Stump Grinding vs Stump Removal: Which Is Right for Your Yard?

The tree is gone, but the stump is still sitting there. Now you have a decision to make: stump grinding or full stump removal? They sound similar, but they are two very different processes with different costs, different timelines, and different outcomes for your yard. The right choice depends on what you plan to do with the space afterward.

Most Charlotte homeowners go with stump grinding, and for good reason. It is faster, cheaper, and less destructive to the surrounding yard. But there are situations where full removal is the better call. Here is a clear comparison to help you decide.

What Is Stump Grinding?

Stump grinding uses a machine with a rotating cutting wheel to chew the stump down below ground level. The wheel has carbide teeth that chew through the wood and turn it into a pile of wood chips and shavings.

A typical stump grinder is about the size of a large lawnmower, though commercial-grade machines can be much bigger. The operator positions the machine over the stump and works the cutting wheel back and forth, grinding the stump down 6 to 12 inches below the surface of the soil. Some companies will go deeper if you ask, usually for an additional charge.

What Happens to the Roots?

With stump grinding, the roots stay in the ground. Only the visible stump and the wood directly below it get ground up. The root system, which can spread 10 to 20 feet or more in every direction from a large tree, remains intact underground.

Over time, the remaining roots will decay naturally. How long that takes depends on the tree species, the size of the roots, and soil conditions. In Charlotte's warm, moist climate, root decay is faster than it would be in drier or colder regions. Most roots will break down noticeably within 5 to 10 years, with smaller roots decomposing much faster.

During that decay period, you may notice a few things:

• Slight ground settling. As the roots decompose, the soil above them may sink slightly. This is usually minor and can be fixed by adding topsoil.
• Mushroom growth. Fungi break down the dead root wood, and you may see mushrooms popping up in the yard along the root paths. This is normal and harmless.
• Sprouts. Some tree species, especially hardwoods like oaks and maples, can send up shoots from the remaining root system. Mowing over them regularly will kill them off within a season or two.

What You Are Left With

After grinding, you will have a hole roughly the diameter of the stump and about a foot deep, filled with a mix of wood chips and dirt. The tree service company can leave the chips in the hole (they will settle and decompose) or haul them away. Most homeowners fill the hole with topsoil, rake it level, and seed or sod over it. Within a few months, you would never know a stump was there.

For tips on using the leftover wood chips, see our article on what to do with mulch after tree removal.

What Is Full Stump Removal?

Full stump removal means pulling the entire stump and its major roots out of the ground. This is a much bigger operation. It usually involves heavy equipment: a backhoe, an excavator, or a skid steer with a root rake. The machine digs around the stump, cuts through the roots, and pulls the entire root ball out of the ground.

The result is a large hole in your yard, often 3 to 5 feet deep and several feet wider than the stump itself. That hole needs to be filled with clean fill dirt, compacted, and graded before you can plant anything or lay sod over it.

The Disruption Factor

Full stump removal is significantly more disruptive than grinding. The heavy equipment tears up the surrounding lawn, and the hole left behind is substantial. If the stump is in a finished landscape with flower beds, walkways, or irrigation lines nearby, full removal can damage all of it.

This is particularly relevant in Charlotte's clay soil. When you dig a large hole in clay soil and backfill it, the filled area often settles unevenly and drains differently than the surrounding ground. Getting it level and stable can take a couple of seasons of adding soil and letting it settle. More on Charlotte's clay soil below.

Cost Comparison in the Charlotte Area

Here is what each option typically costs for Charlotte homeowners:

Stump Grinding Costs

• Small stumps (under 12 inches diameter): $100 to $200
• Medium stumps (12 to 24 inches): $200 to $350
• Large stumps (24 to 36 inches): $300 to $500
• Very large stumps (36+ inches): $400 to $700+
• Multiple stumps: Most companies offer a per-stump discount when you have several. A yard with five or six stumps might cost $150 to $200 each instead of the individual price.

Many tree companies offer stump grinding as an add-on when you are having a tree removed. Bundling the two services can save 10 to 20 percent compared to scheduling them separately, since the crew and equipment are already on-site. For full tree removal pricing, see our Charlotte tree removal cost guide.

Full Stump Removal Costs

• Small stumps: $300 to $500
• Medium stumps: $500 to $1,000
• Large stumps: $800 to $1,500+
• Additional costs: Fill dirt ($30 to $50 per cubic yard), grading and topsoil ($200 to $500 depending on the area)

Full removal typically costs two to three times more than grinding for the same stump, plus you have the added expense of filling and restoring the area afterward.

How Charlotte's Clay Soil Factors In

Charlotte sits on the Carolina Piedmont, and the soil here is predominantly red clay. This matters for both stump grinding and stump removal, but it affects full removal more significantly.

Clay Soil and Stump Grinding

For grinding, the clay soil is a minor factor. The grinder cuts through the stump regardless of what type of soil surrounds it. The only consideration is that the wood chip and soil mix left behind does not drain as quickly in clay soil as it would in sandy soil. This means the area around the ground stump may stay damp longer after rain. If you are planting grass over the spot, you may want to mix in some compost or topsoil to improve drainage.

Clay Soil and Full Removal

Full removal in clay soil is where things get tricky. Clay is heavy, sticky, and difficult to work with when wet. After a rain, clay turns into a slippery mess that clings to everything. Digging a large root ball out of clay soil takes longer and is harder on equipment than doing the same job in sandy or loamy soil.

Once the stump is out, the hole fills with water after every rain because clay does not drain well. Backfilling the hole with clean fill dirt creates an area that drains differently than the surrounding clay, which can cause settling, puddling, and uneven ground for a year or more. In neighborhoods like Ballantyne, Weddington, and Indian Trail, where new construction has already disturbed a lot of clay soil, adding another large excavation to the yard compounds drainage issues.

This is one of the main reasons most Charlotte tree service companies recommend grinding over full removal for residential properties. The result is nearly as good, with far less disruption to your yard.

When to Choose Stump Grinding

Stump grinding is the right choice for most Charlotte homeowners. Go with grinding when:

• You want to plant grass over the spot. Grinding gets the stump below soil level, and grass will grow over it within a season.
• You want to keep the surrounding landscape intact. Grinding causes minimal disruption to the lawn, flower beds, and hardscaping around the stump.
• Budget is a factor. Grinding is significantly cheaper than full removal.
• The stump is close to structures or utilities. The compact size of a stump grinder means it can work in tight spaces near fences, driveways, and walkways without damaging them. An excavator cannot make that claim.
• You are not building anything on the spot. If you just want the stump gone so you can mow over it, grinding is all you need.

When to Choose Full Stump Removal

There are specific situations where full removal is worth the extra cost and disruption:

• You are building a structure on the spot. If you plan to pour a patio, build a shed, install a retaining wall, or add any kind of foundation where the stump is, you need the roots out. A ground stump 6 to 12 inches down with roots still in the ground is not a stable base for construction. The roots will eventually decay, and whatever is built on top of them will settle and crack.
• You are installing underground utilities. Irrigation lines, drainage pipes, or electrical conduit running through the root zone will be blocked by roots if you only grind. Full removal clears the path.
• The tree species is aggressive with root sprouts. Some trees, especially Chinaberry, Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus), and certain elms, will sprout aggressively from remaining roots after grinding. Full removal is the most reliable way to stop them from coming back. However, in most cases, regular mowing and an herbicide treatment on the stump face after grinding will control sprouts without needing full removal.
• Land clearing for new construction. If you are clearing a lot for a new home build in the Charlotte area, full root removal is typically required to prepare the building pad. This is standard practice on new construction sites in places like Davidson, Mooresville, and the Waxhaw corridor where wooded lots are being developed. For more on this process, see our guide to land clearing for new construction in Charlotte.

How Long Before the Ground Settles?

After stump grinding, you can expect some settling over the first year as the remaining wood chips decompose. Adding topsoil and tamping it down before planting grass will minimize this. Most homeowners need to add one round of additional topsoil six months to a year after grinding.

After full removal, settling takes longer because the hole is much larger. Plan on adding fill dirt two or three times over the first one to two years. In Charlotte's clay soil, this process is slower because the clay does not drain or compact as predictably as other soil types.

Can You Plant a New Tree Where the Old One Was?

You can plant a new tree near a ground stump, but not directly on top of it. The decomposing wood chips and remaining roots take nutrients from the soil (especially nitrogen) as they break down, and a new tree planted right in that spot will struggle. Plant the new tree at least 3 to 4 feet away from the stump location.

If you had full stump removal done and the hole was backfilled with clean fill dirt, you can plant closer to the original location. Just make sure the fill has settled and compacted adequately before planting. A newly planted tree in loose fill dirt will shift and settle along with the soil.

DIY Stump Removal: Is It Worth It?

You can rent a stump grinder from a Charlotte-area equipment rental shop for about $200 to $350 per day. If you have several stumps and some experience with heavy equipment, DIY grinding can save money. But be aware:

• Stump grinders are powerful, dangerous machines. Flying wood chips and rocks are a real hazard. Full protective gear (safety glasses, ear protection, heavy boots, gloves) is mandatory.
• The rental machine is usually smaller and less powerful than what a professional uses. A stump that takes a pro 30 minutes might take you two hours.
• You need a way to transport the grinder. Most require a trailer.
• If you hit a buried utility line (water, gas, electrical), you are responsible for the damage. Always call 811 before you dig in North Carolina.

For most homeowners, paying a professional $200 to $400 for a stump grind is a better deal than spending a full day fighting with a rental machine. The pros have the right equipment, the experience, and the liability insurance.

Which One Should You Choose?

For 90 percent of Charlotte homeowners, stump grinding is the right call. It is fast, affordable, less disruptive to your yard, and gets the job done for any situation where you just want the stump gone. The only time you need full removal is when you are building something on the spot or you need the root system completely out of the ground.

If you are not sure which option fits your situation, ask the tree service company when they come out for a quote. Any good crew will walk you through both options, explain the tradeoffs, and help you pick the right one for your yard and your budget.