Stump Removal
Full stump grinding so you can reclaim your yard, stop regrowth, and move forward with landscaping plans.
The Job
More Than an Eyesore
A leftover stump is a mower hazard, a tripping risk, and often a magnet for regrowth, ants, and rot. Whether the tree came down in a storm or was removed years ago by someone else, we handle stump removal as a standalone service — you don't need to have used us for the original removal.
We use a mechanical stump grinder to chew the stump and root flare down below grade, typically 4 to 6 inches beneath the soil surface — deep enough to plant grass, lay pavers, or landscape right over the spot.
Signs You Need Stump Removal
The stump is a tripping hazard in a walkway, play area, or mowing path
You're planning a new patio, garden bed, or landscaping over the spot
The stump is rotting, attracting insects, or growing fungus
Our Process
How We Grind a Stump
Assess the Stump
We check diameter, root spread, and what's nearby to plan the grind safely.
Upfront Price
One flat quote per stump, confirmed before the grinder shows up.
Locate Utilities
For stumps near property lines, we confirm underground line locations first.
Grind Below Grade
The grinder chews through the stump and roots several inches below the surface.
Backfill or Mulch
We backfill with soil or leave the wood debris for mulch, your choice.
Final Cleanup
Debris hauled or bagged, and the area raked level and ready for landscaping.
We grind a lot of stumps left behind from ash trees lost to emerald ash borer, and from older silver maples and cottonwoods common in Zion's established neighborhoods. Lake County's clay-heavy soil holds moisture, which helps grinders cut cleanly but also means leftover stumps rot and attract carpenter ants faster than in drier soil.
Recent Stump & Tree Removal Work
Stump Removal FAQs
Stump grinding typically runs $100 to $400 per stump, depending on the diameter of the stump, root spread, and accessibility. Multiple stumps on the same visit often come with a lower per-stump rate. We give you an exact price after seeing the stump, not a phone-quote guess.
Stump grinding removes the stump and the main root flare down to several inches below grade, which is enough to landscape, plant grass, or lay pavers over the spot. It does not pull out the entire root system, which spreads too far to fully excavate without major yard disruption — but the remaining small roots die off naturally over time.
You can, though many arborists recommend planting a new tree a few feet away from the old root system, since old roots and soil conditions in that exact spot may make it harder for a new tree to establish. We're happy to talk through the best spot when we're on-site.
We can haul the ground-up wood debris away, or leave it on-site if you'd like to use it as mulch around garden beds. Just let us know your preference before we start.
Our grinders are sized to the job and we take care to protect surrounding turf, pavers, and pavement edges. There's typically a small disturbed area right around the stump itself, which we clean up and can level with topsoil before we leave.