Stump Grinding
Stuck with a stump after a tree's come down, or one that's been in the way for years? We grind them out fast and clean, below ground level, so you can plant, pave, or lawn over the space. NPTC-qualified, fully insured, across Gloucestershire and surrounding areas, with a free quote every time.
Typically From
£350
Stump Grinding
Stump grinding is the quickest, tidiest way to get rid of a tree stump for good, grinding it down below ground level so you can reclaim the space and forget it was ever there. At Silver Tree Services, our NPTC-qualified team removes stumps of every size across Gloucestershire and surrounding areas, from a single awkward stump in a back garden to clearing a whole row left behind after felling. Whether you want to replant, lay a lawn, build, or simply lose a trip hazard, we’ll leave the ground clear and ready.
Why remove a tree stump?
- It stops regrowth. Many species will keep sending up shoots from a live stump for years. Grinding it out ends that for good.
- It frees up the space. A ground-level stump and its roots make it hard to plant, turf, pave, or build over the area. Grinding clears the way.
- It removes a trip hazard. Stumps hidden in a lawn are easy to catch a mower, a foot, or a wheelbarrow on.
- It reduces pest and fungal risk. Decaying stumps can attract honey fungus, which spreads to healthy plants, as well as wood-boring insects.
- It tidies the garden. A stump is an eyesore that's almost impossible to mow around. Grinding gives you a clean, usable surface.
Stump grinding or stump removal: what's the difference?
These two get mixed up all the time. Stump grinding uses a machine with a rotating cutting wheel to chip the stump and its main surface roots down to woodchip, usually to between 15cm and 30cm below ground level, deeper if you’re planning to replant. It’s fast, low-impact, and leaves the surrounding garden largely undisturbed. Stump removal means physically digging or pulling the entire root system out, which is far more invasive, leaves a large hole, and can disturb nearby paving, walls, or services. For almost all residential gardens, grinding is the better choice. We’ll only recommend full removal if there’s a specific reason, such as building foundations going in over the spot.
Our stump grinding process
We keep it simple and safe from the first call to the finished job:
- Free site visit. We come out, look at the stump, check access and any nearby walls, drains, or utilities, and give you an honest written quote.
- Safe set-up. On the day, we locate and avoid underground services, protect the surrounding area, and choose the right machine for the access and stump size.
- Grinding. We grind the stump and major surface roots down below ground level, to a depth suited to what you're planning for the space.
- Tidy and finish. We can leave the woodchip to backfill the hole as a free mulch, or remove it and top the area with soil so it's ready for turf or planting. Either way, we leave the site clean.
Access is rarely a problem. We run narrow-access grinders that fit through a standard garden gate for tight or terraced gardens, alongside larger tracked machines for big stumps and open sites, so we can reach stumps most people assume are stuck where they are.
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Why choose Silver Tree Services
Silver Tree Services has traded for over 20 years from Shurdington, Cheltenham, with 30+ qualified staff across seven specialist teams, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification, ARB Approved Contractor status, and SMAS SSIP accreditation. Crews are NPTC-certificated with IPAF and CSCS where work requires it, RAMS are produced per site, DBS-checked operatives are available for sensitive settings, and public and employers’ liability insurance covers every job. The client list, NHS, Gloucestershire Police, Stroud District Council, Savills, the Church of England, is the vetting evidence.
Areas we cover
We carry out stump grinding across the whole of Gloucestershire, including Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Tewkesbury, Cirencester, and the Cotswold towns, as well as cities such as Bristol, Bath, and Swindon.
Guide pricing
| Tree Size | Typical Scope | Guide Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small stump | Single stump, easy access | From £350 |
| Large stump | Mature or wide stump, surface roots | POA |
| Multiple stumps | Per site, priced on visit | POA |
How it works
Step One
The Quote
A photo with a tape measure in shot is often enough for a same-day price; otherwise we visit free.
Step Two
Access & Plan
We confirm the machine route, protection needed, and grind depth for what you’re doing with the ground.
Step Three
The Grind
Surfaces protected, stump and surface roots ground out below ground level; most garden stumps take under an hour.
Step Four
Backfill & Tidy.
Chip mulch backfilled or removed and replaced with topsoil, site raked and swept before we leave.
Good Questions
Frequently asked.
How much does stump grinding cost?
Stump grinding typically costs from £350 per stump, depending on the size of the stump, how hard the wood is, and how easy it is to reach. A small, accessible stump sits at the lower end, while a large mature stump or one with extensive surface roots costs more. Silver Tree Services gives a free written quote after a site visit across Gloucestershire and surrounding areas, and where you have several stumps we’ll usually price the job as a whole.
Will the stump grow back after grinding?
No. Once a stump has been ground out below ground level, it can no longer produce new growth, so you won’t get the shoots and suckers that a live stump often sends up. Grinding removes the stump and its main surface roots, which is more than enough to stop regrowth for the vast majority of garden trees. Silver Tree Services grinds to a depth suited to what you’re planning, whether that’s lawn, planting, or paving.
What's the difference between stump grinding and stump removal?
Stump grinding uses a machine to chip the stump and surface roots down below ground level, leaving the surrounding garden largely undisturbed. Stump removal means physically digging out the entire root system, which is far more invasive and leaves a large hole. For almost all residential gardens, grinding is faster, cheaper, and tidier, which is why Silver Tree Services recommends it in most cases and only suggests full removal where there’s a specific reason such as building over the spot.
Can I plant a new tree or build where the stump was?
Usually yes, with a little preparation. After grinding, the hole is backfilled with woodchip and soil, so for replanting we grind deeper and recommend removing the chippings and topping with fresh topsoil, since decaying wood can affect new growth. If you’re planning to build or pave, let us know at the site visit so we can grind to the right depth and clear the arisings. Silver Tree Services will advise on the best approach for whatever you have planned for the space.
What happens to the woodchip and waste?
The woodchip produced by grinding can be left on site to backfill the hole as a free mulch, or we can remove it and leave the area topped with soil and ready to use. As an ISO 14001 certified company, any material we take away is recycled into mulch, compost, or biomass rather than sent to landfill. Just tell our team which you’d prefer when we visit.
How long does stump grinding take?
Most domestic stumps are ground out in under an hour, and many in a matter of minutes, though large or multiple stumps and difficult access can take longer. Because grinding is so much quicker and less disruptive than digging a stump out, it’s usually a same-visit job once we’re on site. Silver Tree Services will give you a clear idea of timing as part of your free quote.
Ready When You Are
One less stump
to mow around.
Book a free site visit and we’ll quote it on the spot, then grind it out fast, usually within the week.
Or call · 01242 472560