Stump grinding is one of the simpler tree-service jobs but the process matters. Done right, you get clean ground ready for sod within hours. Done poorly, you get a half-ground stump and a mess of wood chips on top of your lawn.
Before the work
Site walk
We confirm the access (most grinders need 36 inches of gate clearance — there's a smaller 26" walk-behind for tight spots). We also check for utilities, sprinklers, and proximity to structures. If utility lines are close, we file a free 811 call to mark them before any grinding.
Marking
Sprinkler heads and irrigation lines get flagged. Property markers get noted. Any decorative borders or hardscape near the stump get protected with plywood.
During grinding
Equipment
The grinder uses a rotating cutting wheel with carbide teeth that pulverizes wood into chips. We grind to about 8–12 inches below grade — deep enough for sod, deeper if you need to plant a tree, build a deck, or pour a slab.
Time
- Small stumps (under 12" diameter): 20–30 minutes
- Medium (12–20"): 45–75 minutes
- Large (24"+): 1.5–2 hours
- Multi-stump days: typically 6–10 stumps in a day
Wood chips
Grinding produces a lot of chips — typically 2–3 times the visible stump volume. Default option is to remove the chips and leave dirt fill. If you want the chips for mulch, we leave them in a pile (saves you the haul-away portion of the cost).
After the work
Fill and finish
The grind hole gets topped with clean dirt, tamped down, and mounded slightly higher than grade (chips below settle over time). Most grind sites are ready for sod within a few days.
What you should do
- Wait 1–2 weeks before planting another tree in the same spot (root remnants need time)
- Keep the area watered for the first week if you've added new sod
- Watch for sprouting — some species (mulberry, hackberry, certain sweet gums) try to regrow from deep roots. We can apply stump killer if needed.
Typical pricing
- Single stump under 12": $150–$250
- Medium 12–20": $250–$400
- Large 24"+: $400–$700
- Multi-stump (3–5 in one visit): typically 25–40% off per-stump
What's NOT typically included
- Grinding very deep (18"+ for foundation/pool work) — quoted separately
- Removing surface roots beyond the stump itself — quoted as add-on
- Sod installation — refer to a landscaper
- Stump-killer chemical for re-sprouters — small add-on
When stump grinding isn't enough
If you're prepping ground for a foundation, pool, or major construction, "grinding" may not be enough — you may need full stump extraction (pulling the entire root mass out). That's a different service with different equipment and pricing.
Book a stump-grinding estimate at (281) 626-9111 or through our stump grinding service page.