Stump Removal & Grinding Cost

Stump grinding is commonly quoted as its own line item, separate from taking the tree down — scaling mainly with the stump's diameter, plus a surcharge for dense hardwood species.

Stump diameter	Softwood / palm / medium	Dense hardwood (oak, walnut)
6 in	$90–$175	$117–$228
12 in	$90–$175	$117–$228
18 in	$90–$175	$117–$228
24 in	$90–$175	$117–$228
30 in	$90–$210	$117–$273
36 in	$108–$252	$140–$328
42 in	$126–$294	$164–$382

Why it's priced separately

Stump grinding uses different equipment (a stump grinder, not a chainsaw and rigging) and is often subcontracted or scheduled as its own visit — which is why most tree removal quotes list it as an add-on rather than folding it into the base price. Grinding scales with diameter (more wood to chew through) and, like the tree itself, with wood density.

Grinding vs. full stump removal

"Stump grinding" chews the visible stump and upper roots down below grade so you can plant grass or mulch over it — it doesn't remove the full root system, which will eventually decompose on its own. Full excavation (pulling the entire root ball) is a bigger, pricier job, usually only worth it if you're planting something else in that exact spot right away.