An old stump gets in the way of the mower, trips people up and draws termites and carpenter ants. Grinding takes it below the surface so you can reseed, plant or pave over the spot. Call (423) 275-4820 for a free estimate from a local Chattanooga-area crew.
Call (423) 275-4820 Get a free estimate
Grinding or full removal?
Stump grinding is what most people need. The grinder chews the stump into chips down to 6 to 12 inches below the ground. The roots stay in the soil and rot away over a few years. It’s quick, tidy and the cheaper option.
Full stump removal digs out the stump and the main root ball with an excavator. It leaves a big hole and costs a lot more. It’s worth it when a footing, slab or driveway is going right where the stump was.
What happens on the day
- Utility locates first. Before anyone grinds, buried lines need to be marked. That’s Tennessee 811 on the Tennessee side and Georgia 811 in Fort Oglethorpe, Ringgold and the rest of north Georgia. It’s free. Most crews request it, but confirm, because a grinder can cut shallow gas, power, fiber and irrigation lines.
- Grinding. A small walk-behind grinder fits through a 36-inch gate. Bigger stumps get a tow-behind or tracked machine.
- Cleanup. Your choice: the chips are raked back into the hole, spread as mulch, or hauled away.
Most stumps take 30 minutes to two hours.
What stump grinding costs around Chattanooga
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| First stump, depending on diameter | $150 to $400 |
| Each extra stump on the same visit | $50 to $150 |
| Hauling the chips away | $50 to $150 |
| Digging out the stump and root ball | Quoted per job, often $400 to $1,200 or more |
Booking the grinding on the same day as a tree removal usually costs less than bringing the grinder back later. Stumps on steep slopes or in tight backyards can cost more.
After the grinding
The spot will sink a little as the chips and roots break down. Top it up with soil over the next few months before you seed. Fresh wood chips pull nitrogen out of the soil as they rot, so mix in some topsoil or compost if you’re planting right away.
Stump questions
Will the stump grow back? Some trees, including tree of heaven, sweetgum and black locust, send up sprouts from the roots. Grinding usually puts an end to it. If sprouts appear, keep cutting them back and they’ll give up.
Can surface roots be ground out too? Yes. Ask for it on the estimate so it’s priced in.
My yard is on a slope. Is that a problem? Tracked grinders handle most slopes around Chattanooga. Very steep spots on the mountains may need a smaller machine and cost more.
Get a free estimate
Prefer to talk? Call (423) 275-4820.
Need a tree crew around Chattanooga?
Call (423) 275-4820 or send a few details. We’ll match you with an independent local crew for a free written estimate, usually the same day.