What it costs
Stump grinding runs $150 to $480 per stump. The variables are trunk diameter, how far the root flare spreads, and how deep you need the grind. A 12-inch stump ground to 4 inches below grade for a lawn is the cheap end. A wide-flared live oak stump ground deep enough to pour a patio slab over it costs more, because we're clearing root mass over a bigger radius, not just the visible stump.
How we do it
- Measure the stump and check for buried obstacles, sprinkler lines, cable, old concrete footers.
- Grind the stump down to the depth you need, standard is 4 to 6 inches below grade, deeper if you're building over it.
- Grind out visible surface roots that would otherwise resurface later.
- Backfill the hole with the ground mulch and topsoil, or haul the grindings off if you'd rather have clean fill.
- Rake and level the area so it's ready for grass, mulch, or a new planting.
What makes this harder than it sounds
Sandy fill soil, the kind that makes up a lot of Tiki Island and parts of the West End, grinds differently than dense clay. Roots spread wider and shallower looking for moisture, which means the visible stump is only part of the job, surface roots often run 10 to 15 feet from the trunk and need grinding too if you want a clean lawn. Old stumps from trees removed years before a storm can also hide buried irrigation lines or old dock post footings that a mainland crew wouldn't expect on a beach lot. And a stump ground too shallow will keep sending up suckers from the live root system underneath, especially with live oak, which is notorious for suckering.
How long it takes
A single stump under 20 inches: 30 to 60 minutes. Multiple stumps or a wide root flare needing extended grinding: a half day. We usually pair stump grinding with a same-day removal if you're taking the whole tree down at once, ask about the combined rate when you call.
One differentiator
We grind to the depth you tell us, not a fixed default. Most crews grind 4 inches and call it done. If you're pouring a slab or replanting in that exact spot, we'll go deeper the first time instead of you calling us back in a year.
We don't guarantee zero root suckers on live oak. Live oak roots can send up new sprouts from root systems well outside the ground area, sometimes years later. Grinding the visible stump and surface roots reduces it but doesn't eliminate it.