A stump grinder turns a stump and its surface roots into a pile of wood chips, leaving ground you can plant, seed or build on. Kirkland Sentinel Tree Care grinds stumps on their own or as part of a removal, including big Douglas fir and cedar stumps up to several feet across.
Grind or dig out?
| Grinding | Full removal | |
|---|---|---|
| Removes | Stump + top roots, 8–12” below grade | Stump + root ball |
| Machine | Stump grinder, many fit a 30–36” gate | Excavator |
| Yard after | Chip pile, small hollow | Large hole, track marks |
| Cost | Low | Several times more |
| When | Lawns, beds, replanting | Foundations, footings, trenches |
Before we grind: 811
Grinding cuts below the surface, so Washington’s dig law applies. Call 811 at least two business days before so utilities can mark gas, power, water and telecom lines. Sprinkler pipes, low-voltage lighting and private lines aren’t marked: show us where yours are.
Kirkland specifics
- Replacement trees. If a Landmark permit or the rebate program means planting nearby, grind deep and pull the chips so the new tree goes into soil.
- Root rot stumps. Grinding an infected fir stump doesn’t kill the fungus in the roots; pick a tolerant species for the replacement.
- Buffers and shoreline. Stumps in stream, wetland or shoreline buffers are often left on purpose because their roots hold the bank. Check before grinding near Juanita Creek, Forbes Creek or the lake.
- Slopes. On Finn Hill and Juanita ravines, an old stump may be part of what holds the slope. Leaving it is sometimes the right call.
What happens to the chips
Keep them as mulch, use them to backfill the hole, or have them hauled away and the hole topped with soil for seeding. Fresh conifer chips make a good path or bed mulch but shouldn’t be dug into planting holes.
Old stump in the way of your plans? Get a grinding quote.
(425) 000-0000Common questions
How much does stump grinding cost in Kirkland?
Usually $150 to $500 per stump, based on diameter at ground level, root flare and access. A 4-foot-wide old fir stump on a slope costs more; several stumps in one visit cost less each.
Is it cheaper to grind or remove a stump?
Grinding is far cheaper. Pulling the whole stump and root ball needs an excavator and leaves a crater. Excavation only makes sense when a foundation, footing or utility trench has to go exactly where the stump is.
How long does it take to grind a 30 inch stump?
About 30 to 60 minutes of grinding for a typical 30-inch conifer stump, plus setup and cleanup. Hardwoods and fresh, pitchy fir stumps take longer than old, softened ones.
Can I plant a new tree where the stump was?
Yes, after removing most of the grindings and backfilling with soil. Wood chips rob nitrogen as they break down. Better still, plant a few feet to one side, away from the old roots.