Stump Grinding in Pensacola, FL

Why remove a stump?

After a tree comes down, the stump left behind can cause problems for years. Stumps get in the way of mowing and landscaping. They're a tripping hazard hidden in tall grass. As they rot, they attract termites, carpenter ants and wood-decay fungi, and in Pensacola's warm, humid climate that happens quickly. Subterranean termites are common across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, and a rotting stump a few feet from your slab is not something you want. Some species, including laurel oaks, sweetgums and many ornamental trees, also send up sprouts from the stump and roots for years after removal.

Grinding vs. full stump removal

There are two ways to deal with a stump:

• Stump grinding uses a machine with a spinning, carbide-toothed wheel to chew the stump into wood chips, typically down to 6 to 12 inches below the soil surface. The large roots beyond the grind area are left in the ground to decay naturally. This is what almost every homeowner needs, and it is fast, affordable and minimally disruptive.
• Full stump removal means excavating the stump and major roots. It leaves a large hole, disturbs a lot of soil and costs more. It's generally only needed where you plan to build a foundation, pour a slab or put in a pool.

For most yards, grinding is the right answer.

How stump grinding works

1. Locate utilities. Before any grinding, underground lines need to be marked. In Florida, that means a free locate request through Sunshine 811 (call 811 or submit online) at least two full business days before digging. Irrigation lines and low-voltage lighting aren't marked by 811, so let us know where they run.
2. Access. Compact grinders fit through a standard 36-inch gate, so backyard stumps are rarely a problem. Larger stumps in open areas may use a bigger machine for speed.
3. Grinding. The operator sweeps the cutting wheel back and forth across the stump, working down below grade and following surface roots outward as needed.
4. Cleanup. Grindings are raked back into the hole and mounded slightly, since they settle as they decompose. Excess grindings can be hauled away or left as mulch for beds.

After the stump is gone

Stump grindings are mostly wood, and as they break down they use up nitrogen in the soil. If you're planning to lay sod or plant in the same spot, it helps to remove most of the grindings, fill with topsoil and let the area settle for a few weeks. Expect the spot to sink a bit over the first year as buried roots decay; adding a little topsoil once or twice is normal. Replanting a new tree in exactly the same spot is usually not ideal; shifting a few feet away avoids the old root mass.

What affects stump grinding cost

• Diameter measured at ground level is the biggest factor. A 10-inch pine stump is a quick job; a 48-inch live oak stump with buttress roots takes much longer.
• Number of stumps. There's usually a minimum charge for the first stump, with additional stumps costing less each.
• Access and terrain such as tight gates, slopes, retaining walls or soft ground.
• Surface roots that need to be ground along with the stump.
• Debris haul-off if you don't want to keep the grindings.

Pine stumps are generally faster to grind than hardwood. Very old, partially rotted stumps can be quicker too, unless they hide rocks, concrete or old fence posts. Check the cost guide for typical price ranges in the Pensacola area.

Add it to your tree removal

The most cost-effective time to grind a stump is right after the tree comes down, while the crew and equipment are already there. If you're scheduling a tree removal, ask for stump grinding as a line item on the same estimate. We also grind old stumps on their own, including after storm cleanup when several trees were lost at once. Stump grinding is available throughout our service area, from Pensacola and Cantonment to Pace, Milton and Navarre.