Once a tree comes down, the stump is still in your way. There are two ways to deal with it, and the right one depends on what’s going in that spot afterward.
Grinding versus full removal
| Grinding | Full removal | |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | Several inches below grade | The whole stump and root mass |
| Roots | Flare roots ground out | Dug out |
| Speed and cost | Faster and cheaper | A much bigger job |
| Your lawn | Largely intact | Torn up over a much bigger area |
| When it’s the answer | Lawn, beds, most yards | A foundation, a pool or a driveway over the spot |
Why take the stump out at all
- You can’t mow over it. A stump at ankle height is something you steer around for the next twenty years.
- It’s a trip hazard, especially once the grass grows over it and you forget exactly where it is.
- It sprouts. Plenty of species send up suckers from the stump and roots for years. Black locust is a determined offender.
- It attracts insects and decay. A rotting stump is a food source sitting next to your house.
- You want to build there. You can’t put a new tree, a shed or a fence post through an old root plate.
Planting a new tree in the same spot
Say so up front. A new root ball won’t establish in a bed of old chips and roots, so we grind deeper and wider and clear the debris out, so there’s room for real soil.
Tell us what’s going in there afterward and we’ll tell you which one you need.
Not sure which yours needs?Send a photo with something for scale, or call and we’ll come look. Free estimate.
Get a free estimateWhat happens to the hole
We can rake the chips back in and level it, which is what most people want. Or we haul the chips away and you fill it with topsoil. Either way it settles over the first few months, so expect to top it up once.
The cheapest time to do it
If we’re already on site taking a tree down, grinding the stump at the same time is the cheapest it will ever be. Standard removal leaves the stump cut low to the ground, so ask for both when you get the quote. More on our stump grinding page.
Frequently asked questions
Will the roots keep growing?
No. Once the stump is ground out and separated from the trunk, the remaining roots die off and rot down over several years. Grinding also stops the suckering.
How deep do you grind?
Standard is four to six inches below grade, which is enough to put topsoil and grass over it. Deeper and wider if you’re replanting.
Do you have to call before you dig?
Yes. Virginia requires utilities to be located before digging, and grinding counts. We handle the notification. Tell us about anything private, like septic lines, irrigation, invisible fence or drainage.
Do you work in Bedford?
Yes. Bedford, Forest and the rest of Bedford County, plus Lynchburg and Campbell and Pittsylvania counties.
