After a tree comes down you are left with a stump, and there are two ways to deal with it. They are not the same job, and they do not cost the same.
Stump grinding
A grinder chews the stump into chips, usually to somewhere between four and twelve inches below grade, depending on what you plan to do with the spot. The main root flares get ground out with it. What is left is a pile of wood chips and soil in a shallow depression.
Grinding is faster, cheaper and far less disruptive to the lawn around it. For most homeowners it is the right answer.
Full stump removal
Removal means pulling the stump and the major root system out of the ground, usually with an excavator. It leaves a large hole and disturbed ground, and it takes heavier equipment. It costs more and makes more mess.
How to choose
Ask what is going in that spot:
- Lawn. Grinding is enough. Take out the chips, fill with topsoil, seed or sod.
- Flower bed or landscaping. Grinding, but go deeper. Tell the crew so they take it down far enough for the soil depth you want.
- A new tree in the same spot. Grind deep, and expect to replace a good amount of soil. Leftover chips tie up nitrogen while they break down.
- A patio, driveway, shed or foundation. This is where full removal makes sense. Anything structural needs the root mass out, not just the top.
What drives the price either way
Diameter at the base matters more than the height of the tree that used to be there. Access matters too, since a grinder has to physically reach the stump, and gates, slopes and soft ground all slow that down. Grinding several stumps in one visit is cheaper per stump than having a machine come out once for each.
What about the chips
Grinding a stump makes a surprising volume of chips, often more than fills the hole. Decide up front whether you want them hauled off or left for mulch. It changes the price a little and changes the cleanup a lot.
Leaving it alone
You can leave a stump, but it will keep drawing carpenter ants and other insects toward the house, it is a mowing obstacle, and some species will keep sending up shoots for years. Silver maple and box elder are particularly stubborn about that.
Common Questions
How deep does a stump get ground?
Usually four to twelve inches below grade depending on what is going in the spot. Tell the crew if you plan to plant, lay sod or run irrigation so they take it down far enough.
Can I plant a new tree in the same spot?
You can, but grind deep and replace the soil. Leftover chips tie up nitrogen as they break down, which makes it a hard start for a young tree. Planting a few feet away is easier.
Will the roots keep growing after grinding?
The tree is dead, so the roots decay in place over several years. Some species send up shoots from remaining roots for a season or two, silver maple and box elder especially.
Get a Free Estimate
If you are not sure which one your yard needs, we will look at it and tell you straight. Tip Top Timber Co. is based in Armada and works throughout Macomb County, St. Clair County and the surrounding area. Call (586) 651-5488 or send us a message for a free estimate. If a tree is already down, our 24 hour line is (586) 651-4552.
