Why remove a stump?
- Pests: decaying wood can attract termites and wood-boring insects.
- Regrowth: laurel oak, sweetgum, and Chinese tallow commonly sprout from stumps and roots.
- Mowing and safety: low stumps hide in grass.
- Using the space: sod, planting beds, patios, and sheds need a clear spot.
Size: how stumps are usually measured
Most crews measure the stump's diameter across the widest part at ground level, including the root flare, and price by the inch, with a minimum charge per visit. As a rough guide to how jobs are described:
| Stump | Typical example | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under ~12") | Crape myrtle, young pine, wax myrtle | Quick. The trip minimum often matters more than the size. |
| Medium (~12"–24") | Mature pine, sweetgum, magnolia | The most common residential job. |
| Large (24"+) | Old laurel oak or live oak with big buttress roots | Much more grinding time. Surface roots may be quoted separately. |
Several stumps in one visit usually cost less per stump than separate trips. Ask for the price per stump and the total.
Depth options
- Standard (about 4–6" below grade): enough to cover with soil and grass seed or sod.
- Deeper (about 8–12"+): for planting beds, pavers, or a new tree nearby. Expect to pay more.
- Surface roots: say whether you want exposed roots running across the lawn ground too, or only the stump.
- Full removal (excavation): pulling the root ball, usually only for construction, pools, or utility work.
Cleanup: questions to ask
- Will the grindings be left in the hole, raked level, or hauled away? (Hauling usually costs extra.)
- Is backfill with topsoil included, or is that on you?
- How will they protect windows, cars, and siding from flying chips?
- Does the price include surface roots, or only the stump?
- Who calls Sunshine 811 (dial 811) before grinding near buried lines? In Florida, notice is required before digging. Private lines (irrigation, septic laterals, landscape lighting) aren't marked by 811, so flag those yourself.
Grindings are a fine mulch for beds but tie up nitrogen in the soil for a while, so plant new trees a few feet away from the old spot.
Lots of stumps are left behind after storm cleanup in Pace and Navarre, where pines were cut flush during debris removal. Once the debris passes are done, it's a good time to batch them.
Common questions
Will the county pick up my stump?
During declared-storm debris collection, Escambia County lists tree stumps as vegetative debris when placed on the right-of-way. Grinding a stump that's still in the ground is a private job.
Will the roots keep growing?
Most species die back after grinding. Aggressive sprouters may push up shoots for a season; cutting them back repeatedly usually finishes the job.
Get a free quote
Free for homeowners. Only your phone number is required. Your request is passed to independent local tree service provider(s), who contact you directly.