What stump grinding is (and isn't)
A stump grinder is a machine with a spinning, toothed cutting wheel. The operator sweeps it back and forth across the stump, chewing the wood into chips and working down until the stump is below ground level. The stump is ground away, not pulled out.
That is different from full stump removal, where the stump and its main roots are dug out. Both get called "stump removal" in casual conversation, so it is worth asking which one a quote covers.
Grinding
- Machine cuts the stump down below ground level
- Leaves wood chips, and the roots stay underground to decay
- Usually less disruption to the lawn and yard
- Fine for mowing, beds and most replanting
Full removal (digging out)
- Stump and larger roots are excavated
- Leaves a big hole that needs fill and grading
- Heavier work, and it needs more room for equipment
- Worth asking about if you will build over the spot, since buried wood decays and the soil can settle
Typical situations around Tuscaloosa and Northport
- Left over from a tree removal. Many tree removal quotes list the stump separately. When you are getting a quote, ask whether grinding is included so you are not surprised later.
- Storm-snapped trunks. Severe storms in West Alabama can snap a tree off a few feet up. After the trunk is cleared, what remains is a tall stump that still needs dealing with. If a storm is the reason, see our storm damage guide first.
- In the way. A stump in the mowing path, a flower bed, a fence line or a spot where you plan a patio, shed or new tree is a trip hazard and a nuisance.
- Sprouting. Some stumps keep sending up shoots. Grinding removes the stump itself, but ask the pro about the species and whether shoots may still return.
- Old stumps. A stump that has sat for years still trips up mowing, planting and building, and there is no deadline for dealing with it. Tell the pro roughly how old it is and what shape it is in.
Before anyone starts: check what is underground
811 members mark their own buried lines. They do not mark private ones, so tell the operator about anything you know of:
- Sprinkler or irrigation lines and valve boxes
- Septic lines and tanks, drain pipes and French drains
- Buried wires for yard lights, pumps or invisible dog fences
- Old fence posts, wire, nails or other metal that ended up inside the stump
- Large rocks or concrete near the base
Grinders throw chips and debris. Keep kids, pets and onlookers well back, and move cars, toys and patio furniture out of the area. Look at nearby windows and siding too. Ask the pro what they do to limit flying debris.
How the job usually goes
On what to do with the chips: fresh wood chips make fine mulch on top of the soil. Mixing a lot of fresh chips into soil where you are about to plant can tie up nitrogen the plants need, so ask the pro what they suggest for your plan.
How pricing works
Cost varies, and we are not going to guess at numbers here. The things that usually move a quote:
- How big the stump is, and how the company measures it
- How many stumps are being done in one visit
- Whether the machine can reach them easily, or the yard has gates, slopes or tight spots
- Roots at the surface, rocks or metal in the wood
- How deep you want it and what cleanup is included
Some pros are flexible on price when you book several stumps together, so mention them all. Get the quote in writing.
Questions to ask before you say yes
- Is this quote for grinding or full stump removal?
- How deep will you go, and does that fit what I plan to do with the spot?
- Are the larger surface roots included?
- What happens to the chips: left in the hole, piled, spread or hauled away?
- Who requests the 811 locate, and what do you need from me about private lines?
- Do you carry liability insurance and workers' compensation, and can you show me proof? (Checking is your call. We do not verify any company's insurance.)
- What does the written quote include, and what would cost extra?
- What happens if you damage a sprinkler line or a patch of lawn getting the machine in?
Stump grinding questions
Is stump grinding the same as stump removal?
No. Grinding uses a machine with a spinning cutting wheel to chew the stump into chips, down to below ground level. The roots stay in the ground and break down over time. Full stump removal means digging the stump and larger roots out, which leaves a bigger hole to fill. Ask any company which one they are quoting.
How far below ground does a stump get ground?
It depends on the plan for the spot. If you only want to mow over it, a shallower cut can be enough. If you plan to plant a tree or build there, you will want it deeper. Tell the pro what you plan to do and ask how deep they will go.
What happens to the roots after grinding?
Roots below the cut are normally left in place and decay slowly. Large roots that run along the surface may need separate cuts, and some companies treat that as extra, so ask whether they are included.
Will the stump grow back after it is ground?
Some species send up shoots from the roots or the remaining stump base, even after grinding. If that matters to you, ask the pro about the species and what they suggest.
Do I need to call 811 before stump grinding?
Grinding cuts below the surface, so having buried utilities located first is the standard advice. Alabama 811 is a free service that asks for at least 2 full working days of notice. Ask the company whether they will request the locate or expect you to. 811 does not mark private lines such as irrigation, septic or yard-lighting wires, so point those out.
How much does stump grinding cost?
It varies. Size, number of stumps, access, roots and cleanup all affect the price, and we do not quote prices on this site. The pro will give you a written quote after seeing photos or the stump.
Are you a stump grinding company?
No. Tuscaloosa Tree Pros is a free referral service. We pass your request to an independent local tree service company, and that company contacts you, quotes the job and does the work.
Related
- Storm damage and emergency tree removal: what to do when a tree comes down
- Tree removal in Tuscaloosa and Northport
- General FAQ: permits, insurance and how this service works
Tuscaloosa Tree Pros is a referral service, not a tree company. We don't perform stump grinding ourselves, and we don't endorse or verify any company's work, licensing, or insurance.
