Stump Grinding vs. Stump Removal: The Best Way to Get Rid of a Stump
By the crew at Framingham Tree Service. Updated October 2026.
Once a tree comes down, the stump is the part people stare at for years. There are five ways to deal with it. Some work well, some take forever, and one we tell people not to try. Here is how they compare.
1. Stump grinding
A grinder is a machine with a spinning wheel of carbide teeth. It chews the stump into chips, usually 6 to 10 inches below the soil. The deeper roots stay in the ground and rot slowly over the years.
- Fast. Most stumps take 15 minutes to an hour.
- Low impact. Our smaller grinders fit through a backyard gate and leave little lawn damage.
- Cheapest way to get the stump out of sight. Most single stumps around Framingham run $150 to $450. See our stump grinding cost guide.
For most yards, this is the right answer. You can seed grass or plant a garden bed over the spot.
2. Full stump removal with an excavator
Full removal means digging out the stump and the main root ball, usually with a mini excavator. It gets everything, but it leaves a large hole and a big root mass to haul away. It also tears up more of the yard.
It costs more than grinding, often several times as much. We recommend it when you plan to build an addition, pour a patio, put in a pool or regrade. It also makes sense when clearing a lot, where many stumps come out at once. See our land clearing page for that kind of work.
3. Chemical stump removers
Most stump remover products sold at hardware stores are potassium nitrate. You drill holes in the stump, pour in the granules and water, and wait. The product speeds up rot, but slowly. Expect months to a year, often longer for a big hardwood stump.
Even then, the stump does not vanish. You end up with soft, spongy wood that you still have to chop out with an axe and a mattock. It can work on a small stump if you are patient and do not mind doing the digging. On a large oak or maple stump, it rarely saves you anything.
4. Burning
We do not recommend it. A stump can smolder underground for days and spread along roots, and that can reach dry leaves, a fence or a shed. Open burning in Massachusetts is tightly limited, and burning a stump in a residential yard is generally not allowed. Check with your local fire department before you even think about it. Grinding is faster and safer.
5. Leaving it
This is a fair choice in some spots. A stump at the edge of the woods does no harm. Some people use one as a plant stand. Keep in mind that a stump will slowly rot and can attract carpenter ants and termites. Some trees, like maples and cherries, send up sprouts from the stump and roots for years. A stump in the middle of a lawn is also a tripping and mowing hazard.
Quick comparison
| Method | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grinding | Same day | Low | Most yards |
| Excavator removal | Same day, plus fill | High | Building or regrading |
| Chemical remover | Months to a year, plus chopping | Low cash, lots of labor | Small stumps, patient owners |
| Burning | Not recommended | Not recommended | Nobody |
| Leave it | None | Free | Wooded edges, out of the way spots |
Most of the time, grinding wins. If you are not sure, we will look at the stump and tell you honestly which way makes sense. Read about our stump grinding service, or request a free estimate.
Common Questions
- Do stump removers from the hardware store work?
- Slowly. Potassium nitrate products can take months to a year to soften a stump, and you still have to chop out the rotted wood. Grinding is done in an hour.
- Will a ground stump grow back?
- Most will not. Some trees, like maples and cherries, can send up a few sprouts from roots. Cut or mow them and they stop within a season or two.