“It's a good add-on service, but you have to have the work to justify it,” says Shawn Cressman, president of Cressman's Lawn & Tree Care, Hellertown, Pa. “If you can't operate a stump grinder three days a week, it won't pay for itself.”

Stump grinders are powerful machines equipped with heavy-duty engines and specialized grinding wheels. These machines require significant upfront investment for purchase and ongoing maintenance to ensure optimal performance and safety. The cost of owning and maintaining these grinders is reflected in the service price.

Grinding is much more efficient than stump removal, however, it does leave the tree's roots behind.

Root Decay. After stump grinding, the roots are also chopped up. This can lead to decay and fungus growth in the remaining wood.