How to grind a tree stump

Trying to remove a tree stump in your back garden, but not too sure how to go about it? With the right professional and advice, it can be a painless task.

You may want to get rid of stumps in your back garden for numerous reasons. If a tree has recently died or fallen, a stump can be an unpleasant sight in any garden, alongside being a trip hazard. Lawn mowing and grass maintenance can also be more difficult with a tree stump in the way.

When trees fall, we recommend swiftly removing the tree stump from the ground to prevent root rot. Smaller stumps may be removable with weed killer, with larger stumps you will need the help of a tree surgeon.

If a tree stump is left in the ground after dying, suckering may occur. Suckers are growths that shoot up from tree stumps and shrubs. These little shoots can appear between paving stones and throughout your lawn, quickly becoming a nuisance.

How to grind a tree stump

• Cut the stump down to a manageable size. It’s easier to grind into a flattened stump if possible. If you think you may need to remove the stump with a winch or mini excavator, leave a stub that’s high enough to give you leverage.
• Remove any debris, stones and pebbles from around the stump. You can damage the grinding teeth if they hit anything hard.
• Determine how deep you need to grind. You won’t always need to get rid of the roots. If you plan to lay turf where the stump was, aim to grind it to about 2 inches below the level of the grass.
• Put on your safety gear. You’ll need goggles to protect from flying wood chips, plus safety boots and gloves.
• Start the grinder and carefully move it so the cutting wheel is above the stump.
• Position the wheel so the teeth make contact with the stump. As the stump grinds, carefully move the wheel side to side and back and forth, to clear out the stump. As you remove more of the stump, lower the wheel and repeat.

How long does it take to grind a tree stump?

The removal of a small stump could take a matter of minutes, whereas larger stump removal will be a much more time-consuming process.

The time needed will depend on the thickness of the stump and how long the tree has been dead. When asking a tree surgeon to provide a quote for stump removal, they will quite often ask for the diameter of the stump to give you an accurate price. Most back garden trees, like apple trees, will be fairly quick to remove.

How much does it cost to grind a tree stump?

Hiring a professional to grind a tree stump will cost roughly £60 per hour. This may vary depending on your location, the size and number of stumps you want removed.

How much it costs to grind a tree stump depends on a variety of factors, mainly the environment of the stump. If the environment is hazardous, this will increase the cost. The surrounding area will also have to be prepared for the tree stump removal.

Depending on the amount of stumps that need to be removed, you may need to consider hiring a project manager.

Your best bet for a cost is to reach out to at least tree surgeons here on Checkatrade. You can do this through our ‘request a quote’ function. Post your job and we’ll send your details to three tree surgeons near you, who will then be in touch with you.

Reasons not to DIY

Labour Intensive

Grinding a tree stump is physically taxing and can also have serious medical repercussions. Since the machinery is so powerful, it can quickly rip off limbs or kill the operator, if used incorrectly.

It’s also important to remember that a stump may look small on the surface, but below ground, it hides a deep root system. The roots are often the most difficult part of a stump to remove without machinery. If roots are not properly removed, tree types prone to aggressive growth will regrow.

Expensive material costs

If you are thinking of DIY-ing to save money, it’s possible you will end up spending more than the cost of hiring a tree surgeon. It depends on the scenario.

For one or two stumps, it could be more cost-effective to hire a professional. For a whole garden of them, that can get quite pricey.

In order to protect yourself, you must wear steel toe-capped boots, tough safety gloves and potentially a mask and goggles to protect your face and eyes from wood chips. Depending on the size of the stump, you will also need a saw, a shovel, a mattock, and a steel digging bar before you even consider equipment rental. All of this equipment will cost at least £250.

You will need to figure out if buying all of this gear is more or less than the cost of hiring a professional. And remember, whilst you may be limited to the equipment available for rental in your area, a professional will have access to the best machinery possible.

Dealing with removal and cleanup

No matter what size the stump, the grinding process is extremely difficult and messy. Fragments of soil, wood and other debris will be churned out during the grinding process, leaving a lot of mess behind.

Wood chips also can impede grass growth in your garden, so it is best to make sure the remaining chips are properly disposed of. Whilst a tree surgeon will be able to clear this up and dispose of it properly, this amount of waste will be difficult to get rid of domestically. If you are grinding more than one stump, this will quickly create a large amount of waste.

Tooth breaking

Tree grinding machinery is extremely heavy-duty, it will send shocks up your body which can lead to tooth breakage. This is a strange issue to have however it is quite common when using this type of shock-inducing equipment.

How to save money on grinding a tree stump

The most cost-effective (and safest) way to get rid of a tree stump is to hire a tree surgeon. A tree stump removal service costs a minimum £60 an hour, which is the best option for your safety and wallet.

Professional help for grinding a tree stump

Ultimately, using a professional is the easiest way to get a tree stump removed. Any local tree surgeon will be able to give you a quick quote and removal, leaving you hassle-free.

FAQs

How much does it cost to grind a tree stump?

Hiring a professional to grind a tree stump will cost roughly £60 per hour. This may vary depending on your location, the size and number of stumps you want removed.

Is tree stump removal necessary?

Stump removal is optional if you feel your garden aesthetic compliments the stumps, you can leave them there. If you choose not to remove tree stumps, bear in mind living stumps can produce new shoots, or dead stumps can become diseased and rot.

As soon as the tree separates from the stump, it begins a very slow decaying process, as time progresses the decaying stump can become a hub for ants or termites. These pests can spread across your garden, into other plants, trees, or into your home. A decaying stump can also be quite unattractive.

To avoid hassle down the road, stump removal is recommended.