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Professional arborist crew performing tree service in a Massachusetts residential yard

Stump Grinding

Professional Stump Grinding & Stump Removal

A stump is a trip hazard, a mower-blade killer, and a landing pad for carpenter ants and fungus. We grind it below grade so you can finally reclaim the space.

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General liability + workers' comp

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Quick Answer

How much does stump grinding cost in Massachusetts?

Stump grinding in Massachusetts typically costs $125–$450 per stump when bundled with tree removal on the same visit, or $200–$600 for a standalone grinding visit. Price depends on stump diameter, grinding depth (6 inches standard, 12 inches for replanting or paving), access for the grinder, and number of surface roots. Most residential stumps are ground below grade within 30–60 minutes using commercial-grade self-propelled or track-mounted grinders.

Bundled Range
$125 – $450
Standalone Range
$200 – $600
Standard Depth
6 in below grade
Replant Depth
12 in below grade
Time per Stump
30 – 60 min
Access Req'd
36+ in gate

After a tree comes down, the stump is what's left reminding you it used to be there. Stumps look bad, attract termites and carpenter ants, make mowing miserable, and block you from re-seeding, re-sodding, or planting anything new on the spot. Even worse — they can keep sending up suckers for years before they finally give up.

Stump grinding solves all of that cleanly. We bring a commercial-grade stump grinder to the site, grind the stump and major surface roots 6–12 inches below grade, and leave the spot ready for new turf, a garden bed, or a patio base. You get your yard back, with no ongoing ant colony, no mower risk, and no regrowth.

We grind stumps of every size — from a single ornamental that broke in a storm to a half-dozen stumps left behind by a builder clearing a lot. Our equipment ranges from a narrow-access self-propelled grinder (fits through 36-inch gates) to a larger track-mounted grinder for commercial jobs.

Stump grinding is most economical when bundled with tree removal on the same visit — you save the mobilization fee. But we also handle standalone stump work, including stumps you've had for years.

Definition

What is stump grinding?

stump grinding is the mechanical process of reducing a tree stump and major surface roots below ground level using a specialized stump grinder — a high-horsepower rotating cutting wheel. Unlike stump removal (full excavation, which leaves a large hole), grinding pulverizes the stump into wood chips, typically 6–12 inches below grade. This eliminates trip hazards, prevents regrowth in most species, and allows the spot to be re-seeded, re-sodded, or paved. Stump grinding is distinct from tree removal (which leaves the stump) and is often bundled with it to save mobilization costs.

Pricing Guide

Stump Grinding & Removal — Pricing Ranges in Massachusetts

Scenario-based price ranges based on hundreds of Worcester County and Greater Boston jobs. Your exact price is fixed on-site.

ScenarioTypical Range (USD)
Small stump — under 12 in diameter$125 – $200
Medium stump 12–24 in diameter$200 – $350
Large stump 24–40 in diameter$350 – $500
Very large stump 40+ in diameter$500 – $800+
Grind to 12 in for planting/pavers+$50 – $150
Surface root grinding+$75 – $200
Haul away grindings$50 – $150
Topsoil fill + seed+$100 – $250

Every Pro Evolution quote is written and fixed — the ranges above are typical, not your final price. Request a free on-site assessment for an exact number.

What's Included

Every stump grinding & removal job, start to finish.

These are the steps and deliverables that come standard with every stump grinding & removal quote — no upsells, no line items you discover later.

  • On-site evaluation

    We check stump diameter, surrounding obstacles, soil conditions, and surface root spread to plan the right equipment and depth.

  • Utility mark-out

    Dig Safe notifications for any grinding near underground lines. Non-negotiable, and handled for you.

  • Grinding below grade

    Standard is 6 inches below grade; we go to 12 inches if you plan to sod, plant, or lay pavers.

  • Surface root grinding

    Major surface roots are ground flush or below so they don't re-sprout and don't interfere with lawn work.

  • Chip removal or spread

    Grindings can be left as mulch, spread thin into lawn, or hauled away — your call, specified in the quote.

  • Site restoration

    Area raked, surrounding lawn cleaned. If you want topsoil and seed added, we include that as a line item.

  • Written fixed quote

    Price is set before we start. No surprises even if the stump is larger than expected.

Our Process

How We Work: Assessment → Quote → Removal → Cleanup

A clear four-step process that eliminates surprises and respects your time.

  1. 01

    Request Your Free Quote

    Fill the form or email us. We respond within a few hours with a scheduled on-site visit.

  2. 02

    On-Site Assessment

    A trained estimator inspects the tree(s), checks clearances, and prepares a fixed written quote.

  3. 03

    Scheduling & Prep

    We confirm a date that works for you and notify utilities if needed. You get insurance docs up front.

  4. 04

    Precise Removal & Cleanup

    Our crew executes the plan safely, chips debris, and hauls every piece away. Yard restored.

Pricing

Understanding stump grinding & removal pricing in Massachusetts.

Every quote is fixed and written — but it helps to understand what drives the range. Here's the honest breakdown.

Typical Range

$125 – $450 per stump (bundled); $200 – $600 standalone

Every property is unique. The only way to know your exact price is an on-site assessment — and that's free.

What affects your quote:

  • Stump diameter (measured at widest point of the base)
  • Access — can the grinder reach the stump easily, or does it need to be carried in?
  • Depth below grade (6 inches standard, 12 inches for planting areas)
  • Number of surface roots to grind
  • Chip disposal — leave, spread, or haul away
  • Whether topsoil fill is included
  • Bundled with removal vs. standalone visit (bundled is typically 20–30% cheaper)

After the Work

After grinding, the ground sometimes settles over the following weeks as the remaining roots decompose. If you're planning to sod immediately, it's best to wait 2–4 weeks and then top-up with soil. Grass seed planted directly in grindings will germinate, but it's healthier with topsoil mixed in.

Reviews

What Worcester County Homeowners Are Saying

Real reviews from recent clients across Massachusetts.

A 60-foot maple had split over our garage after a windstorm. Pro Evolution arrived the same evening, tarped the hole, and fully removed it in under a day. Courteous, clean, professional — exactly what you want when you're panicking.

Maria D.

Shrewsbury, MA

Three dead oaks that had been stressing us out for two years. They gave us a fixed written quote, showed up on time, and cleaned up so well my wife thought they had re-mulched the bed. Would hire again in a heartbeat.

James P.

Worcester, MA

Priced three companies. Pro Evolution wasn't the cheapest — but they were the only ones who walked the property, explained what they'd do, and gave me the insurance docs without asking. Worth every dollar.

Erin T.

Marlborough, MA

Storm took down two huge pines blocking my driveway at 10pm Saturday. A crew was there by 7am Sunday morning. Cannot say enough good things. These are the people you want in your phone.

David L.

Leominster, MA

Answers

Stump Grinding & Removal FAQs

How much does stump grinding cost?
Stump grinding ranges from roughly $125–$450 per stump when bundled with tree removal, or $200–$600 for standalone grinding (accounting for a standalone mobilization fee). Pricing depends on diameter, depth, access, and surface-root spread. Multiple stumps on the same visit are cheaper per-stump.
How deep do you grind a stump?
Six inches below grade is the standard depth and is enough for most lawn applications. We recommend 12 inches below grade if you plan to sod, lay pavers, plant a new tree or shrub, or build any structure on the spot. Depth is agreed up front and listed on your quote.
Will the tree grow back if I only grind the stump?
For most Massachusetts tree species — maples, oaks, birches, pines — grinding the stump and major surface roots ends the tree. For species like black locust, poplar, or certain elms that sucker aggressively from remaining roots, we can apply an EPA-approved root-killing treatment on request or grind additional surface roots.
What do you do with the wood chips?
Your choice: leave them in place (some homeowners use them as mulch or fill for the hole), spread them thinly across the lawn to decompose naturally, or haul them off-site at no extra charge. Grindings make excellent fill for garden beds.
Can I plant a new tree where the stump was?
Not directly in the same spot — the old root system and grindings make poor conditions for a new root system. We recommend either planting 3–5 feet away from the original stump location, or waiting 12 months and fully excavating the grindings before replanting in the exact spot.
4.9 ★Rating
50+Homeowners served
108MA cities covered
Liability + WCInsurance
≤ 2 hrsQuote response
2018Serving since

Stump Grinding & Removal Quote

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A trained estimator visits your property, inspects the job, and delivers a written fixed price. No pressure, no pushy sales. Insurance docs on request.

  • Written, itemized quote — no guesswork
  • Certificate of Insurance on request
  • Debris haul and cleanup always included
  • Email response within 2 business hours

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  1. We reply by email

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    A trained estimator confirms your request and asks any clarifying questions.

  2. Free on-site assessment

    same or next business day

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  3. Written fixed quote

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    Itemized price — labor, equipment, debris haul, stump work if bundled. The price we quote is the price you pay.

  4. You approve. We schedule.

    your timing

    Certificate of Insurance in your inbox before crew arrives. No deposit required.

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