Stump Grinding

We offer a range of options for dealing with stumps subject to site access and the degree on stump removal required.

  • Predator 460 SW stump grinder that has a width of only 76.5cm so can fit through most garden gates and is used where access to a stump is difficult. This smaller machine has a 25hp engine so is still capable of grinding our larger stumps but due to the sizes of the cutting head, it is much slower than its larger counterparts.
  • Rayco RG50 stump grinder which is our mid-sized machine capable of grind out most stumps. Although only 90cm wide, this machine is much larger and side operated, so required good access around the stump but with a 50hp engine and a larger cutting head it can grind out the stumps much quicker than compared to the Predator 460 SW stump grinder.
  • Rayco RG100 stump grinder is our largest stump grinder, which is slightly bigger than the RG50 but twice the size engine at 100hp. This stump grinder is capable of grinding out any sized stump with ease. This machine is shown in the adjacent photo.
  • Hitachi 1.8 ton excavator where stumps and roots need to be completely dug out. Whilst the stump grinders tend to only just out the top 30cm of the stump and surface roots, mechanical excavation can be used to completed dig out the whole stump and roots. Note, this can be quite invasive and means disturbing a large part of the ground around the stump so we tend to only dig out smaller stumps, if required.
  • Eco-plugs where stumps do not need grinding/ removing but need to be treated to prevent re-growth. Eco-plugs provide a more environmentally friendly way to treat the stump as they prevent any chemical drift and ensure the chemical is directed into the stump.
  • We use a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) and Signal Generator (Genny) to locate any underground cables or pipes prior to any stump grinding works to avoid any accidental damage to underground services.

Stump Grinding FAQs

A stump grinder is a machine that uses a vertical rotating disc with hammer-like cutting teeth to pulverize and break up the stump into wood chip. The unique style of the cutting teeth allows the machine to dig through the dirt and work below ground level to grind out the stump.

Whilst this method only grinds out the actual stump, and not all the roots, it can be used to grind out any surface roots. This method is also less invasive to the surrounding area as it only grinds out what it comes into contact with and cuts off any roots. Whereas, digging a stump out can pull out all of the roots which will spread quite a distance from the stump.

All of our stump grinders work in the same manner but the machines are different sizes. We choose the machine depending to the access restrictions of the site. The bigger machines have larger cutting discs so are able to grind through the stump much easier and quicker but our larges grinder (the Rayco RG00) is a large machine and required good access to and all the way around the stump. Our smaller machines are perfectly capable of grinding out any stumps but, due to its size, it is a much slower operations.

As the stump grinder pulverizes the stump into wood chip, you are left with a pile of wood chip where the stump previously was. Due to the wood being tightly compacted in stump form, the loose wood chip material tends to be much larger than the stump.

As part of our quotation, we offer three options in dealing with the arisings:

  1. Remove any excess arisings from the stump grinding and rake area level.
  2. Remove all arisings from stump grinding, fill hole with topsoil and rake level.
  3. Remove all arisings from stump grinding, fill hole with topsoil, rake level and sow grass seed.

In addition to the wood chip arisings, there will still be roots below ground level in the area surrounding the stump. These roots will rot and disintegrate over time or can be dug out and removed, if needed.

Generally, with both our larger machines (Rayco RG50 & Rayco RG100), we grind the stump out to a minimum of 300mm below ground level. In most cases, this would completely grind the whole stump bole out, however on larger stumps this would leave an element of the stump bole in the ground. This doesn’t tend to cause a problem and the remaining stump bole will naturally disintegrate overtime. If required, it is possible to excavate the ground around the stump, to lower the surrounding ground level, to grind the stump lower.

When using our smaller machine (Predator 460SW), we grind the stump out to a minimum of 200mm below ground level. As this machine mostly grinds out smaller sized stumps, this normally means that we are grinding out the whole stump bole but, as with the larger machines, on larger stumps this would leave an element of the stump bole in the ground.

There are other options for dealing with stumps following tree removal:

If the whole stump bole needs to be removed, including all the roots, then the stump can be dug out by hand or with an excavator. As the roots will spread quite a distance from the stump, this can cause a high-level of ground disturbance so tends to only be carried out on smaller stumps, where the roots spread is not so great. We operative a small 1.8ton excavator and an even smaller 0.9ton micro-digger, that is narrow enough to fit through a standard sized garden gate, should you want your stumps completed dug out and removed from site.

If the stump is not causing a nuisance, then it can be left to naturally decompose. Note, this will take several years for the stump to decay and disintegrate. We would advise that the stump is treated to prevent re-growth, as many species will re-grow from a stump and can even grow from roots below the ground. Treating the stump will kill the organic material and prevent the stump from re-growing. Stumps can be treated but spraying a diluted solution of glyphosate onto the stump, immediately after removal, or by using specially designed Eco-plugs. Small holes are drilled into the stump and then Eco-plugs are placed into the holes, where a small quantity of neat glyphosate is released into the stump. This method ensures for no chemical run off and is deemed more environmentally friendly.

Case Studies

Reviews from our clients

S P Landscapes & Tree Contractors Ltd
S P Landscapes & Tree Contractors Ltd
4.8
Based on 37 reviews
powered by Google
review us on
nicola kettlewellnicola kettlewell
10:40 01 Dec 23
Very happy with this Company, prompt reply to our request, communication excellent throughout. All the staff we dealt with were excellent and friendly. We were very happy with the work they did on our trees and would use them again.
Paul HickmanPaul Hickman
19:01 08 Nov 23
Excellent service. Arrived on the day and time agreed. Both workmen were very professional. Work done as agreed and everything left tidy.
David WoodDavid Wood
08:34 13 Oct 23
Excellent job well done
Pam AuldPam Auld
12:48 13 Sep 23
This was the 2nd time I have used this company and, as with the first time, they have done an excellent job at a reasonable price. I needed two hedges reduced in height, and on the hottest day of the year, two young men arrived, with all the gear and worked solidly for 3 hours. They were both polite and very professional, clearly knew their job and cleared away everything before leaving. I would have no hesitation in recommending this company and will definitely use again in the future.
Darren SheppardDarren Sheppard
05:49 24 Aug 23
We had a very large beech tree and two other trees that required felling , at our school in Mildenhall . All of our concerns regarding safety and damage to buildings and astro turf were more that adequately addressed . I cannot praise this company enough . From start to finish , they were very efficient , very professional and very custoner focused . Great job guys .
Bill WardBill Ward
16:20 02 Feb 23
I hired SP Landscapes to 'crown reduce' one ash tree and pollard another suffering from ash dieback. This was a potentially tricky job and a large cherry picker was needed to safely access the trees. Also it was important that no heavy pieces or debris fell onto the garden office or into the next door property.The work was carried out with great professionalism, skill and courtesy throughout the two days. The three chaps were unfailingly polite and explained everything clearly. They left the site very clean and tidy.I wholeheartedly recommend SP Landscapes. You will pay a bit more but the peace of mind that comes from hiring a team that really know what they are doing is worth every penny.
js_loader

Request an estimate

Click here

Contact Us

S.P. Landscapes & Tree Contractors
Arboracre, Elms Road
Red Lodge
Bury St. Edmunds
Suffolk, IP28 8TD

Call Us: 01638 750186

 

Examples of our work

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions

Keep in touch