Stump Removal & Grinding

A leftover stump is more than a tripping hazard — it’s dead wood that keeps decaying, can sprout new suckers, and blocks whatever you actually want to do with that spot in your yard. We grind stumps below grade so the area can be replanted, sodded, or paved over, for homeowners across Idaho Falls, Ammon, Shelley, and Lincoln.

What’s Included in Stump Grinding

We grind the stump and major surface roots down below grade with a stump grinder sized to the job, then backfill the hole with the ground material or fresh soil so the area is level and ready for grass, mulch, or a paver base. Wood grindings are hauled off-site as part of the standard job — or, if you’d rather keep them for mulch, we can leave them on request. For stumps in tight spots — close to a fence, foundation, or underground sprinkler line — we’ll walk the site with you before quoting so there are no surprises.

Grinding in Bonneville County’s Soil

Per the USDA’s Bonneville County Area soil survey, silt loam is the dominant soil type across much of the county — a finer, more compact soil than the sandy or heavy-clay ground found in other parts of Idaho. It generally grinds cleanly, but it can pack tightly around older root systems, especially in yards that have gone through a wet spring followed by a dry summer. That’s one more reason we assess each stump on-site rather than quoting blind over the phone.

Permitting & Inspection

Stump grinding on your own property doesn’t require a permit or city inspection in Idaho Falls. The only time it’s worth a quick check with the city first is if the stump sits in the public right-of-way — the boulevard strip between the sidewalk and the street — since that area falls under the city’s community forestry rules rather than being fully your call.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far down do you grind a stump?

Standard grinding goes several inches below grade — enough that you can plant grass, lay sod, or spread mulch right over it. If you're planning to pave over the area or build something on top, let us know during the estimate so we can grind deeper.

What happens to the wood chips from grinding?

We haul the grindings off-site as part of the standard job, but if you'd rather keep them for mulch or fill, just say so during the estimate and we'll leave them on-site instead.

Can you grind a stump without damaging nearby sprinklers, fences, or pavers?

Yes — this is exactly why we assess the site before quoting. We'll flag anything close to the stump that needs hand-digging or extra care around it, so there are no surprises during the job.

Can I plant a new tree where the old stump was?

Once the stump is ground down and the area's leveled, you can typically replant right away, though we'd recommend clearing out larger root fragments near the surface first for the new tree's roots to establish well.

Do you remove the tree and the stump in the same visit?

We can, if you'd like — just ask for both when you request an estimate. Some customers prefer to have the tree removed first and grind the stump later, which works fine too. See our tree removal page for details on that side of the job.