If you've ever tried to remove a tree stump, you'll know that there's a lot of blood, sweat and tears involved! And if haven't attempted this task, take our for it - it's not easy.
So, how do you get rid of that annoying stump that's making a nuisance of itself? Without a doubt, the quickest and most efficient way to remove a tree stump is with a stump grinder.
That's all very well, you might say, but how much does it cost?
As experts in the tree care industry, Tree Surgeon Pro can answer this question with our in-depth stump grinding cost guide! While we do offer other methods of stump removal, this blog is aimed at stump grinding. If you want more information on the other methods, please check out our general blog on tree stump removal costs.
Before we move on, let's take a minute to make sure everyone knows what we mean by 'stump grinding'.
This is a common method of stump removal, using powerful machines that have a sharp grinding wheel that shreds the stump and root system to wood chips and sawdust.
It's an impressive sight to behold! Solid timber is reduced to tiny pieces, sometimes within minutes if it's not very big.
A professional tree surgeon (like those at Tree Surgeon Pro) has a range of different-sized machines available to them, meaning that they can match the grinder to the job. This ensures that the stump is removed as quickly and efficiently as possible.
As well as machine size, they also differ in terms of power and the speed of the rotating wheel. While a faster wheel might speed up the job, many professionals prefer a more steady, controlled approach. The wheel flings out wood chips, stones and dirt, so barriers are erected while work is carried out. Anything shooting out of the hole at high speed could be a health and safety hazard if it somehow makes it past the screens!
The waste is then taken to a nearby recycling facility to be turned into mulch or compost, or - if the customer prefers - it can be left for their own use.
And there you have it - that's stump grinding, in a nutshell! Now let's see about those costs...
While the process is usually fairly straightforward, the costs depend on various factors that we'll look into here...
This one's pretty obvious - larger stumps will cost more than a small one, because of the extra time and effort required.
We also need to consider the height of the stump, as they can be cut off close to ground level or sometimes extend a couple of feet or more above the ground. This means there will be a larger bulk of timber to grind down, which adds to the time and effort.
The tree's roots can be included in the grinding process, although larger root systems can complicate the task and add to the overall cost. Root depth will also affect the time taken to complete the job, so this must be taken into account.
It's up to you whether you need the remaining roots shredded, but this depends on your plans for the site. Any lateral roots should die and eventually decay once severed from the main stump. Because of this, they are unlikely to sprout new growth, but it can't be guaranteed. The only way to do this is through complete removal.
Although trees are generally referred to as being softwood or hardwood, this doesn't necessarily mean the wood is actually soft or hard! These definitions are connected with the type of tree the wood comes from.
Even so, some trees - such as ash and oak - are much denser than others, including pine. The denser the wood, the harder the stump grinder has to work to shred it.
Because of this, the tree surgeon will need to know which tree species they are dealing with before providing a cost for tree stump grinding.
Where is the tree stump situated? If it's tucked away behind a garage or shed, close to a building, or in a tight space that's hard to reach, this adds to the difficulty of the project. Your tree surgeon may have to use special equipment and additional labour to get the job done.
We should also talk about access to the site, as some grinders are pretty big. While most professional tree surgery companies own a range of different-sized machines, they still need room to fit the necessary equipment on-site.
Most tree surgeons grind the stump to about 6 to 8 inches below ground level, but if you need this to go deeper - maybe for replanting, landscaping or construction purposes - it can add to the cost.
AT Tree Surgeon Pro, we generally go between 6 and 12 inches deep, but we can discuss the best depth for your project at the initial consultation.
Some companies charge separately for garden waste removal, while others include it in the price, so don't take this for granted!
We typically include it in the overall cost, except in cases where there is a large volume of debris involved.
If you have more than one stump that needs grinding, the cost will rise accordingly. However, you may get a discount for multiple stumps, although it depends on the company you use.
Feel free to have a chat with us about this and we'll be happy to discuss a reasonable rate!
As always, the experts involved will expect adequate compensation for their time and skills.
This cost varies depending on your location and the tree care company you choose, although the average labour cost across the UK is between £30 and £50 per hour. Most stump grinding jobs take between fifteen minutes and a few hours, so the longer it takes, the higher the costs.
Now we know some of the issues that might affect the total cost, it's time to check out some examples to give you an idea of what to expect.
The average cost of a single stump is usually somewhere between £50 and £200, depending on the size and other factors mentioned above. The price for larger stumps or more than one stump is typically between £300 and £500.
To explain this further, here's a breakdown of the other costs to see how they might influence the overall final price you pay:
Stumps in open or front garden areas are generally cheaper, as standard equipment can be used, whereas stumps in tight spaces or requiring special machinery may increase the cost by £20–£50 or more.
The standard depth of between 6 and 8 inches is often included in the base cost, but deeper grinding could add £20–£40, depending on the size of the stump and how much extra grinding is required.
If you have multiple stumps on-site, costs are usually reduced per stump. For example:
If you want the wood chips or debris cleared, this can add £30–£50, depending on the amount and disposal requirements. As we already said, make sure you check the agreement to see if this is included.
Again, remember all the costs here are average estimates, so feel free to contact us for a more accurate figure.
If you need a tree stump removed, grinding is the quickest and most cost-efficient method available at the moment. A professional tree care specialist will make sure that the entire stump is shredded so there's no chance of regrowth or problems with decay, fungus or disease.
While it's possible to remove stumps using chemicals or even by digging them out manually, these methods are no match for stump grinding!
At Tree Surgeon Pro, we firmly believe that a stump grinder is worth every penny as an effective and efficient method of stump removal.
Our best advice here, if you're considering doing this yourself, is this: DON'T.
Unless it's a very small tree stump, we strongly recommend that you hire a professional tree surgeon.
Although we understand that you want to save money, this is a thankless, difficult, time-consuming and (potentially) dangerous job. To begin with, you'll either need to hire a stump grinder or dig and chop the stump and root system manually. If you're not extremely careful, your actions can harm the surrounding landscape, damaging plants, other trees or underground pipes. There's also a real risk of injury when using axes, chainsaws or stump grinders.
And if you don't want all those wood chips, you'll need to deal with waste removal. You should never fill the stump hole with these, as this leads to nitrogen depletion, drawing essential nutrients from surrounding plants. The soil may also become more acidic, which can damage certain plant life. Instead, for the best outcome, the hole should be filled with fresh topsoil.
As trained and qualified tree surgeons with a wealth of experience, we provide professional tree work and garden maintenance services to customers in the private, industrial and commercial sectors.
From tree trimming/pruning to tree removal, and hedge trimming to lawn care, our experts can handle everything. They can also liaise with the local council and planning department and advise on legal matters relating to tree care, helping to avoid financial penalties. Not sure if your tree is covered by a Tree Preservation Order? We can find out and offer advice on what steps to take. Need a survey on a damaged or diseased tree? We can handle this as well!
So, when you need to remove a tree stump, or you want some help with anything tree-related, give us a call at Tree Surgeon Pro!
