Stump Grinding in Asheboro, NC
Stock photo. It does not show our crew or equipment.
A stump left in the yard is more than an eyesore. It is a trip hazard, especially in tall grass where you cannot see it. It grabs mower blades and string trimmers. As it rots, it can draw in insects like termites and carpenter ants. Many stumps also send up shoots, and the stump takes up the spot where you might want a new tree or garden bed.
A stump grinder has a spinning cutting wheel that shreds wood into chips. We work it across the stump and down through it, taking the stump and the top roots several inches below grade, typically 6 to 12 inches. The depth depends on the stump and the soil. The chips can stay as mulch or we can haul them off. Then the spot can be filled with topsoil and seeded or planted.
Most people who search for stump removal just want the stump gone so they can mow or plant. Grinding does that without digging a crater in your yard. Grinding is not the same as full stump and root removal. Removal means digging out the stump and the main roots, which tears up a lot more ground. Grinding leaves the roots that run deeper to break down slowly on their own. For most yards that works well. Some species can still sprout from leftover roots, and the filled spot may settle as wood decays, so you may need to top it off later. If you plan to build over the spot, full removal is what you need instead of grinding.
Underground utility lines need to be marked before we grind. Call 811, the free national number, at least three full working days ahead, and the utility companies will mark their lines. If you are not sure who places that call for your job, ask us when you book. The utility crews do not mark everything, so tell us about sprinkler lines, invisible pet fences, yard lighting wires and any other buried lines near the stump. We will work around them.
What's Included
- Grinding the stump and top roots several inches below ground level
- Leaving the wood chips as mulch, or hauling them off
- Stumps from trees we removed, and stumps already sitting in your yard
- A look at the spot and a free estimate before we start
- Tips on filling with topsoil and seeding or planting afterward
- Working around marked utilities, sprinklers and buried lines you point out
When to Call Us
- A stump keeps catching your mower or trimmer, or you keep tripping over it
- You want to plant a tree, shrub or lawn where the old tree stood
- The old stump is rotting, drawing insects, or sending up new shoots
- You are planning a patio, path or garden bed near an old stump
- A tree was removed and the stump is still there
Stump Grinding in Asheboro and Nearby Towns
We grind stumps in Asheboro, Randleman, Archdale, Trinity, Liberty and throughout Randolph County, plus the Triad and the rest of North Carolina and South Carolina. It does not matter who cut the tree down. If the stump is still in your yard, we can grind it. See all the areas we serve.
Stump Grinding Questions
How deep do you grind a stump?
Typically 6 to 12 inches below ground level, taking the top roots with it. The exact depth depends on the stump and the soil. That is deep enough to cover with topsoil and mow or seed over.
What happens to the wood chips?
You choose. The chips can stay as mulch, or we can haul them off. Many people use some to fill the hole and spread the rest around their beds.
Will you grind a stump from a tree someone else cut down?
Yes. It does not matter who cut the tree. If the stump is still in your yard, we can grind it.
Can I plant in the same spot afterward?
Grass, yes. Fill the hole with topsoil, let it settle, and seed it. For a new tree, it is usually easier to plant a little to one side, because the old roots are still breaking down underground.
Is stump grinding the same as stump removal?
No. Grinding chews the stump down below ground and leaves the deeper roots to rot away. Full removal digs out the stump and main roots, which tears up much more of the yard. Grinding is enough for most lawns and gardens. If you plan to build over the spot, ask us about full removal.
Do I need to call 811 before stump grinding?
Yes. Call 811, the free national number, at least three full working days before the work so utility lines get marked. Also tell us about sprinkler lines, invisible pet fences and yard lighting wires, since 811 does not mark those.
How much does stump grinding cost?
It depends on the stump's width, the kind of wood, how many stumps there are and how easy they are to reach. HomeGuide's national figures put the first stump at about $120 to $400 and each extra stump at $30 to $60, or $2 to $6 per inch of diameter, with minimum charges of $80 to $160. Those are national figures, not our prices. Your estimate is free, and you get the price in writing before we start.
Is stump grinding worth it?
If the stump is in your way, usually yes. A stump left alone can take years to rot, 3 to 10 years by HomeGuide's estimate. Meanwhile it catches mowers, trips people, can draw insects and may keep sending up shoots. Grinding clears the spot so you can mow, seed or plant nearby. If the stump sits at the edge of the woods where nothing needs to grow, leaving it to rot is a fair choice, and we will tell you so.
How long does it take to grind a stump?
It depends on the stump's size, how hard the wood is and how easy it is to reach. HomeGuide, a national cost guide, puts most stumps at 15 minutes to 3 hours of grinding. Small, young stumps go quickest, and big old hardwood stumps take the longest. Once we see your stumps, we will tell you what to expect for your job.