If you have had a tree removed, the stump is usually the last thing left. Stump grinding grinds it below ground level so the area can be re-turfed, seeded or paved. Here is what it costs and what to expect.
Typical stump grinding costs in Durham
| Stump size | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small (up to 30cm across), e.g. apple or birch | £50 - £100 | Done in under an hour |
| Medium (30-60cm), e.g. most garden trees | £100 - £180 | Most common job |
| Large (60-90cm), e.g. mature sycamore or ash | £180 - £300 | May need the bigger machine |
| Extra large (90cm+) or multiple stumps | From £300 | Quoted per site |
Grinding several stumps in one visit works out cheaper per stump, because the machine is already on site.
What affects the price
- Diameter at the cut. This sets the machine size and the time.
- Roots and soil. Big surface roots add work. Rocky ground is harder on the machine.
- Access. A stump at the front of a garden next to a drive is quick. One at the bottom of a steep bank, carried to by hand, is slower.
- What happens to the grindings. We can spread them over the area or take them away. If we take them, it costs a little more.
After the grind
The stump is removed to below ground level, so the top of the hole can be filled with soil and re-turfed or seeded. A small depression is normal while the soil settles. There is no need to dig out the roots, and the surrounding lawn usually recovers within a season.
Stump grinding or stump removal?
- Grinding grinds the stump below surface level and leaves the ground usable. Cheaper, faster, and what most people want.
- Removal digs the whole stump and root ball out. Needed only if you are building on the exact spot, paving over it, or planting something new in the same place.
If you only need the ground flat enough to walk on or mow over, grinding is almost always the right call. For a fixed price on your stump, send us the details.