Tree Stump Grinder Hire Near You

No, we provide you with an easy and simple way to find a tree stump grinder to hire near you.

The cost to grind a tree stump typically ranges from £60 to £380 for a single stump, depending on its size, location, and accessibility. Larger stumps (over 60 cm in diameter) may cost £300 to £900 to grind. Many companies offer discounted rates for multiple stumps on the same property, usually charging £25 to £45 for each additional tree stump.

Alternative methods include chemical stump removers that accelerate decomposition, manual removal with digging tools, or natural decomposition aided by drilling holes and adding nitrogen. You can also use a mattock and axe to chip away at smaller stumps, though this requires significant physical effort. Some people cover stumps with soil and plantings to incorporate them into the landscape design, which is particularly popular in UK garden settings.

Professional stump removal (complete extraction with roots) typically costs £120 to £450 per stump, which is generally more expensive than grinding. A DIY stump grinder rental runs about £65 to £250 per day, making it more economical for multiple stumps. Price factors include stump diameter, root system complexity, soil conditions, and accessibility.

A professional with a commercial-grade stump grinder can grind a 50 cm diameter stump in about 30 minutes to 1 hour. DIY grinding with a rental machine might take 1-2 hours for the same stump due to less powerful equipment and operator experience. This timeframe includes only the grinding process and doesn’t account for setup, clean-up, or dealing with any unexpected obstacles like rocks.

Grinding is generally preferred for its efficiency, minimal landscape disruption, and lower cost than complete removal. Complete stump removal (digging up) is better when installing new structures or large plants in the exact location or when dealing with invasive species that might regrow from the remaining roots. Grinding leaves the root system in place to decompose in a natural way while digging removes everything and creates a large hole that needs filling.

Small tree roots (less than 1 inch in diameter) typically decompose within 1-2 years after stump grinding. Medium-sized roots may take 3-5 years to decompose fully, depending on soil conditions, moisture levels, and tree species. More extensive roots from hardwood trees can take 5-10 years or more to break down in the soil thoroughly.

Using Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) to rot a stump typically takes 8-12 months for significant decomposition. The process involves drilling holes in the stump, filling them with Epsom salt, adding water, and covering them with a tarp to retain moisture. Results vary based on stump size, tree species, and environmental conditions such as rainfall and temperature.

A chainsaw is not designed to be used as a stump grinder, and attempting to do so can be extremely dangerous due to kickback risk when the chain contacts soil or rocks. Special stump-cutting chainsaw attachments exist but are still less effective and more hazardous than proper stump grinders. Using a chainsaw, you can cut the stump as close to ground level as safely possible, but it cannot effectively grind below the soil surface like a dedicated stump grinder.

Professional stump grinding is the quickest complete removal method, typically finishing in under an hour for average-sized stumps. You can have the stump extracted with heavy machinery for immediate visual removal, though this creates a large hole requiring backfill. The fastest DIY method is renting a stump grinder from a local tool hire shop for same-day results, while chemical methods are more straightforward but take weeks or months to complete.