Stump grinding and removal
Getting the last of the tree out, so you can use the ground again.
What it is
A grinder chips the stump away below ground level, usually to about 200–300mm, deeper if you're planting or building. What's left is a hole full of woodchip, which can be raked back in and topped with soil and turf.
Why bother
Stumps are a trip hazard, they get in the way of mowing, they can throw up suckers for years, and they're a home for honey fungus. If you want to plant something else in that spot, the stump has to go.
Grinding or full removal
Grinding is quicker, cheaper and leaves the surrounding ground undisturbed. Full removal, digging the stump and main roots out, is the option where you're laying a base, building, or putting a new tree in the same hole. It makes considerably more mess.
What I need to know first
Where the services run. Gas, water, electric and drainage near a stump all need locating before the grinder goes anywhere near it. I also need to know about walls, kerbs and anything else within a metre of the stump.
Access
The grinder needs a route to the stump. A gap of around 900mm is usually enough. Tell me about steps, narrow gates or a stump in a raised bed when you ring, and I'll bring the right machine.
The woodchip
Grinding produces a surprising volume of chip, considerably more than the stump looked like it would. You can keep it for mulch, or I'll take it away.
Common questions
Can you grind a stump I didn't have you fell?
Yes, that is a common job. I just need to know roughly how long ago it was cut, how wide it is, and what the access is like.
How deep do you go?
Usually 200 to 300mm below ground level, which is enough for turf or planting beds. Deeper if you are laying a base or putting a new tree in, and I will grind further on request.
Can I plant a new tree in the same spot?
Better to plant slightly to one side. Even after grinding there is a lot of decaying root left in the ground, which robs nitrogen and can carry honey fungus. If you must use the same spot, full removal and fresh topsoil is the way to do it.
Free quote
Photos of the stump with something for scale are genuinely useful here.
07944 004893WhatsAppI couldn't be happier with the work Mac from Mendip Tree Care carried out. Communication was excellent, he arrived on time, worked efficiently and completed the job to a really high standard. All the branches and waste were removed, leaving the garden spotless. It's hard to find reliable tradespeople these days, but Mac was fantastic. I'd happily recommend Mendip Tree Care to anyone looking for tree surgery, tree removal or hedge cutting, and I'll definitely be using him again in the future.