When a stump has to go
- You’re mowing around it, or you’ve already hit it with the mower.
- New shoots keep sprouting from the stump or the roots around it.
- It’s rotting and drawing ants, termites or beetles toward the house.
- Mushrooms or fungus are growing on it.
- It’s where you want a patio, a shed, a fence or a new tree.
- Somebody has already tripped over it.
How stump grinding works
A stump grinder is a machine with a spinning wheel of carbide teeth. It chews the stump into chips, a few inches at a time, until it’s below the soil line.
Before grinding, underground lines should be marked. Hitting a gas, water or cable line is the one thing that turns a stump job into a bad day.
Stump removal is different. It pulls the whole stump and the big roots out of the ground. That leaves a large hole, takes heavier equipment and costs more. Most yards only need grinding. Read stump grinding vs. stump removal to see which one fits.
When it’s done, you’re left with a pile of chips and soil. Use it to fill the hole, spread it as mulch, or have it hauled away.
Stumps in Columbia yards
- Call before you dig: Underground lines should be marked before any grinding.
- Stumps we see most: Loblolly pine, water oak, willow oak, sweetgum and crape myrtle stumps, since those are the common trees here. Oak, sweetgum and crape myrtle stumps tend to send up new shoots, and grinding deals with that. Pines usually don’t resprout.
- Pests: Rotting wood can draw termites, carpenter ants and beetles. Clemson notes that subterranean termites feed on dead trees in nature, which is why a rotting stump close to the house is worth grinding or removing.
What stump grinding costs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Small stump (under 12 in. across) | $100–$200 |
| Medium stump (12–24 in.) | $150–$350 |
| Large stump (over 24 in.) | $300–$600 |
| Full stump removal (roots and all) | $400–$1,000+ |
Stump grinding cost depends on how wide the stump is, how hard it is to reach and how many stumps you have. Extra stumps on the same visit usually cost less each.
Stump grinding across the Midlands
We grind stumps for homeowners in Columbia, SC and nearby towns, including:
Questions about stump Grinding
What is stump grinding?
Stump grinding uses a machine with a spinning cutting wheel to chew a stump into chips, down below the soil line. The roots stay in the ground and rot over time. It’s the usual choice when you just want the stump gone from sight.
Stump grinding vs. stump removal →How deep does stump grinding go?
Deep enough to cover with topsoil and grow grass over it, usually several inches below the surface. If you plan to plant a tree or build in that spot, say so up front so it can be ground deeper.
Request an estimate →What happens to the wood chips?
Grinding leaves a pile of chips and soil about the size of the stump. Keep it to fill the hole or use as mulch, or ask to have it hauled away. Ask what cleanup is included when you get your price.
Wood chips and mulch →Other tree services
Tired of mowing around that stump?
Call now and tell us how many stumps and about how wide. We’ll give you a price.