People use the terms interchangeably, but stump grinding and stump removal are two different jobs – with different costs and different results. Here’s how to know which one you actually need.
Stump grinding (what we do)
A grinder shaves the stump down to 4–6 inches below ground level, turning it into a pile of wood chips. We leave those on-site as mulch, tidy up the area, and let the roots break down in the ground naturally. It’s faster, cheaper, and far less disruptive to your yard – no giant hole, no torn-up turf.
Stump removal (a different, heavier job)
Removal pulls the entire stump and the root ball out of the ground. It leaves a large hole that needs backfilling, and it’s more labor-intensive and expensive. It only makes sense when you’re building, pouring concrete, or replanting a tree in the exact same spot – and it’s a job for an excavation crew, not a stump grinder. We focus on grinding, so full removal isn’t a service we offer.
Which do you need?
- Just want the stump gone and the yard usable? Grinding – that’s us, every time.
- Worried about regrowth? Grinding handles it – once the stump and root flare are gone, the tree won’t come back.
- Building or planting a new tree in the exact same hole? That’s a full-removal job you’ll want an excavation crew for.
For nine out of ten homeowners, grinding is the right call – and it’s all we do. Send us a photo of your stump for a fast, free grinding estimate.