Stump Grinding & Stump Removal in Tallahassee
Old stumps from past removals, storm-snapped trunks, or the stump your last tree crew left behind. How grinding works, what it costs, and what to expect afterwards.
Free, no-obligation estimate from a local tree service.
Grinding vs. removal
Two ways to get rid of a stump
Stump grinding
A stump grinder is a machine with a spinning cutting wheel that chews the stump down into wood chips, typically several inches below the soil surface. The large roots beyond the stump stay in the ground and break down over time. Grinding is the most common choice for lawns and garden beds because it’s quick and leaves a fairly small disturbance.
Full stump removal
Removal means digging out or pulling the stump and the main roots, usually with heavy equipment. It leaves a large hole and costs more, but it’s sometimes needed if you’re building a patio, pouring a slab, or putting in a new driveway exactly where the tree stood.
Tip: If you’re planning to replant in the same spot, tell the crew. A new tree usually does better shifted a few feet away from the old root mass.
What to have ready
- Roughly how wide each stump is at ground level
- How many stumps, and where
- Gate width, if the stump is in a fenced yard
- Whether you want the chips hauled off or left as mulch
- Any irrigation lines, cables or pipes nearby
Pricing
How stump grinding is priced
Most stump grinding is priced by the diameter of the stump, measured across the widest point at ground level. Angi’s national figures put it at about $2–$5 per diameter inch, usually with a minimum charge of about $100, for an average of about $250 per job. LawnStarter’s Tallahassee data put local stump grinding at about $283.
Prices go up for very large stumps, hardwood like live oak, stumps with exposed surface roots that also need grinding, and stumps in places the grinder can’t easily reach. They often go down per stump when you have several done on the same visit.
Sources: Angi, stump grinding cost; LawnStarter, Tallahassee. Figures checked October 2026.
| Stump diameter | Rough range at $2–$5/inch |
|---|---|
| 12 inches | minimum charge often applies (about $100) |
| 24 inches | about $48–$120, or the minimum |
| 36 inches | about $72–$180 |
| 48 inches | about $96–$240 |
Simple arithmetic from the national per-inch range, for illustration only. Local crews may price differently, add trip charges or price by the job.
Before and after
What to expect on grinding day
Mark what’s underground
Florida law requires notifying Sunshine 811 (call 811) before excavating so buried utilities can be marked. Ask the crew whether that applies to your stump and who makes the call, and mark your own irrigation lines and landscape lighting cables.
The grind
The machine works back and forth across the stump. It throws chips and debris, so keep people, pets and cars well back. A typical residential stump takes from a few minutes to under an hour.
Chips and the hole
You’ll be left with a mound of chips mixed with soil. You can use them as mulch, have them hauled away, or have the hole back-filled with topsoil for sod or seed. Expect some settling as buried roots decay.
Questions
Stump grinding FAQ
Will the stump grow back?
Can I just leave the stump?
Is stump grinding included in tree removal?
How deep do you grind?
Can you grind a stump near my house or fence?
What about all the surface roots?
Get a stump grinding quote
Tell us how many stumps, roughly how wide they are, and where they are on the property.