Low risk
Most conifers, including leylandii and pine, don't regrow once the stump is ground out.
Stump removal and stump grinding
A stump left in the garden is a trip hazard, gets in the way of new lawn or paving, and can send up shoots for years. We grind it out below ground level with a tracked grinder narrow enough for most side gates.
Next free quote visits, live from our diary
Free visits Monday to Thursday and Saturdays.
- 5.0 on Google, 50+ reviews
- NPTC, City & Guilds & Lantra
- £5M insured
Stump grinding in short
Stump grinding removes a tree stump by cutting it into chippings with a spinning toothed disc, down below the surface of the ground. It is quicker, cleaner and far less disruptive than digging a stump out. We use a tracked grinder that passes through a standard garden side gate, then backfill the hole with the chippings or take them away.
- Depth
- Usually 150 to 300 mm below the surface, deeper on request
- Access
- Fits most side gates, from about 700 mm wide
- How long
- Most garden stumps take under an hour or two
- Mess
- Chippings stay close to the stump. Backfilled or removed, as you prefer
- Price
- Mid-range, fixed written quote after a free visit
How stump grinding works
No digging, no winching and no hole left behind.
The grinder sits over the stump and its carbide-tipped wheel sweeps from side to side, taking off a few centimetres at a time. We work down through the stump and the surface roots around it until it is below ground level.
Our grinder runs on rubber tracks, which spread its weight. That means far less damage to lawns than a wheeled machine, even in a wet Dorset winter. Before we start we check for any pipes or cables that might run near the stump.
When the stump is gone, the chippings go back into the hole and are raked level, ready for turf or topsoil. If you are planting or paving, we take them away instead.
Will the stump grow back?
It depends on the species. Grinding takes out the stump and surface roots, but some trees try to sprout from the roots left in the ground.
Some risk
Oak, beech and ash rarely come back after grinding, but a few shoots can appear in the first year. Pull or cut them as they show.
High risk
Sycamore, willow, poplar, cherry, birch and elder can regrow from side roots. We tell you on the visit if your stump needs treating as well as grinding.
From quote to clear ground
- 1
Free site visit
We measure the stump, check the access route for the grinder and look for any pipes or cables nearby.
- 2
Fixed quote
One price, with the depth and what happens to the chippings agreed up front.
- 3
Grinding day
The grinder comes in on its tracks, grinds the stump below the surface and takes out the main surface roots.
- 4
Tidy finish
The hole is backfilled and raked level, or the chippings are removed. Paths and lawn are swept.
What does stump grinding cost?
Stumps are priced on a free visit. Add it to a tree removal and it is usually done the same day.
Clearcut
Cheapest quoteDearest quote
We are mid-range on price, and the written quote is the price you pay. Several stumps on one site cost less each than one on its own.
What affects the price
- The width of the stump and how far the roots spread
- The species: hardwoods like oak take longer than conifers
- The access route for the grinder
- How deep you need it ground
- Whether you want the chippings taken away
Stump removal questions
Anything not covered here? Ask us and we'll give you a straight answer.
How deep do you grind a stump?
Usually 150 to 300 mm below the surface, which is deep enough for turf and most planting. We can go deeper for paving, building or replanting a tree in the same spot.
Will the grinder fit through my side gate?
Most likely. Our tracked grinder passes through gates from about 700 mm wide. We measure the route on the free visit.
Is stump grinding better than digging the stump out?
For almost every garden, yes. Grinding is faster, leaves no large hole and doesn't disturb the soil around patios, walls and foundations the way digging does.
What happens to the roots?
The stump and the surface roots around it are ground out. Deeper roots are left to rot down naturally in the soil, which is normal and harmless.
Will the stump grow back?
Conifers won't. Some broadleaves, such as sycamore, willow, poplar and cherry, can send up shoots from the roots. We tell you on the visit if treatment is worth adding.
Can you remove a stump left by someone else?
Yes. We grind out stumps from trees felled by anyone, including old stumps that have been there for years.
Do you cover my area?
We grind stumps across all of Dorset, all of Hampshire and parts of Wiltshire, including Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.
Do we cover you?
Based in Ferndown, covering all of Dorset, all of Hampshire and parts of Wiltshire.
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Five stars, every time
What customers across Dorset and Hampshire say after the job is done.
5.0
50+ Google reviews
Tree down? Call now.
Storm damage, fallen trees and dangerous limbs. Fast response across Dorset and Hampshire, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Book your free quote visit
Choose the job, pick a time from our live diary and tell us where. No payment and no obligation.
- You pick a timeOnline, in about a minute. Visits run Monday to Thursday and Saturdays.
- We visit and look properlyA qualified arborist checks the trees, the access and whether any consent is needed.
- You get a written quoteA clear, fixed price with no hidden costs. The price quoted is the price you pay.
- NPTC
- City & Guilds
- Lantra
- £5M insured
- BS3998
Want to ask something first? Send us a message and we reply within 24 hours.
Contact usTree down or dangerous? Call 01202 022560, 24 hours a day.
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