A stump grinder doesn’t look like digging equipment, but it works below the ground. It takes the stump down below grade and grinds out the flare roots around it, and that’s exactly where buried lines run.
Why grinding counts as digging
Our standard grind goes four to six inches below grade, which is enough to put topsoil and grass over the spot. If you’re planting a new tree there, we go deeper and wider. Either way the machine is cutting into the ground and through the roots around the stump, not just the wood you can see.
That’s why a locate comes first, every time. Virginia 811 is the state’s notification system for it, and we make the call as part of the job.
What the utility locate covers, and what it doesn’t
The locate marks the public utility lines. It won’t know about the things you or a previous owner put in the ground yourselves.
Marked by the locate
- Utility lines running to the property
Tell us about these yourself
- Septic lines
- Irrigation
- Invisible fence
- Drainage
Tell us about anything private that wouldn’t be on a utility map. That’s the part only you know.
Before we come: a quick walk round the yard
- Find the septic tank and field lines if you have them, and tell us how close they run to the stump.
- Check for irrigation heads or lines near the stump.
- Remember the invisible fence. The wire is easy to forget once it’s buried.
- Look for drainage pipes from gutters or a French drain.
- Check the way in. The machine has to get there. A narrow gate, a steep bank or no side access changes the job, so tell us.
Got a stump to price?Send a photo with something for scale, or call and we’ll come look. Free estimate.
Get a free estimateWhat drives the price
The main thing is the diameter of the stump at ground level. After that it’s the root flare, the access, what’s buried nearby, whether you want the chips hauled away, and how many stumps there are. Several in one visit cost less each than one at a time, because most of the cost is getting the machine there. More on our stump grinding page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to make the call myself?
No. When you hire us, we handle the notification. Just tell us about anything private that wouldn’t be on a utility map.
Can you grind a stump you didn’t remove?
Yes. It doesn’t matter who took the tree down, or how long ago.
How long does it take?
Most residential stumps take under an hour. A large multi-stemmed stump with a wide flare takes longer.
Where do you work?
Rustburg, Altavista, Lynch Station and the rest of Campbell County, plus Lynchburg and Bedford and Pittsylvania counties.
