Most stumps cost $100 to $400 to grind. The price depends mostly on how wide the stump is.
Most tree services charge by the inch. The going rate for stump grinding in Bryan-College Station is about $3 to $5 per inch of stump diameter.
But there is a catch that confuses a lot of people. Almost every company has a minimum charge. So a small stump grinding costs more than the per-inch math suggests. More on that below.
Stump Grinding Cost by Size
We measure the stump across its widest point at ground level, not the cut surface on top. A stump that looks 12 inches wide on top is often 18 inches at the base where the roots flare out.
| Stump Diameter | Typical Cost |
| 6 inches | $100 to $150 (minimum charge applies) |
| 12 inches | $100 to $160 |
| 18 inches | $120 to $200 |
| 24 inches | $150 to $250 |
| 36 inches | $200 to $350 |
| 48 inches or more | $300 to $500+ |
Extra stumps are much cheaper. The first stump carries the cost of getting the machine to your property. After that, you are only paying for the grinding. Additional stumps usually run $40 to $75 each.
So if you have four stumps, grind them all in one visit. Four separate visits could cost you double.
Why a Small Stump Still Costs $100
This is the part most price guides skip.
Getting a stump grinder to your house takes real work. We load it, haul it, unload it, walk it to the stump, grind, then clean up and load it back. The grinding itself might take 20 minutes. The whole job takes a couple of hours.
That is why most companies set a minimum charge, usually around $100 to $150. It covers the trip.
The per-inch rate only tells you part of the story. A 10-inch stump at $4 an inch is $40 of grinding. You will still pay the minimum.
What this means for you: if you only have one small stump, call around and ask about the minimum. If you have several stumps, or a neighbor who also needs one done, you will get much better value.
What Makes the Price Go Up
Hard access. If we can drive the machine straight to the stump, the job is quick. If we have to go through a narrow gate, around a pool, or up a slope, it takes longer and sometimes needs a smaller machine.
Root flare. Some trees spread wide at the base. Post oaks and live oaks are common around here and both have big root flares. A stump that measures 20 inches at the cut can be 30 inches at the ground.
Rocky or sandy soil. Grinder teeth hit rocks and dull fast. Sandy soil does the same thing. Some parts of the Brazos Valley are harder on equipment than others.
How deep you need it. Standard grinding goes 4 to 6 inches below ground. That is enough for grass. If you want to plant a new tree in the same spot, or pour concrete, you need 12 inches or more. That costs extra.
Hauling the chips away. Grinding produces a surprising amount of wood chips. Leaving them on site is free. Hauling them off usually costs $50 to $200.
Grinding vs Full Stump Removal
These are two different jobs and people mix them up. Both of them happen after tree removal, not instead of it. Grinding only deals with the stump left behind once the tree is already down.
| Stump Grinding | Full Removal | |
| What happens | The stump is chipped down below ground level | The stump and root ball are dug out |
| Cost | $100 to $450 | $175 to $525 |
| What is left | Wood chips you can rake or fill | A large hole you have to fill |
| Yard damage | Minimal | Heavy equipment, torn up ground |
| Can you replant grass | Right away | After you fill the hole |
| Can you plant a new tree there | Only with deep grinding | Yes |
Grinding is the right choice for most people. It is cheaper, faster, and does not tear up your yard.
Full removal makes sense when you are putting in a foundation, a pool, or anything that needs the roots gone completely.
Should You Rent a Grinder Instead?
You can rent a stump grinder. Whether you should depends on the stump.
Rental runs $89 to $450 a day depending on machine size. Delivery adds $50 to $100, because these machines are too heavy to put in a truck bed.
Renting can make sense if you have one small stump, a trailer to haul it, and a free weekend.
Renting usually does not make sense because:
- A small rental machine takes hours on a stump a professional machine finishes in 20 minutes
- These machines are genuinely dangerous. The cutting wheel throws rocks and debris
- You still have to deal with the chips
- Once you add delivery and your own time, you often save very little
Do the math honestly. If renting costs $200 all in and a pro quotes $180, hire the pro.
What Happens to the Hole and the Chips
After grinding you are left with a pile of wood chips and soil sitting in a shallow dip.
Most people rake the chips into the hole, top it with soil, and seed grass over it. The chips break down over time and feed the soil. They also work fine as mulch around other beds.
Two things worth knowing:
The ground will settle. Wood chips compact as they break down. Expect the spot to sink a bit over the first year. Top it up with soil when it does.
Do not plant a new tree in the same hole unless the stump was ground deep. Leftover roots and chips make poor soil for a new tree. Wood chips also pull nitrogen out of the soil while they decompose, which young trees need. Tell us before we grind if you want a tree back in that spot, and we will take it down deeper.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to grind one stump?
Most stumps cost $100 to $400. The rate is roughly $3 to $5 per inch of diameter, but almost every company has a minimum charge around $100 to $150 to cover the trip.
Is it cheaper to grind multiple stumps at once?
Much cheaper. The first stump carries the cost of hauling the equipment out. Extra stumps usually cost $40 to $75 each. Always do them in one visit.
How deep does stump grinding go?
Standard grinding goes 4 to 6 inches below ground level. That is deep enough to plant grass and mow over it. If you want to plant a tree or pour concrete there, ask for 12 inches or deeper.
Is stump grinding cheaper than stump removal?
Yes. Grinding runs $100 to $450. Full removal, where the root ball is dug out, runs $175 to $525 and leaves a large hole to fill.
How long does stump grinding take?
Most single stumps take 20 minutes to an hour of actual grinding. Add setup and cleanup and the whole visit usually runs one to two hours.
Does stump grinding kill the roots?
Grinding removes the stump and the roots near it. The rest of the root system stays in the ground and decays over a few years. For most trees that is fine. A few species can send up shoots afterward, so ask if yours is one of them.
Will the stump grow back?
No, not from the ground stump itself. But some trees send up suckers from roots that are still alive. If that happens, cut them as they appear and they will stop.
Quick Summary
Stump grinding costs $100 to $400 for most stumps, or about $3 to $5 per inch of diameter.
Expect a minimum charge of $100 to $150 even on a small stump, because most of the job is getting the machine to your property. Extra stumps are much cheaper, so do them all at once.
Grinding is cheaper and gentler on your yard than full removal. Only go with full removal if you need the roots gone for construction or replanting.
We grind stumps across Bryan, College Station, Navasota, and Franklin. Free estimates, and we tell you the price before we start.
Call us or request a free estimate.
