What Does Stump Grinding Actually Look Like? (With Photos)

A lot of people have never seen stump grinding in person. They know they want the stump gone, but they're not sure what the process actually looks like or what to expect on the day of. Here's a walkthrough with real photos from recent jobs so you can see exactly what happens from start to finish.

STEP 1: WE SHOW UP WITH THE GRINDER

We bring our Bandit SG-40 track-mounted stump grinder to every job. It rides on rubber tracks so it won't tear up your lawn. We drive it right up to the stump — through gates, between landscaping, wherever it needs to go. If access is tight, we'll figure it out. The machine is compact enough to fit through a standard 36-inch gate.

Our Bandit SG-40 positioned at a 3-foot oak stump, ready to grind.

STEP 2: GRINDING BEGINS

The grinder has a spinning carbide-tipped wheel that chews into the stump. We work it back and forth across the stump, taking off 2-3 inches per pass. Wood chips fly everywhere (that's normal — it's actually a good sign the machine is working efficiently). We start at the top and work our way down to 6-12 inches below grade.

The grinder chewing through a stump — chips fly as the carbide wheel does its work.

STEP 3: CHASING THE ROOTS

Once the main stump is below grade, we grind out the major surface roots that extend out from the base. These roots are what cause bumps in your lawn and can interfere with new landscaping or construction. We typically chase roots out 2-4 feet from the stump center.

Grinding near a fence line — the tracks keep the machine stable on any terrain.

STEP 4: CLEANUP

After grinding, there's a pile of wood chips and dirt where the stump used to be. We rake the grindings back into the hole and mound it up slightly — it'll settle over the next few weeks as the chips decompose. Your yard is left clean and level, ready for grass seed, sod, or whatever you have planned.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR JOB

A few things people are often surprised by: The machine is loud (wear ear protection if you're watching nearby). There will be a lot of wood chips — way more than you'd think. The whole process is faster than most people expect. A typical single stump takes 15-30 minutes. And yes, we clean up before we leave.