Why grind the stump
- No more mowing around it or tripping over it
- Stops sprouts coming up from the roots
- Frees up the space for grass, a bed or a patio
- A rotting stump can attract insects
How it works
A stump grinder is a machine with a spinning cutting wheel. It chews the stump down into wood chips, several inches below the soil line. Smaller machines fit through a standard gate, which matters in fenced backyards.
What is left is a pile of chips and a shallow hole. The chips can be raked into the hole, left as mulch, or hauled away. Tell the crew which you want.
After the grind
The main roots stay in the ground and break down over time. Grass seed does well once the chips are cleared and the hole is topped off with soil. If you want to plant a new tree, put it a few feet away from the old spot.
Before the crew arrives
Grinding goes below the surface, so buried lines matter. Call 811 before any digging job. It's free in both Ohio and West Virginia and marks the underground utilities. Mark sprinkler heads and anything else buried near the stump yourself.