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Stump Grinding Cost & Removal Guide
Typical stump grinding costs
Job
Typical range
Most common
Small stump
Under 12 in — ornamentals, fruit trees
$150 – $250
$200
Medium stump
12–24 in — most yard maples, pines
$150 – $375
$250
Large stump
24–36 in — mature oaks, big pines
$350 – $925
$600
Very large stump
36 in+ — the biggest yard trees
$700 – $1,875
$1,225
Bands, not quotes — generated by the same engine that prices live estimates, so they move with the market. Your stump gets its own number below.
How stump grinding is priced
Pros price stumps one of three ways — per stump, per inch of diameter (measured at the widest point, including surface roots), or an hourly rate for lots with many stumps:
Per stump: see the live bands above — generated by the same engine that prices real estimates
Per inch: $2–$5 per inch of diameter, often with a $100–$150 minimum call-out
Multiple stumps: the first stump carries the travel cost — additional stumps are usually much cheaper each
Grinding vs. full stump removal
Grinding chews the stump 4–12 inches below grade and leaves the roots to decay naturally — it is cheaper, faster, and fine for lawns and most replanting. Full removal digs out the root ball entirely, costs several times more, and is mainly needed when you are building over the spot or replanting a tree in the exact same hole.
Is DIY worth it?
Rental-yard stump grinders run roughly $200–$400 per day plus a truck to tow them. For one or two average stumps, hiring a pro is usually the same money with none of the risk — rental units are also much less powerful than commercial grinders, so large hardwood stumps can take hours. DIY starts making sense at three or more small-to-medium stumps you can do in one rental day.
Get stump grinding bids from local pros
Post your stump (a photo helps) and nearby tree services will bid on it — usually within a day.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to grind a large stump?
Size is the whole game: a 24–36 inch stump lands in the large-stump band in the table above, and very large stumps with extensive surface roots can run well past $1,000. The bands are generated by the same engine that prices live estimates, so they move when it does.
What happens to the roots after grinding?
They stay in the ground and decay naturally over 5–10 years. This is harmless for lawns, but if you need the roots gone (for construction or replanting in place), ask about full removal.
Can I plant grass where a stump was ground?
Yes. Remove the wood-chip mulch from the hole, backfill with topsoil, and seed. Chips left in the hole tie up nitrogen as they decay and leave a sunken, yellow patch.
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