drum and debris limiting rings, rotatably mounted in an end cap on one end of the apparatus and having a pulley mounted on the other end. The pulley engages a belt which engages a shaft above the arcuate shield. A pulley is mounted on the shaft above the arcuate shield to engage a power source, such as a hydraulic motor, to rotate the drum. The control mount and foot mount connect to a self-propelled vehicle, such as a backhoe. The method of the present invention includes grinding the upper portion of a tree trunk with a cylindrical-drum with cutting teeth until substantially all of the tree trunk is cut away, pushing the apparatus against the tree trunk at a point above the ground away portion of the tree trunk until the upper portion of the tree trunk breaks off, grinding the resulting tree stump down to ground level with the cylindrical drum with cutting teeth, and depositing the tree cuttings from the tree stump around the tree stump. Preferably, the apparatus engages the tree trunk at a point that is 90% of the height of the tree trunk.