Stump Grinding
Get the yard back. We grind stumps and surface roots below grade so you can sod, plant or pour right over them.
What this service solves
A leftover stump is a trip hazard, a mower obstacle and a magnet for termites and wood-decay fungi. Our compact grinders fit through a 36-inch gate and reduce stumps to chips 8 to 12 inches below the soil line, or deeper when you plan to plant a new tree in the same spot.
Before grinding we call 811 to have underground utilities marked and flag irrigation lines with you. Afterward you choose: leave the chips as mulch, or have us haul them and backfill with screened topsoil ready for sod.
How the job runs
Four steps, the same on every property, so you know exactly who is in your yard and what happens next.
- 1
Locate utilities
We request an 811 locate and wait for markings, then walk sprinkler lines with you.
- 2
Shield and grind
Portable shields go up, and the grinder works the stump in sweeps until it is below grade.
- 3
Chase roots
Surface roots that lift turf or pavers are ground out so the area can be leveled.
- 4
Finish the hole
Chips hauled or spread, topsoil added and tamped if you ordered the backfill.
Why homeowners book it before storm season
No more trip hazard
Flat ground for kids, pets and mowers, with no stump edges hiding in the grass.
Fewer pests
Removing the decaying wood removes a favorite food source for subterranean termites.
Ready to replant
Deep grinding plus backfill gives new sod or a replacement tree clean soil.
Gate-friendly gear
Our small grinder fits most side gates, so no fence panels come down.
What affects the price
Every quote is written after an arborist sees the tree. These ranges are sample figures to help you budget.
| Factor | What we look at | Typical effect |
|---|---|---|
| Stump diameter | Measured at ground level across the widest point | $150 to $450 |
| Additional stumps | Same visit, same property | 40% off each after the first |
| Root chasing | Surface roots beyond the stump | $75 to $220 |
| Chip haul and backfill | Topsoil delivered and tamped | $90 to $260 |
Swipe to see the full table
How deep the grind has to go
The spec changes with what the ground has to do next, and the honest part is what a grind leaves behind.
- Grind depth below grade
- 6 to 8 in
- Working radius
- Stump plus 12 in of flare
- Backfill
- Grindings back in, capped with 4 in of screened topsoil
Grass roots live in the top few inches, so this is all the depth turf needs. The cap matters more than the depth: pure grindings are 90 percent carbon and the microbes breaking them down pull nitrogen out of the soil, so sod laid straight onto chips yellows within a month.
- Roots stay. A grinder reaches about 3 ft from the stump. Lateral roots beyond that stay in the ground and decay over 3 to 7 years. That is normal and it is not a defect in the work.
- It settles. Expect 2 to 4 in of settling in the first year as the chips break down. We come back once to top it up on residential grinds.
- Chips multiply. Grindings occupy roughly one and a half times the volume of the wood they came from, so a 30 in stump leaves a mound, not a hole. Hauling that away is a separate line on the quote.
- Surface roots. Grinding does not fix roots lifting a sidewalk elsewhere in the yard. That is a root-pruning or a paving question, and cutting structural roots inside the critical root zone is how a healthy tree becomes a hazard tree.
Depths and radii are our standard specs, quoted per stump after the diameter and access are measured on site. Sample figures on a demo site.
Standard is 8 to 12 inches below grade, which is plenty for sod. If you plan to replant in the same spot we go deeper and remove more of the root flare.
Most hardwood stumps will not resprout once ground below grade. A few species like laurel oak may push shoots from roots, which we can treat on a follow-up visit.
Yes. We grind stumps from any removal. Send a photo with something for scale and we can usually price it the same day.
Often booked together
All services
Tree RemovalControlled removals with rigging and crane support, even over roofs, pool cages and power lines.From $950
Land ClearingLot clearing, forestry mulching and brush removal for new builds, pools, fences and overgrown acreage.From $1,800
Plant Health CareDeep-root fertilization, soil care and targeted treatment for lethal bodying, scale, borers and oak decline.From $140
Get your stump grinding quote
A certified arborist walks your property and sends a written quote within 24 hours. No pressure, no surprise fees.
4.9 from 1,284 reviews, ISA Certified Arborists