Whether a tree is knocked down by the wind or removed to make room for your landscaping project, you still need to deal with the stump. Landscapers and tree trimming companies generally leave the stumps behind after cutting down trees, and dealing with those stumps becomes your responsibility.

Tree stumps can be surprisingly difficult to remove due to their extensive root systems. They are also very heavy. Although do-it-yourself stump removal is always an option, many people find that a tree company that handles stump grinding is a better use of their resources. When deciding which option works best for you, it is a good idea to research both choices and go with the option that makes the most sense for your needs.

Do It Yourself Stump Grinding

Most people do not have the tools necessary for stump grinding or removal. You cannot simply cut the stump down to ground level and leave it there. Instead, you will need to destroy the stump and its root system, and then fill in the hole left by it. The machinery used to complete this task costs around $100 to rent for a half-day or up to $400 for a full day and you will need some safety gear like safety glasses and ear plugs in order to operate it. Stump grinding equipment should be respected as an aggressive, dangerous machinery.

The actual process of removing a stump is fairly straightforward. You first chop the stump down as low to the ground as possible with a chainsaw. You then drive the stump grinder over the stump in slow increments, allowing the grinder to chip away the stump and dig into the earth. When this process is finished, you will be rewarded with a pile of wood chips and a hole that must be filled.

Depending on the size of the stump and the number of stumps needing to be removed, the time this process will take can vary. The average for an amateur removal is approximately three hours per stump. If you have never used the stump grinding machine before it will most likely take you a while to become proficient with it.

Professional Stump Grinding Services

There are several benefits to having a professional remove your tree stumps for you. First, you do not need to spend time outside in the heat operating heavy machinery by yourself. This saves you time and effort, and it removes some of the risk from the project.

Because professional tree trimming and stump removal companies are trained in the machinery they use and have experience with the process, they are usually more efficient at stump removal than the average layperson.

Of course, the efficiency and talent of a professional comes at a price, and some homeowners may find that price to be quite steep. Pricing varies from one company to the next, but it is usually calculated based on several factors:

• The number of stumps to be removed
• The diameter of the stumps
• The age and condition of the stumps
• What type of tree it was
• The type of root system the stump has
• The soil conditions

In general, a single stump will cost around $150 for professional removal. Additional stumps will cost less, usually around $50 per stump depending on size. If the company charges by the hour, your rates will be different than if it charges by the diameter of the stumps being removed.

Depending on the number of stumps you plan to remove, renting the machinery and completing your own stump removal might not be the best bet. It will certainly be more cost-effective, but it may not be the most efficient use of your time. It is up to you to determine how much the project will cost overall and whether you are comfortable transporting and wrestling with the grinding equipment.