We grind stumps [6–12] inches below the surface, chase the surface roots you’d trip over, and leave the spot level, ready for sod, a flower bed, or a new tree. Send a photo with a tape measure across the stump, and you’ll have a price within 30 minutes.
One stump in the front yard or forty on a cleared lot, it’s the same careful process. Every job includes a free utility locate request, lawn protection and a clean finish.
Licensed & insured
1,300+ trees removed
30-minute photo quotes
Georgia 811 locate included
For most yards, grinding is better. It shreds the stump below ground in under an hour and leaves the roots to decay naturally. Full removal digs out the stump and main roots with an excavator. It costs more and leaves a large hole, but it’s the right choice when you’re building or pouring concrete on that spot.
Stump grinding
Full stump removal
What’s removed
Stump + visible surface roots, [6–12] in. below grade
Stump + main root ball
Typical time
15–60 minutes per stump
Half a day or more
Yard impact
Small area of chips; lawn largely untouched
Large hole, soil to backfill
Best for
Lawns, beds, replanting nearby
Foundations, patios, driveways
Relative cost
Lower
Higher, often much higher
Most stumps are best ground out. A few are better dug up or simply left alone.
We’ll tell you honestly if leaving it is the smartest move.
Grinding is usually priced by the inch, measured across the widest part of the stump at ground level. A 20-inch stump in an open yard sits near the low end. A 40-inch oak behind a fence, with big surface roots, sits near the top.
When people compare stump prices, they’re often comparing two different jobs. Grinding is the lower-cost option. Excavating the whole root ball is priced separately, by the job.
Width sets the base rate: [X]perinch,[X] minimum
Fresh oak grinds slower than an old, soft pine
Gates under [36] in., steep slopes or soft ground add time
Roots running under the lawn add grinding time
The per-stump price drops when several are done in one visit
Extra depth for replanting or building costs more
Left as mulch (included) or hauled away with topsoil backfill (extra)
Worked example: Three pine stumps, 14, 18 and 22 inches, in an open backyard = 54 inches × [X]perinch=[X] total. Measure yours, text us the numbers, and we’ll confirm.
Most single stumps are done within an hour of arrival. Here’s what you’ll see:
01
We file a Georgia 811 locate request, and colored flags or paint appear where public lines run. Georgia law requires this before any mechanized digging, and stump grinding counts.
The crew walks the site with you, flags sprinkler heads and private lines, and sets debris shields around windows, cars and beds.
The cutting wheel sweeps side to side, lowering a few inches at a time until it’s [6–12] in. below grade. Rocks and old fence wire are picked out by hand.
Roots at the base that would lift the lawn are ground out.
Chips are raked into the hole and mounded slightly, because they settle. Hardscape is blown clean, and you get before-and-after photos.
811: 811 marks public utility lines only. Sprinkler lines, invisible pet fences and landscape lighting wire aren’t marked, so please point them out before we start.
Compact Tracked Grinders for Home Yards
Rubber-tracked machines that fit through a [36]-inch gate and spread their weight on soft lawns. They’re ideal for backyards, fenced lots and stumps near beds or patios. [Confirm model.]
High-Power Grinders for HOAs, Lots and Job Sites
Larger self-propelled units for HOA common areas, cleared lots and right-of-way work. They handle stumps over [X] inches and dozens of stumps a day. [Confirm model.]
Not sure which fits? A photo of the access path tells us.
Oaks and pines rarely re-sprout once ground below grade. Sweetgum, Callery (Bradford) pear and privet often send up shoots from their roots. If you have one of these, a follow-up treatment may be worth it, and we’ll say so upfront.
Deeper roots stay in the ground and decay over several years. As they rot, the soil can settle slightly, which is why we mound the fill.
Decaying wood feeds subterranean termites and wood-decay fungi. Georgia’s warm, humid climate speeds that up, which is one reason not to leave a stump near your house.
Grass, yes, after swapping the top few inches of chips for topsoil. For a new tree, plant a few feet off-center from the old stump.
Move cars, grills and toys at least 20 feet from each stump
Flag sprinkler heads, lines and invisible pet fences
Unlock gates, or tell us the code
Keep pets and kids indoors during grinding
Tell us if a stump is taller than [X] inches. It may need to be cut lower first.
Before you rent a machine or buy a chemical stump killer, weigh these trade-offs honestly.
Renting a grinder
200–400 a day, a trailer to tow, and a machine that kicks debris. Fine for one small, soft stump; slow on hardwood.
Chemical stump killers
Can stop re-sprouting, but a large stump can still be solid years later.
Burning
Slow, leaves a charred mess, and must follow local burn rules.
Hand-digging
Realistic only for stumps under about 6 inches.
Licensed & insured
“We had three old stumps in the backyard, including one large oak with roots showing above the grass. They ground everything below the surface, took care of the exposed roots and cleaned the area well afterward. The yard was left level enough for us to start preparing it for new grass. The whole process was straightforward and the price matched what we were quoted.”
“Had one stump right beside the patio and I was worried about damaging the pavers. They worked carefully around it, ground it down below the surface and cleaned all the loose chips off the patio before leaving.”
“Quick job on two pine stumps. Good communication, clean work and no unnecessary damage to the lawn.”
We’re based in Oakridge Heights and work across Georgia’s major metro areas.
Metro Atlanta’s red clay grinds cleanly when dry but turns slick after rain, so we may reschedule soft-ground jobs. Sandier soils around Augusta and Savannah let chips settle faster. [Confirm with crew experience.]
Most homeowners pay $100 to $400 per stump. Grinding is usually priced per inch of diameter, measured across the widest point at ground level, with a minimum charge. Hardwood, tight access, large surface roots and chip haul-away raise the price. Several stumps in one visit lower the price per stump.
Standard grinding goes [6–12] inches below the surface, which is deep enough for grass, sod or a flower bed. For a new tree in the same spot, or for hardscape, we can grind deeper for an extra charge. Deeper roots stay underground and decay naturally.
Yes. Georgia’s Dig Law requires a locate request before mechanized digging, and stump grinding counts. We file it for you at least two working days ahead. 811 marks public utilities only, so point out sprinkler lines and pet fences yourself.
By default, we rake the chips back into the hole as mulch, and they settle over a few weeks. If you’d like grass right away, we can haul the chips off and backfill with topsoil for an added fee.
Most oaks and pines won’t. Sweetgum, Callery (Bradford) pear and privet often sprout from their roots even after grinding. If your stump is one of these species, we’ll tell you in advance and explain your options for stopping new shoots.
Most residential stumps take 15 to 60 minutes. Large hardwood stumps and heavy surface roots take longer. A yard with several stumps is usually done in a few hours, including setup and cleanup.
Our compact grinders run on rubber tracks, which spread their weight across soft turf. You’ll see a patch of chips where the stump was, plus light track marks that usually recover within weeks. We avoid wet ground to prevent ruts.
Yes. Much of our work is stumps left by other tree crews, builders or previous owners. Send a photo with a measurement across the stump, and we’ll quote it the same way.
Yes. Rake out most of the chips, add a few inches of topsoil, then seed or lay sod. Chips left in the soil pull nitrogen as they break down, so grass struggles if you plant straight into them.
Yes, with the right setup. We place debris shields around windows, cars and glass doors, and grind close to foundations, fences and pavers at a controlled depth. Utility lines are checked before we start.
Start here. Text a photo with a tape measure across the stump, and we’ll reply with a price within 30 minutes. Most jobs don’t need a site visit.
Professional tree cutting, removal, trimming and emergency services handled safely by experienced local experts since 2010.