How stump grinding works
A stump grinder is a heavy cutting wheel with tungsten teeth. It is swept across the stump and chews it into chips, working down until the stump is gone and the main roots are cut below the surface. It is faster, cheaper and far less destructive than digging a stump out with an excavator.
We usually grind 200 to 300mm below ground for turf and garden beds. If you are building or paving over the area, tell us and we will go deeper and chase the surface roots further out.
Machines for every access
Access decides which grinder we bring. Wylie Taylor, our stump grinding specialist, has more than 30 years on the machines and will match the grinder to your site.
- Narrow-access grinders that fit through standard side gates
- Self-propelled machines for most back gardens
- Large tracked grinders for big gum and cypress stumps
- Hand-held units for stumps against walls and fences
- Surface root grinding for lifted lawns and paths
Why you should remove a stump
Some species, such as poplars, willows and some prunus, shoot back from the roots for years. Stumps can harbour termites and fungi that move into nearby timber. They also make mowing and landscaping awkward. Our article why you should remove tree stumps goes through the reasons in more detail.
What happens to the grindings
Grinding a large stump produces a big pile of mixed wood chip and soil. We can backfill the hole with it, leave it as garden mulch, or remove it and leave a clean hole ready for topsoil. Tell us which you want when you book.
