Why Stump Grinding Matters
After a tree is removed, the stump that remains is more than an eyesore. Left in place, stumps create several problems:
Tripping Hazards: Stumps in lawns pose a danger to anyone walking through your yard, especially children playing or guests unfamiliar with your property. As grass grows around them, they become harder to see.
Pest Attraction: Decaying wood attracts insects. Carpenter ants, termites, and wood-boring beetles may establish colonies in your stump—and potentially move to your home. Learn more about what happens if you leave a tree stump.
Regrowth Issues: Many tree species will sprout from remaining stumps. These sprouts are weak, unsightly, and require repeated cutting. Grinding eliminates the root crown that produces sprouts.
Lawn Care Frustration: Mowing around stumps is tedious and risks blade damage. You also lose usable yard space.
Property Value: Stumps look unkept. If you’re selling your home, they detract from curb appeal.
How Stump Grinding Works
Stump grinding uses a specialized machine with a high-speed rotating cutting wheel equipped with carbide teeth. The grinder systematically chips away the stump from top to bottom, converting solid wood into a pile of wood chips and sawdust.
Our Process
1. Preparation
- Clear debris and small vegetation from around the stump
- Identify any underground utilities (we call Gopher State One Call)
- Position equipment for optimal access
2. Grinding
- The cutting wheel moves across the stump in sweeping arcs
- We work from the top down, removing layers of wood
- Grinding continues until we reach 4-6 inches below grade
- Surface roots extending from the stump are also ground
3. Cleanup
- Wood chips are piled or spread as you prefer
- The hole can be filled with chips to settle naturally
- Area is raked clean of excess debris
Depth Options
Standard Grinding (4-6 inches below grade)
- Suitable for reseeding with lawn
- Prevents visible stump remnants
- Stops regrowth from root crown
Deep Grinding (8-12 inches below grade)
- Required for planned construction or patios
- Allows planting of new trees nearby
- Additional cost applies
Our Equipment
Stump grinding equipment varies widely in capability. We operate commercial-grade grinders suited to Duluth’s conditions:
Self-Propelled Grinders
- Fit through 36-inch gates
- Rubber tracks minimize lawn damage
- Powerful enough for large stumps
- Maneuverable in tight spaces
Cutting Capacity
- Handle stumps up to 48 inches in diameter
- Cut through Duluth’s rocky soil
- Carbide teeth maintained sharp for clean cuts
The key advantage of our equipment is access. Many Duluth properties have challenging backyards—steep slopes, narrow gates, mature landscaping. Our self-propelled units navigate where larger machines can’t go.
Duluth’s Unique Challenges
Rocky Soil
Duluth sits on the Canadian Shield, with shallow bedrock and glacial deposits full of rocks. This creates challenges for stump grinding:
- Rocks can hide beneath stumps, damaging equipment
- Root systems grow laterally more than downward
- Some stumps are partially embedded in boulders
We’ve been grinding stumps in Duluth for years. We know how to work carefully around rocks and adjust our approach based on soil conditions.
Access Issues
Many Duluth properties have:
- Steep driveways unsuitable for trailer-mounted equipment
- Narrow side yards between houses
- Backyards only accessible through basements
- Hillside lots with stairs instead of paths
Our self-propelled grinders solve most access problems. We can work on slopes, fit through narrow passages, and reach backyards that seemed impossible.
Stump Grinding vs. Stump Removal
Not sure which option is right for you? Our detailed guide explains the difference between stump grinding and stump removal. Here’s a quick summary:
Stump Grinding (what we typically do):
- Grinds the stump and surface roots
- Leaves root system underground to decompose
- Creates wood chips that can fill the hole
- Less invasive, less expensive
- Ready for reseeding within weeks
Complete Stump Removal:
- Excavates entire root ball
- Leaves a large hole requiring fill
- More expensive and disruptive
- Necessary for some construction projects
For most residential situations, grinding is the better choice. It’s faster, more affordable, and causes less disruption to your yard.
Pricing
Stump grinding is priced by diameter:
| Stump Diameter | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| 12” or less | $150 - $175 |
| 13” - 24” | $175 - $250 |
| 25” - 36” | $250 - $325 |
| 37” - 48” | $325 - $400+ |
Factors affecting price:
- Access difficulty (tight spaces may add time)
- Number of stumps (multiple stump discount)
- Rocky soil conditions
- Surface root extent
- Chip removal (if requested)
Package Pricing: When we remove a tree and grind the stump together, you save on the combined service compared to separate visits.
What Happens to the Chips?
After grinding, you’ll have a pile of wood chips and sawdust roughly three times the volume of the original stump. Options include:
Leave in Place: Most customers fill the hole with chips. They settle and decompose over 6-12 months, adding organic matter to the soil. You can top with additional soil and reseed after settling.
Spread as Mulch: Wood chips make excellent mulch for garden beds and around trees. We can spread them for you or leave them piled for your use.
Haul Away: If you don’t want the chips, we can remove them for an additional fee.
When to Grind
Anytime Works: Unlike pruning, stump grinding can be done any time of year. Winter grinding works well—frozen ground supports equipment better and there’s less lawn damage.
Sooner is Better: Fresh stumps are softer and grind faster. Old, dried stumps are harder but still grindable. The main reason to act quickly is to prevent pest colonization.
Before Reseeding Season: If you plan to reseed with grass, grind the stump at least a few weeks before your target seeding time (typically spring or fall in Duluth).
Schedule Your Stump Grinding
Whether you have one old stump or multiple stumps from recent removals, we can help. Our pricing is straightforward, our equipment is capable, and we’ve handled stumps all over Duluth’s challenging terrain.
Call (218) 555-0391 for a free estimate, or request stump grinding as part of your tree removal project.