Stump Grinding and Stump Removal in Framingham

An old stump gets in the way of the mower, sends up suckers, and draws carpenter ants. Grinding it out is quick. Most single stumps take under an hour, and you can seed the spot the same week.

How we do it

We use a grinder sized to the job. A compact machine fits through a 36-inch gate for backyard stumps, and a larger one handles big oak and pine stumps out front. We grind the stump down six to ten inches below the surface, deeper if you plan to plant a new tree nearby or lay a patio. Surface roots running out from the stump get chased out a few feet as well.

Before we start, we mark out any sprinkler heads, invisible dog fence, or low-voltage lighting wires you tell us about. Gas, electric and water lines are marked through Dig Safe when the job calls for it.

What happens to the grindings

A stump turns into a pile of wood chips and soil a lot bigger than you would expect. You have two options. We can leave the grindings in the hole as fill, which is the most common choice for spots going back to lawn. Or we rake them out and haul them away, then you top the hole with loam and seed. Chips left in the hole settle over a season, so plan to add a little loam in the spring.

Stumps we see most in Framingham

White pine stumps are common here, and they are sticky with pitch but grind fast. Oak and maple stumps are harder and wider at the base. Some old stumps in the older neighborhoods around Framingham Centre and Coburnville date back decades and have rotted out in the middle, which can hide rocks and old debris. We go slow on those.

Norway maples and some other trees send up sprouts from the roots after the tree comes down. Grinding the stump stops most of that. Any sprouts that do appear later can be mowed off and will give up within a season or two.

Pricing

Stump grinding is priced by stump diameter and access. If we are taking the tree down, adding the stump grinding to the same visit saves you a second trip charge. We also grind stumps left by other companies or from trees cut years ago. See our cost guide for typical ranges, or call for a firm number.

Common Questions

How deep do you grind stumps?

Six to ten inches below the surface for lawn areas. We can go deeper for patios, plantings or new construction if you let us know ahead of time.

Will grinding kill the roots?

Grinding removes the stump and the root crown, which kills most trees. The roots left in the ground rot away over the next several years. A few species sprout from roots for a season or two.

Can your grinder fit through my gate?

Our smaller grinder fits through a standard 36-inch gate. Let us know the gate width when you call and we will bring the right machine.

Do you grind stumps from trees someone else cut?

Yes. Old stumps, stumps from other companies and stumps from trees you cut yourself are all fine.