Grinding or full removal?
Grinding is what most people need. A machine with a spinning cutter wheel chews the stump into chips down to below soil level. The roots stay in the ground and rot away over time. It’s quick, and it leaves the rest of the yard alone.
Full removal means digging out the stump and its main roots. It leaves a much larger hole and costs more in labor, so it’s usually reserved for spots where you’re pouring a footing or building.
How deep should it go?
A standard grind takes the stump a few inches below ground level, which is enough to cover with soil and sod. If you plan to replant in the same spot or pour concrete, ask for a deeper grind and for the surface roots to be chased out. Tell the tree service what you intend to do with the area and they’ll quote the right depth.
What you’re left with
Grinding produces a pile of wood chips mixed with soil, often more than people expect. You can use it as mulch elsewhere in the yard or have it hauled away, which may be an extra line on the quote. Fill the hole with topsoil and mound it slightly, because the remaining chips settle as they break down.
Before the grinder arrives
- Call 811. The free utility-marking service flags buried public lines. Call a few working days ahead.
- Mark your own lines. Sprinkler pipes, drip lines and landscape lighting are private and won’t be marked by 811. Point them out to the crew.
- Check the access. Smaller grinders fit through a standard backyard gate. Mention the gate width, steps or slopes in your request.
- Clear the area. Move rocks, pavers and edging from around the stump. They wreck cutter teeth.
What it costs
Stump grinding is usually priced by the stump’s diameter at ground level, root flare included. A 2026 Bakersfield cost guide gives about $2 to $3 per inch, with a minimum charge, and $60 to $350 for most single stumps. Several stumps done in one visit normally cost less each. See the cost guide for the full picture.
Common questions
Will the tree grow back after grinding?
Usually not. A few species send up shoots from leftover roots for a season or two. Cutting them off as they appear normally exhausts the roots.
Can I plant a new tree in the same spot?
It’s better to plant a few feet to the side. Old roots and wood chips in the hole make poor planting soil. If it has to be the same spot, ask for a deep grind and have the chips replaced with fresh soil.
Can an old stump be ground?
Yes. A stump from a tree removed years ago can be ground the same way, and partly rotted wood often grinds faster.
How long does it take?
An average stump is often done in under an hour. Large stumps and long surface roots take longer.