When homeowners arrange for the removal of a tree, they often assume the quoted price covers the complete elimination of the entire plant, including the part buried in the ground. This common misunderstanding is the source of frequent surprise and unexpected costs. The arboriculture industry generally treats the removal of the tree’s trunk and the subsequent removal of the stump as two distinct, separately priced services. Understanding this difference is key to ensuring the job meets your expectations.
Standard Definition of Tree Removal
The service labeled “tree removal” defines the process of felling the tree and clearing the material above the soil line. This involves the controlled cutting of the tree, either by climbing and sectioning the trunk or felling it from the base. The crew dismantles the canopy, limbs the trunk, and cuts the wood into manageable pieces for disposal or for the homeowner to keep as firewood.
The accepted industry standard dictates that this service concludes at the ground level, leaving the tree’s base, or stump, and the surrounding root flare intact. The work crew hauls away the logs, branches, and other debris resulting from the removal. If the quote does not specifically mention “stump grinding” or “stump removal,” expect the base of the tree to be left behind, often cut a few inches above grade.
The Separate Service of Stump Grinding
Removing the remaining stump requires a specialized procedure known as stump grinding. This is necessary because the root crown and buttress roots are dense and firmly anchored in the soil. The process uses a powerful machine called a stump grinder, which utilizes a rapidly spinning wheel fitted with carbide-tipped teeth. The grinder works by chipping away at the wood, turning the solid stump into small wood shavings.
The operator systematically moves the cutting wheel across the stump until the material is reduced to a depth of six to twelve inches below the surrounding soil grade. This depth is sufficient to eliminate the visible portion of the stump and allow for the placement of topsoil or sod. The resulting material, a mixture of wood chips and soil, is often left behind unless a separate debris removal service is requested.
Clarifying Contracts and Quotes
To ensure you receive the precise service expected, obtain a detailed, itemized quote from the tree service provider. The quote should clearly list “tree removal” and “stump grinding” as separate line items with distinct costs. If you require the ground to be completely clear for construction or replanting a new tree, clarify if the service includes full root removal, which is a more intensive and costly excavation than standard grinding.
You must also confirm what happens to the wood chips left behind from the grinding process. Many companies leave the mulch pile on site unless the quote includes hauling away this debris and filling the resulting void with fresh topsoil. Always confirm the grinding depth, as a shallower grind may not allow for future landscaping plans.
Asking specific questions about the final condition of the work area and ensuring the answers are in writing will prevent disputes over the scope of the project.