Stump Grinding and Removal

Stump removal can take two forms: heavy equipment removal of the stump by unearthing it, or grinding it down below the surface of the ground.  Due to the rather significant disruption to the surrounding ground, most of our customer do not opt for complete removal of the stump; but they instead chose grinding. 

Stumping grinding is a dirty and messy job, but at Cleveland Tree Service we go the extra mile to clean as we go and commit to leave your property as we found it.  The process of stump grinding involves bringing one of our Morbark tracked stump grinders onto your property and position it where it will most effectively performs its job but also make minimal impact to your landscape. 

Some stumps are more difficult to remove than others.  Therefore we assess different techniques to be used to most efficiently remove your stump.  As an example, conifer tree stumps, such as White Pines and Cedars, are easier to remove than deciduous trees, as their roots tend to to be wide, flat and shallow.  On the other hand, deciduous tree roots, such as Oaks and Maples, run long and deep.  Size and age are also a factor in stump removal difficulty.  That is, the older a stump, the easier it is to remove.  And of course, smaller stumps are easier than larger ones. 

Stump Grinding Process

The process of stump grinding is essentially a four-step process:

1.   Using a shovel and rake, clear rocks away from the area to be grinded
2.  If not already done, use a chainsaw to cut away as much of the stump as possible, and get it as level to the ground as possible
3.  Position the stump grinder over the stump, approximately 3-6", and then lower it into the stump (approximately 3") moving the grinder from side to side
4.   Once the the stump is ground to about 4", move the grinder forward, repeating the process until the entire stump is 3-6" below the ground.  
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This grinding process can, and often does, damage the surround ground around the stump; and the chips from the grinding are spread around the area as well.  Cleveland Tree will rack up as much of the wood chips as possible and repair any damaged lawn around the removed stump.  Further, we can, if desired, -re-seed with grass to complete cover up any evidence a tree and stump was ever there. ​​