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Stump grinding and removal

A stump left in the ground can rot, sprout or get in the way of new planting. Grinding it out is usually quicker and cleaner than digging.

A worker in a helmet with ear defenders operating a tracked stump grinder in a garden
Photo: Zack Masters on Unsplash

Firms that do stump grinding, by town

Services are as each firm describes them on its own website. 24/7 firms are listed first; the order isn't a ranking.

How stump grinding works

A stump grinder is a machine with a spinning cutting wheel that chews the stump down into chips, usually to somewhere between 150mm and 300mm below ground level (ask what depth is quoted). That leaves room to returf, replant or lay a path over the top. The chippings can be used to backfill the hole or taken away.

Many firms have narrow-access grinders that fit through a standard garden gate, so the stump can be removed even when the tree was in a back garden.

Grinding or full removal?

Grinding removes the visible stump and the main root plate near the surface. It doesn't take out every root. If you're building on the spot, laying foundations or putting in a pond, ask about full excavation instead. Some trees, including sycamore and willow, can send up shoots from the remaining roots, so a few firms also offer stump treatment.

Before you book

  • Mark any buried cables, pipes or drains near the stump. A good firm will ask.
  • Measure the narrowest point of access, such as a gate or side passage.
  • Say whether you want the chippings left or removed. If they're used to fill the hole, top it with soil before you returf, as fresh chippings take nitrogen from the soil as they rot.

Questions

How deep does a stump grinder go?

Most firms grind to between 150mm and 300mm below ground, which is enough for turf or new planting. Ask for more depth if you plan to build or dig over the spot.

Can a stump be ground out if access is tight?

Usually, yes. Many compact grinders fit through a standard garden gate, roughly 70–80cm wide, depending on the machine. Tell the firm the width of your narrowest access point when you ask for a quote.

Will the stump grow back after grinding?

Most won't. Some species, including sycamore, willow, poplar, cherry and plum, can send up shoots from the remaining roots. These can be cut back as they appear, or the stump can be treated.

What happens to the chippings?

They can be used to backfill the hole or as mulch, or taken away. If you plan to returf, top the hole with soil, as fresh chippings take nitrogen from the soil as they rot.

How to choose a tree surgeon

  • Insurance: ask to see a public liability certificate (the Arboricultural Association recommends at least £5m), and employers' liability, which is a legal requirement if they have staff.
  • Qualifications: chainsaw and climbing work should be done by people holding NPTC (City & Guilds) or Lantra certificates. Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor status is a stronger check.
  • A written quote: it should say exactly what will be cut, whether the stump is ground out, and whether waste and logs are taken away.
  • Standards: ask whether the work will follow BS 3998, the British Standard for tree work.
  • Protected trees: a good firm will check for a TPO or conservation area and can make the application. See our TPO guide.

Listings show what each firm says it offers. We don't check insurance or qualifications, so ask for proof before you hire. How we list firms.