Tree services
Stump grinding chews a tree stump down below ground level with a machine, leaving wood chips and soil in place of the stump. It suits anyone who wants to mow, replant, build or just stop tripping over what a removed tree left behind.
A stump grinder has a spinning wheel fitted with cutting teeth. The operator sweeps it back and forth across the stump, taking the wood down a little with each pass until it is below grade. Surface roots that hump up the lawn can be chased out the same way. What remains is a mix of chips and soil that fills the hole. Roots farther out stay in the ground and break down over time. No excavation is involved, so the surrounding lawn stays mostly as it was.
We run two grinders. The large machine handles big stumps, rows of stumps and open sites quickly. The compact one fits through a standard gate, so fenced backyards, side yards and tight spots beside a shed are not a problem. Before grinding we ask about anything buried nearby, such as irrigation lines, lighting wire, invisible pet fence and septic parts. You do not need to have used us for the removal. We grind stumps left by other companies, by storms or by a homeowner's own saw. Estimates are free.
Local trees shape the job. White pine stumps are soft and grind fast, but they tend to be wide with long surface roots. Oak is dense and slow going. Norway maple and red maple spread shallow roots across lawns, and red maple and black locust send up sprouts from a stump left in place. Sandy soil is easy on the machine. Stony New England ground is not, and rocks packed against a stump have to be pulled out so they do not damage the teeth or get thrown.
Grinding day is short and noisy. Clear toys, furniture and pots from around the stump and keep pets and kids inside, since chips fly. When the machine is done you will see a mound of chips and soil where the stump was. It settles over the following weeks. You can leave it, rake it into beds as mulch, or ask us about hauling it away. For lawn, take out most of the chips, add loam and seed. Tell us at the estimate if you plan to replant or build there.
How it works
From first call to clean yard
01
Measure and quote
We look at the stumps, measure them, check gate width and access, and give you a free estimate.
02
Mark what is buried
You point out sprinklers, wires and septic parts. We plan the grind around anything underground near the stump.
03
Grind the stump
The operator works the wheel across the stump and the main surface roots until everything is below grade.
04
Rake and finish
Chips are raked into the hole or piled where you want them, and the area around the stump is left tidy.
Pricing
What affects the price
Stump diameter
Width at ground level, including the root flare, is the main measure. A wide stump takes more passes and more machine time than a narrow one.
Number of stumps
The trip and setup are the same for one stump or ten. Grinding several in a single visit usually brings the cost per stump down.
Wood type and age
Fresh oak and other dense hardwoods grind slowly. Pine and older, partly rotted stumps go faster. Species and condition both affect time on the machine.
Access to the stump
Open front yards suit the large grinder. Gated backyards, slopes and tight corners need the compact machine, which works well but takes longer on big stumps.
Depth and cleanup
Grinding deeper for replanting or construction, chasing surface roots and hauling away the chips all add time. Share your plans so the estimate matches the work.
Reviews
What customers say
The crew was hard working, friendly and efficient. By far the fairest price of anyone on the South Shore.
The tree service provided was exceptional. The team was out a few times to make sure they had the right equipment for the job. I barely knew they were here. Thank you!
Fantastic work. Fast, efficient, added some extra trees to the quote the day of for a reasonable price. All in all, would definitely use them again.
Questions
Stump Grinding FAQ
Stump grinding is priced by the job, mostly on the diameter of the stump at ground level, how many stumps there are and how easy they are to reach. It is priced separately from tree removal. Newcomb's gives free estimates, and having several stumps ground in one visit generally lowers the cost of each.
Deep enough that the stump is below grade and can be covered with soil and grass. If you plan to replant a tree in the same spot, pour a patio or set a fence post, tell us at the estimate. Those uses can call for a deeper or wider grind, and we will price the job for what you need.
In most cases, yes. Newcomb's has a compact stump grinder built to pass through a standard gate, so backyard stumps behind a fence can be ground without taking a panel down. Measure the gate opening and mention it when you call. For open areas and very large stumps we bring the bigger machine.
You have three options. Leave the chips in the hole and let them settle, spread them in planting beds or along a wood line as mulch, or have them hauled away. If you want grass there, remove most of the chips, fill with loam and seed. Chips left in a thick layer make poor soil for a lawn.
Grinding is the usual choice for yards. It is quick, needs no excavator and leaves the lawn largely intact. Full removal digs out the stump and main roots, leaves a large hole and is normally reserved for construction, land clearing or septic work where the roots have to go. We do both and can tell you which fits.
Related services
Stump Grinding near you
We cover every town within about 30 miles of Halifax.
Ready for a free estimate?
Call the office or send a photo of the tree. You get a written price before any work starts.