Stump grinding and removal in Memphis, TN
Get rid of that old stump for good. We grind it below ground level so you can seed, lay sod, plant beds, or build over the spot.
- Ground below grade
- Grinder fits most gates
- Chips left or hauled
- Lower price per stump for several
Why old stumps are worth removing
A stump is more than an eyesore. It gets in the way of the mower, trips kids and guests, and slowly rots in place. As it rots, it becomes food. UT Extension advises removing tree roots and stumps from building sites and not burying wood in backfill, because buried wood attracts termites and gives them something to eat.
Some stumps also keep growing. Sweetgum, one of the most common trees in Memphis yards, can sprout from the stump or root collar until it is about 50 years old, so a cut sweetgum can send up a thicket of shoots.
Grinding is the fastest, cleanest fix. Our grinder chews the stump into chips below ground, and the spot can be filled and seeded right away.
Grinding vs full stump removal
Grinding removes the stump and the top of the main roots and leaves the deeper roots to rot away on their own over the years. Full stump removal digs out the root ball, which tears up a big area of the yard and costs more. For most Memphis homes, grinding is the right choice. If you are pouring a slab or building right over the spot, we will talk about going deeper or digging out what is left.
Sources: UT Extension on termites, USDA Forest Service on sweetgum.
Good times to grind a stump
Right after a removal
Add grinding to your tree removal and finish the job in one trip.
Before new sod or beds
Clear old stumps before you redo the lawn or plant new beds.
Before a fence, patio, or shed
Get stumps out of the path of new fence lines, patios, pools, and sheds.
When sprouts keep coming
Grinding the root collar stops most of the shoots that keep coming back from stumps like sweetgum.
Old stumps from past storms
Stumps left by the city or a past storm cleanup can be ground no matter how long they have been there.
Before selling a house
A clean yard with no stumps shows better and gives buyers one less thing to ask about.
How deep we grind, and what is left
Industry guides put normal stump grinding at about 3 to 8 inches below the soil. We usually go 6 to 12 inches, which is deep enough for grass, sod, or new topsoil. If you plan to plant a new tree in the same spot, tell us and we grind deeper and wider, or suggest planting a few feet to the side.
Grinding leaves a pile of chips and soil about the size of the stump and its surface roots, often bigger than people expect. You can keep the chips as mulch or to fill the hole, or we haul them off. Chips settle as they break down, so for a lawn we recommend raking most of them out and filling with topsoil before seeding.
The roots that are left underground slowly decay over the years. You may see a little settling where the larger roots were, which a bit of extra topsoil fixes.
Sources: HomeAdvisor on stump grinding.
Utilities and safety first
A grinder works below the surface, so we check for buried lines before we grind. In Tennessee, the law requires at least three working days notice to Tennessee 811 before digging, and homeowners are covered by it too. A locate ticket is good for 15 calendar days. Mississippi and Arkansas have their own 811 centers for our jobs across the state lines.
We also look for things 811 does not mark, like sprinkler lines, landscape lighting, and private gas lines to grills or pool heaters. Point out anything you know about, and we work around it.
Sources: Tennessee 811, Mississippi 811, Arkansas 811.
What does stump grinding cost?
Price mostly comes down to how wide the stump is, how many you have, and how easy they are to reach.
HomeAdvisor reports an average of about $250 per stump nationally, with most jobs between $120 and $500. Many companies price by width, around $2 to $5 per inch, with a minimum charge of $100 to $150. Angi lists $100 to $150 for a first stump.
Several stumps on one visit cost less each, because the setup is the same. Stumps behind a narrow gate, on a slope, or tangled in roots near a foundation take longer. Send a few photos with something for scale, like a shoe or tape measure, and we can usually give you a price fast.
Sources: HomeAdvisor stump grinding cost, Angi tree removal cost guide.
What moves the price
- Width at ground level, the biggest factor
- Number of stumps on the same visit
- Access through gates, slopes, and tight spots
- Surface roots you also want ground
- Chip haul off if you do not want them left
How a stump job goes
Most single stumps take well under an hour once we are set up.
- Quote from photos or a visitSend photos or we stop by. You get a price per stump.
- Locate utilitiesWe confirm 811 marks and ask about sprinklers and lighting.
- Grind below gradeThe grinder sweeps back and forth until the stump and surface roots are below ground.
- Chips your wayWe leave the chips to fill the hole or rake and haul them off.
Stump grinding questions
How much does stump grinding cost in Memphis?
National guides put most stump grinding between about $120 and $500, with an average near $250. Width, the number of stumps, and access set the price. Several stumps on one visit cost less each.
How deep do you grind?
Usually 6 to 12 inches below ground, which is enough for grass or sod. We can go deeper if you want to plant in the same spot.
Will the stump grow back?
A properly ground stump rarely regrows. Species that sprout strongly from roots, like sweetgum, may put up a few shoots for a season. Cutting or mowing them a few times usually ends it.
Do old stumps attract termites?
Rotting wood is food for termites. UT Extension advises removing stumps and roots from building sites and not burying wood in backfill. Grinding takes away most of that food source.
Do I need to call 811 for stump grinding?
Tennessee law requires notice before digging, and grinding goes below the surface. We make sure lines are located before we grind.
What do you do with the wood chips?
Your choice. We can leave them as mulch or to fill the hole, or haul them away.
Can your grinder get into my backyard?
In most cases, yes. Our grinder fits through most standard gates. If access is very tight, tell us the gate width when you call.
Ready to lose that stump?
Send photos for the fastest price.