Stump grinders are powerful machines that have a circular cutting wheel that is then rolled up to the stump and grinds it into wood chip. The grinder chews away at the stump as the operator moves the blade over the entire stump and takes the stump down to well below ground level.

Stump grinding rates vary with the diameter of the tree trunk. A 6” diameter stump is typically $10, a 1 foot diameter stump is usually around $40-50, a 2 foot diameter stump is usually in the $100 range.  For lager stumps there are more factors that get considered like how close to the ground is it cut, and how many surface roots there are, and how deep does it need to be ground. Grinding depth on larger stumps is a major cost factor. If it is a type of tree that grows back, like redwood, oak, liquid amber, etc, it will need to be ground to about 1-1/2 feet deep in order to kill it so it won’t grow back. If it is a type tree that doesn’t grow back, like pine, fir, maple etc, it can be ground just 6 inches deep and then covered up with dirt as a cheap alternative. A large stump ground at 6 inches deep is considerably less money than a large stump ground to 1-1/2 feet deep. Small stumps are always ground to full depth (1-1/2 ft.) We have a $100-$120 minimum depending upon location.

Stump grinding can create lots of wood chip. The wood chip can be used as mulch on-site or added to your green waste can.  The wood chip can also be left in the hole where the stump used to be.

Stump grinders are available for rent by homeowners at your local tool rental shops. This can be cost effective for larger jobs ($400 and up) but tool rental shops usually have a $180 minimum charge for stump grinders, so for small jobs (under $200) it is usually cheaper to have us grind it than it is to rent the tool (we have a $120 minimum).

There are situations where stump removal may be difficult or impossible, like on a steep hillside or where equipment is too large for access. A tree stump that’s close to other trees or valuable shrubs may damage these other plants if the roots are ground out. Roots going under fences, foundations, sidewalks, and utility lines may also be too difficult to grind out.