How Do You Properly Measure a Stump?
Calculating the cost of grinding a stump is fairly easy. Measure the diameter (width) of the stump at ground level or the widest point of the stump as it meets the ground. If the ground is elevated or uplifted around the stump, extend the diameter to include grinding the elevated area around the stump to grade level.
Information We Need to Obtain from You
- An accurate stump count and their locations on your property. Stumps can be marked with marking paint, tape or cones. When there are a large number of stumps, an exact count is essential for pricing.
- The size of the stump(s). The larger the stump is, the more important it is to get an accurate measurement.
- The species of tree, if you know it. This is important because certain species often have an extremely large sub-surface root flare, so the entire area around the stump that is pushed up above grade will need to be ground. Certain species of softwoods are easier to grind than hardwoods. However, the larger the stump, the more important species-identification is when related to pricing.
- Access. Our equipment can traverse a 36-inch-wide gate. Let us know if there are steep grades, retaining walls, or limited access because of sensitive hardscapes or interfering trees and shrubs. Is the stump is in an open location or close to a building, fence, sidewalk, deck or other structure? Stump grinding machines have a safety bar around the grinding head that limits how close we can grind to any structure or other horticulture.
- How deep would you like the stump ground? This will depend on what you have planned for the area. Generally, if grass is to be planted in the stump area, we will grind to an average depth of 4-6 inches below grade.
- If the area is to be left wild or mulched, we will often grind just below grade. Smaller stumps do not grow very deep and are easier to remove more completely. Bigger stumps often require considerably more work to grind to a depth below 4-6 inches.
