Published August 28, 2026
These are two different jobs with two different prices, and most homeowners are quoted grinding when they asked for removal.
Grinding
A grinder chews the stump into chips, typically 4-12 inches below grade, sometimes deeper on request. The main root flare is destroyed; the lateral roots stay in the ground and decompose over the following years.
- Cost: commonly $100-$400 for a typical yard stump, often priced by diameter
- Time: under an hour for most stumps
- Disruption: minimal — a mulch pile and a shallow depression
- Access: a grinder fits through most gates
Full removal
An excavator pulls the stump and the major root ball out whole.
- Cost: typically $400-$1,500+, more for large or difficult trees
- Time: several hours plus haul-off
- Disruption: significant — a large hole, heavy equipment tracks, backfill and grading needed
- Access: you need a path for a machine
Choose grinding when
- You want lawn back
- You are planting grass or a garden bed over the spot
- A patio, deck, or shed is going nearby but not directly on top
- Access is tight
Choose full removal when
- You are pouring concrete or setting footings directly over the location
- You are installing a fence line or driveway through it
- The tree died of a root pathogen such as oak wilt or Dutch elm, and you want the root mass gone
- You are replanting a tree in the same hole
- Regrowth suckers keep coming up (common with cottonwood, elm, and some maples)
The Minnesota-specific notes
Grind depth matters here. If you plan to plant grass, ask for 8-10 inches below grade so you have room for soil rather than chips. Chips alone do not support turf.
Backfill correctly. Do not just level the chip pile. Remove most of the chips, backfill with topsoil, and expect to top it off once as the remaining chips break down over a year.
Nitrogen tie-up. Decomposing wood pulls nitrogen from the surrounding soil. If you plant in that spot, add fertilizer or you will get a yellow patch.
Ash stumps. With emerald ash borer, coordinate removal and disposal with local wood movement guidance — do not haul untreated ash around the metro casually.
Not sure which you need? Tell us what is going over the spot and we will quote the one that actually fits.
Want an exact number for your project?
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between stump grinding and stump removal?
Grinding chews the stump 4-12 inches below grade and leaves the lateral roots to decompose. Full removal excavates the stump and root ball entirely, which costs more and leaves a large hole.
How much does stump grinding cost in Minnesota?
Typically $100-$400 per yard stump depending on diameter, versus roughly $400-$1,500 or more for full excavation and removal.
Do I need full removal if I am building over the spot?
Yes. If you are pouring concrete, setting footings, or running a fence line or driveway through the location, the root ball needs to come out.