✓ UK & US plant hire directory
✓ Free listings available
✓ Online booking via Rental Desk Pro
Browse
Available now
How it works
Most stump removal companies grind stumps, but some jobs need the whole stump dug out. For bigger clearance work you can also hire a mini digger.
The most common method. A stump grinder's spinning cutter wheel chips the stump away to below ground level, leaving the main roots to rot naturally. It is quick, tidy and leaves the area ready for turf or planting.
The stump and main roots are dug out, usually with a mini digger or winch. Best when you are building, laying a patio or need the ground fully cleared, but it leaves a larger hole and more waste.
A stump killer stops regrowth so the stump slowly rots over months or years. Cheap but slow, so it suits stumps you can leave in place. Always follow the product label.
Getting a quote
Every job is priced on site or from photos. These are the things contractors look at.
The diameter at ground level is the biggest factor. Larger stumps take longer to grind and produce more chippings.
Several stumps on one visit usually cost less per stump than booking them separately.
Narrow gates, steps and slopes can limit which grinder fits. Measure your narrowest access point before asking for a quote.
Surface roots and the depth you need (for example for new planting or paving) add time to the job.
Ask whether taking away the chippings and backfilling the hole with topsoil is included.
Cables, pipes or drains near the stump mean extra care. Tell the contractor about anything you know is buried nearby.
FAQs
Most contractors grind to roughly 15–30 cm (6–12 inches) below ground, which is enough for turf. Ask for deeper grinding if you plan to plant or build there.
Grinding removes the stump below ground, so most species do not regrow. Vigorous species such as willow or sycamore may send up shoots from the roots, which can be cut back or treated.
Chippings can be left to backfill the hole, spread as mulch, or taken away. Check which is included in your quote.
Compact stump grinders are built to fit through standard garden gates. Measure your narrowest access point and tell the contractor when you ask for a quote.
Removing a stump is not usually restricted, but felling a tree may need consent if it has a Tree Preservation Order or stands in a conservation area. Check with your local council if you are unsure.
Offer stump removal? List your business free and get enquiries from customers in your area.