Stump Grinding: What to Expect and Why It Matters

Why Stump Grinding Matters

You had a tree removed, and now you're staring at an ugly stump in your yard. It's in the way of your mower, it's slowly rotting, and you're pretty sure something is living inside it. Welcome to one of the most common follow-up calls we get from Charlotte homeowners.

What Exactly Is Stump Grinding?

Stump grinding uses a machine with a rotating carbide-tipped wheel to chew the stump down below ground level — typically 6 to 12 inches deep. It's not the same as stump removal, which involves digging out the entire root ball. Grinding is faster, less destructive to your yard, and more affordable.

Why You Should Grind Your Stumps

• Termites and Pests: Rotting stumps attract termites, carpenter ants, and other wood-boring insects. In Charlotte's warm climate, a decaying stump is basically a pest hotel — and those pests can migrate to your house. It's one reason our stump grinding service stays busy year-round.
• Tripping Hazards: Stumps and their surface roots are a liability, especially if you have kids running around the yard or you're mowing around them every week.
• New Growth: Many species will sprout new shoots from the stump. You can cut them back over and over, or you can grind the stump and be done with it.
• Property Value: A clean yard without stumps looks better and is worth more. If you're thinking about selling, old stumps are an easy negative for buyers to notice.

What to Expect During the Process

Most residential stumps take 30 to 60 minutes to grind. Our crew will clear any rocks or debris from around the stump, position the grinder, and work the stump down below grade. The grinding produces a pile of wood chips that we use to fill the hole. We rake the area clean and spread or haul away any extra chips.

After Grinding: What's Next?

The area where the stump was will settle over the next few weeks as the chips decompose. You can plant grass seed or lay sod over the spot. If you want to plant a new tree in the same location, we recommend waiting a season and amending the soil, since the decomposing wood chips temporarily change the soil chemistry. Not sure what to plant? Our guide on choosing the right tree for your Charlotte yard can help.

Get That Stump Gone

Call Orlando Tree at (704) 749-0642 for a free stump grinding estimate. We handle stumps of any size, and most jobs are done in a single visit.