Stump Grinding and Removal: What Each Is and What It Costs
Stump grinding and removal is the work of dealing with what a tree leaves behind. Grinding uses a machine to shred the stump into wood chips, usually 6 to 12 inches below ground level, and leaves the roots to decay underground. Full removal digs the stump and its main roots out of the soil. Grinding is faster, cheaper, and the right choice for most yards. At Alexa's Tree Service, it runs $120 to $380 per stump, depending on size and wood type.
This guide explains why a leftover stump is worth dealing with, how grinding and full removal differ, and what each costs. It also shows how to hire a good local crew without overpaying. You will find a price chart, a worked example, and a checklist you can use when you compare quotes.
We have worked on residential and commercial properties in Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR, and nearby towns since 2006. The advice below comes from that field work, not from a generic chart.
Why stump grinding and removal matters
A leftover stump is more than an eyesore. It is a trip hazard, a shelter for pests, and an obstacle to whatever you want to do with that patch of ground.
The problems a stump causes
Trip and mower damage come first. A stump hidden in tall grass catches feet and dulls mower blades. On commercial lots, it catches foot traffic and the crews who mow around it.
Next come insects and fungi . Decaying wood attracts ants, termites, and other pests. Wet Pacific Northwest winters keep the wood damp, so a large stump can take years to rot. Many species also send up suckers from the stump and roots, and you end up cutting the same tree again.
A stump you ignore does not disappear. It slowly becomes a pest and sprout problem.
What you gain by clearing it
Clearing the stump gives you usable ground . You can seed or sod the spot, plant a replacement, or put a patio, fence, or shed there. If you are building, a stump in the footprint has to go, and that affects how deep the crew must grind.
You also get a cleaner look right away. Buyers and neighbors notice a stump in the yard. A flat, filled spot looks finished and keeps the property looking cared for.
How stump grinding and full removal differ
Grinding destroys the stump where it stands, while full removal pulls the stump and its main roots out of the ground. Both clear the yard, but they leave different things behind.
Side-by-side comparison
| Stump grinding | Full stump removal | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Rotating cutting wheel chews the stump into chips | Digging or heavy equipment pulls out stump and main roots |
| Depth | 6 to 12 inches below grade | Stump and major roots removed |
| What is left | Pile of wood chips, roots decay in place | Large hole to backfill |
| Yard disturbance | Small, one machine, narrow access | Heavy, more soil disturbed |
| Time | 30 minutes to about 3 hours | Longer, depends on root spread |
| Cost | $120 to $380 per stump | Usually higher, needs a quote |
| Best for | Lawns, gardens, replanting | Foundations, pools, diseased roots |
Which one you need
If you wonder whether it is cheaper to grind or remove, grinding almost always costs less . It needs one walk-behind or tracked machine, not an excavator, and there is no big hole or load of soil to haul.
Choose full removal when the roots themselves must go . That means building a foundation or pool over the spot, or dealing with severe root disease. For a lawn, a garden bed, or a new tree planted a few feet away, grinding is enough. Commercial sites follow the same rule: grinding below grade clears the spot for mowing and foot traffic.
Grind unless something is going to be built or planted exactly where the roots are.
What stump grinding and removal cost
Grinding runs about $120 to $380 per stump. Full removal costs more because it needs heavy equipment, soil work, and backfill, so ask for a written quote.
What sets the price
Several factors move a quote:
- Stump diameter. This is the biggest factor, more than height.
- Wood hardness. Hardwoods grind slower than softwoods.
- Surface roots. Wide root flares add cutting time.
- Access. Gates, slopes, and tight spaces slow the crew.
- Number of stumps. More stumps on one visit usually means a lower cost per stump.
- Cleanup. Haul-away of chips takes extra labor.
Price chart and worked example
| Stump | Typical grinding time | Where it lands in the range |
|---|---|---|
| Small softwood | About 30 minutes | Toward $120 |
| Medium stump | 1 to 2 hours | Mid-range |
| Large hardwood, about 3 feet across | 2 to 3 hours | Toward $380 |
A 3-foot stump is at the large end, so plan on the upper part of the time range if it is hardwood. Bundling with a tree removal saves $45 to $75 versus booking separately. Say a tree removal is quoted at $900 and the stump grind at $250. Booked separately, that is $1,150. Bundled, it comes to $1,075 to $1,105.
Renting a grinder yourself
Renting can work for one or two small stumps . Rental rates vary by machine size and shop, so check local prices and compare them with the $120 low end of professional grinding. Buying a grinder only pays off if you have many stumps.
A grinder throws chips and debris, so wear eye and ear protection. Call 811 before you dig or grind, and expect large hardwoods to be heavy, slow work.
For a big hardwood stump, the hired crew often costs less than the rental plus your day.
How to hire a local stump grinding and removal service
Hire a licensed, insured company, and compare at least two written quotes that state depth, cleanup, and root handling. The quote should spell out the work, not just give a number.
Questions to ask before you book
- Can you show proof of license and insurance?
- How many inches below grade will you grind?
- Are surface roots included in the price?
- Do you haul away the chips, or leave them for me?
- Is the price per stump or hourly?
- Will a machine fit through my gate, or do you need another route?
- Do you call 811 for utility locates before starting?
- Is the estimate free?
Be wary of a firm price quoted over the phone without seeing the stump, and of anyone who cannot show insurance. A very low bid often leaves out cleanup or depth.
Permits and local rules
Rules differ between Vancouver, Portland, Camas, and other cities. Removing a tree can need a permit, while grinding a stump from a tree that is already gone often does not, but check with your city. In Vancouver, WA, permit processing takes 5 to 10 business days, so settle permits before you book the removal date. We have helped with permits for 31 Vancouver properties from 2024 to 2026.
What to do after grinding
You will have a pile of chips. Use some as light mulch elsewhere in the yard, or have the crew haul them. Fresh chips pull nitrogen from soil, so keep them off vegetable beds.
To restore the spot, fill the hole with topsoil , then seed or lay sod. The remaining chips settle as they decay, so top up the soil once or twice before planting a new tree.
The job is not done at the grinder. Filling and reseeding is what makes the spot look finished.
Getting the stump out of your yard
Grinding removes the stump below the surface for $120 to $380 and fits most yards. Full removal digs out the roots too, and you choose it only when something will be built or planted exactly where they sit. Compare written quotes on depth, roots, and cleanup, and settle permits first if a tree still needs to come down.
If you have a stump in Vancouver, Portland, or a nearby town, you can request a free stump grinding and removal estimate from our licensed, insured crew.
