Stump Grinding in North York — Reclaim Your Yard.
That leftover stump is a trip hazard, a pest magnet, and an eyesore. We grind stumps below grade quickly and cleanly, so you can replant, re-sod, or just enjoy the open space.
Free Stump Quote
Same-day assessment. No obligation, no surprise fees.
A ground-down stump is gone for good.
Left alone, a stump can sprout new growth, attract termites and carpenter ants, rot into a soft hazard, and get in the way of mowing and landscaping.
Our stump grinders chew the stump and surface roots down below ground level, turning the wood into mulch you can keep or have us remove. No chemicals, no digging up your whole yard.
Within a couple of hours, the stump is gone and the spot is ready for grass, a garden bed, or a new tree.
Why grind a stump?
- Eliminate a tripping and mowing hazard
- Stop suckers and new shoots from regrowing
- Remove a home for termites, ants, and beetles
- Reclaim space for grass, beds, or a new tree
- Get rid of an eyesore in the yard
- Prevent rot and fungus spreading to nearby plants
Clean, Complete Stump Grinding
We don’t just nick the top — we grind it properly and tidy up after.
- Below-grade grindingStump ground 15–30cm below the surface so you can re-sod or replant.
- Surface root grindingVisible surface roots ground down too, not just the main stump.
- Underground utility checkWe locate and avoid irrigation, cables, and lines before grinding.
- Mulch handled your wayKeep the wood chips for your beds or have us haul them away.
- Backfill readyGrindings can be used to backfill the hole, or we top it with soil.
- Tidy finishArea raked and cleaned — ready for grass or planting.
Stump Grinding: The Details Homeowners Ask For
Straight answers on timing, permits, access, and what it costs you.
- Grinding depth
- 15 to 30 cm below grade, deep enough to re-sod or lay a bed over the top.
- Typical job length
- Under an hour for most single stumps. A wide multi-stem or a stump ringed by surface roots takes half a day.
- Before the wheel turns
- Utility locates. Gas, hydro, cable and irrigation lines often run shallow beside an old stump, so the ground gets marked before we grind.
- What moves the price
- Diameter measured across the widest point at ground level, how much surface root comes with it, and whether a machine can reach the stump.
- Access we need
- About 90 cm of clear gate width for the walk-behind grinder. Wider stumps need the larger machine and a wider route.
- What is left behind
- A pile of wood mulch in the hole. We rake it level, haul it away, or leave it for your beds, whichever you prefer.
What happens to the ground after the stump is gone
Grinding leaves a crater full of shredded wood and soil, not clean earth. That mix settles as the wood breaks down, so a patch levelled the day of the job will dish slightly over the following year. If you want lawn there, take the grindings out, backfill with topsoil, and seed or sod on top.
Planting a new tree in the same spot needs the same treatment plus patience. Fresh wood chips pull nitrogen out of the soil as they decompose, and the old root plate is still in the ground below grinding depth. Either shift the new tree a metre or two, or excavate the grindings and replace them with soil before planting.
The roots left in the ground do not regrow. A stump sprouts because the trunk still carries live buds, and grinding below grade removes them. Species like poplar, willow and Norway maple can push suckers from the remaining root system for a season, which we can treat if they appear.
The North York Tree Standard
The same proven four steps on every job.
Call or Request a Quote
Tell us about the tree. Emergencies answered 24/7.
Free On-Site Assessment
A certified arborist confirms the plan and gives a written price.
Safe, Insured Grinding
Carried out by an equipped, fully insured crew.
Spotless Cleanup
Everything hauled away — your yard left clean and safe.
Stumps Gone, Yards Back
A few recent North York jobs — handled safely and cleaned up completely.
Old maple stump by the walkway
A wide stump making the front path awkward and unsafe.
Five stumps after a removal
Several stumps left from a previous clear-out.
Stump under a planned patio
A stump in the footprint of a new patio build.
“Booked them to grind two old stumps. In and out in an afternoon, ground them right down, and raked the area clean. You’d never know the stumps were there.”
Got a stump to get rid of?
Fast, clean stump grinding across North York & the GTA. Free quote.
Questions Homeowners Ask Us
How deep do you grind the stump?
Typically 15–30cm below grade — deep enough to re-sod, plant grass, or start a garden bed over the spot.
What happens to the wood chips?
They’re yours to keep as mulch, or we can backfill the hole with them or haul them away — your choice.
Can you grind stumps in a tight backyard?
Yes. Our machines fit through standard gates, and we have options for hard-to-reach spots.
Do you grind the roots too?
We grind the stump and visible surface roots. Deep lateral roots are left to decompose naturally and rarely cause issues.
How is grinding different from stump removal?
Grinding turns the stump into mulch below grade — faster and less disruptive. Full removal digs out the root ball and leaves a larger hole.
How is stump grinding priced?
By the diameter of the stump measured across the widest point at ground level, plus any surface roots you want taken out and the difficulty of getting a machine to it. Stumps done at the same visit as the removal cost less than a separate trip.
Will you hit my sprinkler or gas line?
Not if the ground is marked first. Locates are free and we arrange them before grinding anywhere near a service run. Private lines the utility does not track, such as irrigation and landscape lighting, are worth pointing out to the crew on the day.
Can I plant a new tree where the old one stood?
Yes, with preparation. Remove the grindings, backfill with topsoil, and either wait a season or plant a metre or so off the old centre. Planting straight into fresh chips starves the new roots of nitrogen.