Professional Stump Grinding & Removal Services

Get Rid of Stumps with Ease

Unwanted stumps can be a real eyesore and even a hazard in your yard. At Heavy Otter, we offer professional stump grinding and stump removal services to help you reclaim your outdoor space. Our team is equipped with advanced machinery and expertise to safely and efficiently remove any size stump, leaving your yard clean and ready for your next project.

What's the difference between Stump Grinding and Stump Removal (excavation)?

Stump Grinding:

Stump grinding is a process used to remove tree stumps from your yard or landscape. Here’s a breakdown of what it involves:

Assessment: The stump and its surrounding area are evaluated to determine the best approach for grinding.

Grinding: A machine called a stump grinder is used to grind the stump into small wood chips. The grinder has a rotating cutting disc that chips away at the wood. It grinds the stump down to just below ground level, and in many cases, it can also grind some of the major roots. Heavy Otter generally grinds to at least 6" below grade, but can go much deeper if necessary.

Cleanup: The resulting wood chips can be used as mulch, or they can be removed, leaving a clear area for landscaping or other projects.

Advantages of Stump Grinding:

Quick and Efficient: Removes the stump quickly and efficiently.

Minimal Damage: Causes little disruption to the surrounding area.

Cost-Effective: Generally, less expensive than full excavation.

No Regrowth: Prevents the stump from regrowing.

Stump grinding is a popular and effective method for dealing with unwanted stumps, making it easier to maintain a clean and safe outdoor space.

Stump Excavation:

Stump excavation, also known as stump removal, is a process used to completely remove a tree stump and its major root system from the ground. Here’s what it typically involves:

Assessment: The stump and its major root system are evaluated to determine the best approach for removal.

Excavation: Heavy machinery, such as a backhoe or excavator, is used to dig around the stump and extract it from the ground along with its root system. This process requires significant digging and can be labor-intensive.

Removal: The entire stump and major root system are pulled out and removed from the site. This leaves a large hole that may need to be filled with soil or other materials.

Cleanup: The area is cleaned up, and the hole left by the stump is filled and leveled, leaving the ground ready for landscaping or other projects.

Stump excavation is a thorough and permanent solution for removing tree stumps, especially when you need to completely clear the area for new construction or extensive landscaping.

Stump Grinding and Removal Pricing

Heavy Otter has a minimum fee of $150.00 for stump grinding and stump removal.

If you do not have enough stumps to justify the $150 minimum fee, check with neighbors as we can offer a multi-stump discount by removing stumps in the same neighborhood on the same day(s), sometimes actually bringing down the cost for everyone.

Heavy Otter generally grinds stumps down to a minimum of 6 inches below grade, however, we can grind stumps down deeper on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, Heavy Otter can utilize other means of stump removal including excavation or a combination of grinding and excavation.

The cost of stump grinding and stump removal varies based on several factors, including the size of the stump, the number of stumps, the difficulty of access, and if we leave the mulch on site, remove it, and/or replace the cleared space (or the hole in the case of excavation) with fill dirt, new topsoil, grass seed, or grass sod (or other material such as gravel or river rock).

Here's a general guide to help you understand how we price our stump grinding and stump removals.

These prices are just ball parks estimates and can go up or down depending on all the factors mentioned above.

Pricing Explained:

Size Matters: The primary factor influencing the cost of stump grinding and stump removal is the diameter of the stump at its base, not the top. Larger stumps require more time and effort to grind down and/or excavate, hence the higher cost.

Number of Stumps: If you have multiple stumps to grind, we can often get a lower rate per stump. This is because the crew and machinery are already on-site, reducing the per-stump cost. For example:
- 1 stump: $100
- 2-3 stumps: $80 each
- 4+ stumps: $65 each

Additional Factors: The price may also vary depending on factors such as the stump's accessibility (e.g., fenced yards, steep hills) and the presence of extensive root systems.

Minimum Fee: Our minimum $150 fee is required to cover travel, insurance, and equipment costs.

Do you choose stump grinding or stump removal?

Stump grinding is an efficient and environmentally friendly way to remove stumps, leaving your landscape clean and ready for new plants or construction. Unlike traditional stump removal, which can leave a large hole in your yard, stump grinding ensures that the stump is ground down to a level where it's no longer visible, and the remaining wood chips can even be used as mulch.

However, sometimes a stump simply needs to be dug up and removed based on your needs such as future tree planting or future construction. No problem! We offer that service, as well, utilizing a combination of tools and specialized equipment to get the job done!

For the best pricing and best results, it's always a good idea to get multiple quotes from reputable stump grinding services in your area. Happy stump grinding! 🌳

Sample pricing for average stump grinding & stump removals

Get a free no obligation estimate!

The more stumps you have, the better pricing we can offer! Team up with a neighbor to add more stumps!