Stump grinding or stump removal? What changes the price

Two different jobs

Grinding chews the stump down below the soil surface and leaves the roots in the ground. Removal digs out the stump and its main roots, which leaves a hole to fill. Most yards only need grinding. Removal makes sense when you plan to build, pour concrete or replant in the same spot.

A stump is more than what you see. University of Georgia forestry professor Kim D. Coder describes it as the stem base, root collar and structural roots, which taper down to 1 to 5 inches thick within about 3 to 8 feet of the trunk.

What drives the price

• Diameter. Coder found stump diameter explains about 75% of the variation in how hard a stump is to extract, and grinding is usually priced by diameter for the same reason.
• Wood type. Hardwoods take longer; decay-resistant species stay tough for years.
• Age. An old, partly rotted stump is easier than a fresh one.
• Access. A grinder needs a path through the gate; steep or fenced spots take longer.
• Cleanup. Hauling away the grindings, or backfilling a removal hole with soil, is extra work.
• Number of stumps. The first one carries the setup cost; each extra stump on the same visit costs less.

National price ranges

Angi's national figures, updated October 2026, put the average stump grinding job at about $250, with most people paying $120 to $400. Angi lists $2 to $5 per diameter inch with a common $100 minimum, about $100 to $150 for the first stump and $40 to $75 for each additional one, and $50 to $200 for debris haul-away. These are national averages, not Huntsville prices. We give a written price after seeing the stump.

Call 811 before either job

Grinding goes below ground and removal digs, so utility lines matter. Alabama 811 asks for a request online or by calling 811 (or 800-292-8525) at least two full working days before digging, not counting the day you call. It does not mark private lines such as irrigation, pet fences, septic or propane lines, and marks do not show depth. Wait until every utility has responded before work starts.

If you leave it

Live stumps of some species sprout. Coder says stump sprouts should be killed before they reach full leaf expansion. A dead stump rots on its own, slowly: Coder estimates natural decay removes about a third of its remaining strength each year, or about 80% in four years, and decay-resistant wood takes closer to seven. As the remaining roots rot, the soil above them can settle, so expect to top up low spots after either job. Coder also notes that simply putting the grindings back into a removal hole is usually not recommended.

Related

• Tree Removal
• Tree Trimming & Pruning
• Stump Grinding
• Emergency Tree Service
• Storm Damage Tree Cleanup
• Lot & Brush Clearing

Sources: Alabama 811, Before you dig · Alabama 811, How 811 works · Kim D. Coder, University of Georgia Warnell School, Tree Stump Removal in Landscapes (PDF) · Angi, How much does stump grinding cost? (national figures) · checked 2026-11-01