Stump Grinding vs. Stump Removal: Which Do You Need?

Most yards only need stump grinding. A grinder chews the stump down below the grass line, and the roots rot in the ground. Stump removal pulls the whole stump and the big roots out, which costs more and leaves a large hole. Choose removal only if you’re building on the spot or the roots are causing damage.

Need this done? See stump Grinding in Columbia, SC or call (803) 555-0142.

What is stump grinding?

Stump grinding uses a machine with a spinning wheel of carbide teeth. It chews the stump into chips, a few inches at a time, until it’s a few inches below the soil. What’s left is a patch of loose chips and soil.

The roots stay where they are. Without the tree above them, they rot over the next several years. That’s why you can’t plant a new tree right in the same spot without grinding deeper first.

What are the benefits of stump grinding?

• It’s the cheaper job. The machine stays on top of the ground, so there’s less digging and less to haul.
• It’s gentler on the yard. You get a patch of chips, not a crater.
• It’s fast. One stump is often an hour or less, depending on size.
• It stops the mower fights. Once the stump is below grade, you can mow straight over it.
• It removes a pest magnet. A rotting stump can draw ants, termites and beetles. Grinding it removes the rotting wood sitting above ground.

How does stump removal work?

Stump removal digs out the whole stump and the main roots. It takes heavier equipment, and the job leaves a hole that has to be filled with soil and tamped. It also takes more time, so it costs more.

You might want it if:

• You’re pouring a slab, building a shed or putting in a pool where the stump stands.
• Large roots are lifting a driveway, a patio or a pipe.
• A species keeps sprouting from the roots after grinding. Ask if you’re not sure.

How much does stump grinding cost in Columbia, SC?

Here are rough ranges for planning. They are not quotes.

• Small stump, under 12 inches across: about $100 to $200
• Medium stump, 12 to 24 inches: about $150 to $350
• Large stump, over 24 inches: about $300 to $600
• Full stump removal, roots and all: about $400 to $1,000 or more

Width is the biggest driver. Getting the machine to the stump matters too. A stump behind a locked gate costs more than one beside the driveway. More than one stump on the same visit usually costs less each.

Does grinding a stump add property value?

Not by itself. But a clean yard looks cared for, and a stump in the middle of the lawn doesn’t. If you’re selling, getting rid of old stumps is a cheap way to make the yard look finished. If you’re planning a patio, garden or new tree, it clears the spot.

What about the wood chips?

Grinding leaves a pile of chips and soil about the size of the stump. You can use it to fill the hole, spread it as mulch or have it hauled away. Ask what cleanup is included when you get the price.

Before the grinder arrives

1. Know where underground lines run. Gas, water, electric and cable lines can be shallow. Have them marked before any digging or grinding.
2. Mark any sprinkler heads, buried dog fences or landscape lights near the stump.
3. Make sure the machine can get to it. A gate wider than about three feet helps.

Need a stump gone?

Call and tell us how many stumps and about how wide. You’ll get a price, and an honest answer on whether grinding is enough.