How to Remove a Tree Stump Yourself with a Stump Grinder

By the team at Beehive Rental & Sales — Serving Southern Utah's contractors and homeowners since 1994.

A tree stump sitting in your yard is more than an eyesore --- it is a tripping hazard, a magnet for termites and other pests, and an obstacle that prevents you from using that space for anything else. Stump grinding is the fastest and most effective way to remove a stump completely, and it is one of the easiest pieces of rental equipment to operate. Most homeowners can grind a stump in 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on size and species.

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Quick Answer: A stump grinder shaves a tree stump 4-6 inches below ground level in one session, letting you fill the hole and plant grass or landscape over it immediately. Stump grinder rental runs $100-$300 per day at BeeHive Rental & Sales in St. George --- far less than the $200-$600 a tree service charges per stump. Call (435) 628-6663 for availability.

Key Takeaways

• •Stump grinding is the fastest removal method --- a typical stump takes 30 minutes to 2 hours versus weeks or months for chemical decomposition
• •Rental stump grinders are straightforward to operate --- the machine does the hard work; you guide it in a sweeping motion across the stump face
• •Safety gear is non-negotiable --- eye protection, ear protection, steel-toed boots, and long pants are required because the grinder throws wood chips and small debris at high velocity
• •Grind at least 4-6 inches below grade to ensure the stump does not regrow and to allow enough depth for topsoil and grass or plants above
• •Check stump grinder availability at BeeHive --- walk-behind and self-propelled models available for rental with training included

Stump Removal Methods Compared

Before you commit to stump grinding, understand the alternatives so you can confirm it is the right approach for your situation.

Stump Grinding (Recommended)

A stump grinder uses a rotating cutting wheel with carbide teeth to shred the stump wood into small chips. You grind the stump 4-6 inches below ground level, fill the hole with the resulting wood chips and topsoil, and the stump is gone.

Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours per stump Cost: $100-$300/day rental (can do multiple stumps in one day) Pros: Fast, thorough, immediate results, wood chips make free mulch Cons: Leaves roots in the ground (they decompose naturally over 5-10 years)

Chemical Decomposition

Drill holes in the stump, fill with potassium nitrate or commercial stump remover, add water, and wait. The chemical accelerates decomposition, softening the stump over weeks or months until you can break it apart.

Time: 4-6 weeks minimum, often several months Cost: $10-$30 for chemicals Pros: Very inexpensive, minimal physical effort Cons: Extremely slow, stump remains an obstacle for weeks, chemicals leach into soil

Manual Removal (Digging Out)

Dig around the stump, cut the roots, lever the stump out of the ground. Suitable only for small stumps from trees under 6-8 inches in diameter.

Time: 2-8 hours of hard labor per stump Cost: Free (if you have the tools) or $50-$100 for a mattock and root saw Pros: Complete removal including roots, no equipment rental Cons: Extremely labor-intensive, impractical for large stumps, leaves a large hole

Burning

Drill holes, add kerosene, ignite, and tend the fire until the stump is consumed. Not recommended in Southern Utah due to extreme fire risk, city burn restrictions, and proximity to homes.

Time: Several hours of active tending Cost: Minimal Pros: None worth mentioning Cons: Fire hazard (especially critical in St. George's dry climate), smoke complaints, city ordinance violations, risk to nearby structures

Bottom line: For stumps over 6 inches in diameter, stump grinding is the clear winner on speed, effectiveness, and overall value.

Equipment You'll Need

Stump Grinder

Rental stump grinders come in two main configurations:

Walk-behind stump grinders are compact machines that you push into position and operate from behind. They handle stumps up to 12-16 inches in diameter comfortably and fit through standard yard gates. These are the most common rental units and are appropriate for most residential stump removal.

Self-propelled stump grinders are larger machines that drive themselves into position. They handle larger stumps (16 inches and above) more efficiently and feature more powerful cutting wheels. These are appropriate for multiple large stumps or very hard wood species.

BeeHive Rental & Sales carries both types. The staff will recommend the right size based on your stump diameter and species.

Safety Gear (Required)

• •Safety glasses or face shield --- The grinder throws wood chips, rocks, and debris at high velocity. Eye protection is mandatory, not optional.
• •Ear protection --- Stump grinders are loud. Hearing protection (earmuffs or plugs rated NRR 25+) protects your hearing during the 30-120 minute grinding process.
• •Steel-toed boots --- You are standing near a machine with a high-speed cutting wheel. Protect your feet.
• •Long pants and long sleeves --- Wood chip projectiles sting exposed skin.
• •Work gloves --- For handling debris and maintaining grip on the machine controls.

Hand Tools

• •Shovel --- For clearing dirt from around the stump base before grinding and for filling the hole afterward
• •Rake --- For collecting and spreading wood chips
• •Mattock or pickaxe --- For clearing surface roots around the stump perimeter before grinding
• •Garden hose --- Optional, but useful for wetting surrounding area to reduce dust in our dry Southern Utah conditions

Step-by-Step: Grinding a Tree Stump

Step 1: Prepare the Area

1. •Clear the area around the stump in a 10-foot radius. Remove rocks, landscape staples, sprinkler heads, and any debris that could become a projectile if the grinder throws it.
2. •Dig around the stump base to expose the trunk-to-root flare. Remove dirt, rocks, and any embedded objects from the stump surface. Rocks and dirt dull the cutting teeth rapidly and can create dangerous projectiles.
3. •Check for obstacles --- locate sprinkler lines, landscape lighting wires, or shallow utilities near the stump. Call 811 if you have any doubt about underground utility locations.
4. •Trim the stump if it is taller than 6-8 inches above ground. The lower the stump, the faster and easier the grinding. A chainsaw can bring a tall stump down to a manageable height.

Step 2: Position the Grinder

Roll or drive the stump grinder into position with the cutting wheel a few inches above the stump's front edge. Ensure the machine is on stable, level ground. Clear any bystanders to at least 20 feet --- the debris throw zone is larger than most people expect.

Step 3: Start Grinding

1. •Start the grinder engine and let it reach operating speed
2. •Lower the cutting wheel onto the front edge of the stump, engaging about 2-3 inches deep per pass
3. •Sweep the cutting wheel slowly from side to side across the stump face, shaving off 2-3 inches of wood with each lateral pass
4. •After each pass, advance the grinder forward slightly to engage fresh wood
5. •Continue the sweeping, advancing pattern across the entire stump diameter

The key technique: Think of the grinder like a giant file, not a drill. You are shaving the stump away in thin layers with a side-to-side motion, not plunging straight down into it.

Step 4: Grind Below Grade

Once you have ground the stump down to ground level, continue grinding at least 4-6 inches below the surrounding soil surface. This depth ensures:

• •The stump will not send up new sprouts
• •You have enough depth for topsoil and grass or plants above
• •The ground surface will not develop a visible depression as remaining wood decomposes

For areas where you plan to pour concrete or install pavers, grind 8-12 inches below grade to allow room for proper base material.

Step 5: Address Surface Roots

Major surface roots radiating out from the stump should be ground down as well, at least where they are visible above grade. Follow each major root out from the stump, grinding it below the soil surface. The grinder handles roots just as easily as the main stump.

Step 6: Fill the Hole

1. •Rake the wood chips that have accumulated around the grinding site --- you will have a surprising amount
2. •Fill the hole with a mix of the wood chips and topsoil (about 50/50 ratio)
3. •Mound the fill material slightly above the surrounding grade --- it will settle 10-20% over the next few weeks
4. •Tamp lightly with your foot or a hand tamper

Step 7: Use Your Free Mulch

A single stump produces a significant volume of wood chips --- often enough to mulch several landscape beds. The chips are already the perfect size for mulch. Spread them 2-3 inches deep around trees, shrubs, or in garden beds. Free mulch is one of the underappreciated bonuses of stump grinding.

Note: Fresh wood chips temporarily consume nitrogen as they decompose. If you use them heavily in garden beds, add a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to compensate.

Southern Utah Stump Considerations

Common Desert Tree Species and Root Density

Tree species commonly found in the St. George area present different grinding challenges:

Cottonwood --- Fast-growing trees with soft to medium-density wood. Cottonwood stumps grind quickly but often have extensive, spreading root systems that require extra grinding attention.

Mulberry --- Medium-density wood that grinds cleanly. Mulberry trees are common in older St. George neighborhoods and produce stumps that are straightforward to remove.

Elm --- Harder wood than cottonwood. Elm stumps require a bit more time and produce finer chips. The root systems tend to be deep rather than spreading, so surface root grinding is usually minimal.

Mesquite and desert hardwoods --- Very hard, dense wood that dulls grinder teeth faster. If you are grinding mesquite or similar desert species, expect the process to take longer and notify the rental staff so they can ensure the grinder has sharp, fresh teeth.

Rocky Soil Around Stumps

Southern Utah soil frequently contains rocks embedded around and between tree roots. Rocks are the enemy of stump grinder teeth. Before grinding:

• •Dig around the stump base and remove visible rocks from the grinding zone
• •Clear soil away from the stump face where possible
• •Watch for rocks during grinding --- if you hear a sharp metallic ping instead of the normal grinding sound, stop and clear the obstruction

The BeeHive Rental team understands St. George soil conditions and will prepare the grinder appropriately for our rocky terrain.

Watering Considerations

In our dry desert climate, the soil around stumps is often bone dry and dustite. Wetting the area around the stump (not the stump itself) before grinding reduces dust significantly. This is especially important if you or your neighbors are sensitive to airborne particles, or if you are grinding near windows, HVAC intakes, or pools.

Cost Comparison: DIY vs. Hiring Out

The math on multiple stumps is where DIY really wins. A single-stump removal might save $100-$250. But if you have 3-5 stumps, you pay the same daily rental rate and remove them all, saving $400-$1,200 compared to professional removal. BeeHive Rental & Sales rents stump grinders by the day --- do all your stumps in one rental period.

FAQ

How long does it take to grind a tree stump?

A stump from a 12-inch-diameter tree typically takes 30-45 minutes to grind below grade with a rental stump grinder. Larger stumps (24 inches and above) can take 1-2 hours. Very hard wood species like mesquite take longer than soft species like cottonwood. Plan for the full day rental and you will have plenty of time for multiple stumps plus cleanup.

Will the tree grow back after stump grinding?

If you grind the stump 4-6 inches below grade, regrowth is extremely unlikely. Some species (elm, cottonwood) may send up root suckers from remaining underground roots for a season or two, but these are easily pulled or mowed and will stop as the roots decompose.

What do I do with the wood chips from stump grinding?

Wood chips from stump grinding make excellent free mulch for landscape beds. Spread them 2-3 inches deep around trees and shrubs. You can also use them to fill the grinding hole mixed with topsoil. A single medium stump produces enough chips to mulch a 50-75 square foot garden bed.

Is stump grinding safe for a homeowner to do?

Yes, with proper safety equipment and basic training. Rental stump grinders are designed for operator safety with guards, shields, and kill switches. BeeHive Rental & Sales provides hands-on operation training with every stump grinder rental. The key safety rules are: wear eye and ear protection, keep bystanders 20 feet away, clear rocks from the grinding area, and never force the cutting wheel --- let the machine do the work.

Can I grind a stump next to a fence or building?

Most walk-behind stump grinders can operate within 6-12 inches of a fence or structure. The cutting wheel extends to one side of the machine, allowing you to position the body of the grinder away from the obstacle while the wheel reaches the stump. Discuss the specific location with the BeeHive Rental staff when you pick up the equipment --- they can recommend the right machine for tight spaces.

Ready to get rid of that stump? BeeHive Rental & Sales in St. George has stump grinders ready for pickup with full training included. One rental day is usually all you need to remove every stump on your property. Call (435) 628-6663 to check availability, or browse the landscaping equipment inventory to see your options.