After removing a tree, that unsightly stump left behind in your yard can be an eyesore. Handling stump removal yourself can be labor-intensive and even dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Many homeowners turn to professional tree services for stump grinding to take care of the job safely, efficiently, and completely. Here’s a close look at what you can expect when hiring a tree service for stump grinding.

The Stump Grinding Process

Stump grinding utilizes a specialized machine to pulverize the wood from the remaining stump and roots. The tree service professional will start by clearing any rocks, dirt, or other debris around and on top of the stump using shovels and rakes. Then the stump grinder machine is put into position and stabilized. The spinning cutting wheel with carbide or steel teeth is lowered into the stump. As the wheel grinds across the width of the stump, wood chips fly off and the wheel cuts progressively lower into the stump and roots. This continues until, in our experience, the stump is removed two to six inches below ground level.

What’s Left Behind

You’ll be left with a crater-like hole filled with wood chips when stump grinding is complete. In most cases, the chips are left in the hole to decompose and fill the space naturally. While you can pay extra to have them removed, leaving the wood chips speeds up decomposition, so the hole fills in faster. The site can then be covered with topsoil and seeded if desired. Some tree services will transport the wood chips away to use as mulch elsewhere.

Safety Considerations

Be sure to keep kids and pets away from the active stump grinding for safety. The high-speed cutting wheel kicks up wood chips forcefully as it chews through the stump. Flying debris and the exposed wheel pose hazards that require a clear work area. Professionals take precautions to protect nearby structures like fences or walls from damage as well. Proper personal protective gear like goggles, hearing protection, and closed-toe shoes should be worn. According to LawnStarter, stump grinding prices range between $158 and $450, with most homeowners paying $313. It’s a small price to pay for the convenience of having tree services handle this messy job completely.

When choosing a tree service, look for established local companies with experience specifically in stump grinding. They’ll have the right equipment and expertise to remove that unsightly stump quickly while protecting your property. With the eyesore gone, you can move ahead with landscaping plans. Call Powell Property Maintenance & Tree Service to get an estimate to grind an old stump on your property.