Stump grinding in Wisconsin typically runs $100 to $400 per stump, or about $3 to $5 per inch of trunk diameter, with most yard stumps landing in the $150 to $300 range. Grinding several stumps in one visit costs less per stump than a single one-off. The price comes down to the stump's diameter, how hard the wood is, the spread of the root flare, and whether we can get a machine to it.
We grind stumps out of Oxford, WI across Marquette, Adams, Waushara, and the surrounding counties. Some are a single maple stump a homeowner has been mowing around for three summers. Some are a whole row left behind after a lot got cleared or an old fence line came out. The number is different for every yard, but the things that move it are the same. Here is how stump grinding is priced in central Wisconsin and how to know what your job will run.
How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost in Wisconsin?
Most stump grinding around here is priced two ways: a flat price per stump after a look, or by the inch of trunk diameter measured across the widest part at ground level. A single small stump carries a minimum charge because it still takes a trip out and a machine running. The bigger the stump and the wider the root flare, the more grinding it takes. Here is the range you can expect by stump size.
| Stump Size | Diameter at Ground | Common Examples | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 12 in | Young birch, ornamental, small pine | $100 to $150 |
| Medium | 12 to 24 in | Box elder, smaller maple, ash | $150 to $250 |
| Large | 24 to 36 in | Mature oak, maple | $250 to $400 |
| Very large | 36 in and up | Big yard oak, old cottonwood | $400 and up |
These are working ranges, not a quote. Two stumps the same width can land at different prices once you factor in the wood and where they sit. We give you a flat price for the job after a free look, so you see the number before the grinder runs. When there are several stumps, we price the batch, which comes out lower per stump than doing them one at a time.
What Drives the Price Up or Down
- Diameter and root flare. A stump that flares wide at the base is a lot more wood to grind than a narrow one, even at the same trunk size. We measure across the widest part at ground level for a reason.
- Hard wood versus soft. Oak and hickory are dense and slower to grind than aspen, box elder, or pine. A big oak stump runs more than a soft stump the same width.
- How many you have. One stump carries the minimum trip charge. A dozen stumps on the same lot spreads that trip across all of them, so the per-stump price drops.
- Access. If we can drive the grinder straight to the stump, the work goes fast. A stump boxed into a fenced backyard with a narrow gate takes more setup, and that adds to the price.
- Grind depth. A standard grind takes the stump a few inches below grade. Going deeper to replant a tree or pour a slab is more grinding and runs a little more.
- Rocks and dirt in the stump. Stumps that have been buried or pushed into a pile pick up grit and stones that dull the grinder teeth. A clean above-ground stump is cheaper than one full of sand and rock.
Stump Grinding vs. Stump Removal: What Is the Difference?
People use the two words like they mean the same thing, but they do not. Grinding and full removal leave you with very different yards and very different bills.
| Stump Grinding | Full Stump Removal | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Grinds the stump and surface roots into chips below grade | Digs out the whole stump and root ball |
| Hole left behind | Small, filled with grindings | Large crater that needs fill and grading |
| Cost | $100 to $400 per stump | Higher, more machine time and cleanup |
| Best for | Most yards, lawns, replanting nearby | Building site, septic, where the root ball must be gone |
For almost every homeowner, grinding is the right call. It is faster, cheaper, and it does not tear up the rest of the yard. Full stump removal makes sense when you are putting a foundation, a shed, or a driveway over the spot and the roots cannot stay. We do both and we will tell you which one your project actually needs.
How Deep Does Stump Grinding Go?
A standard grind takes the stump down four to six inches below grade, which is enough to get grass growing over it and mow the spot without hitting wood. If you want to plant a new tree or shrub in the same hole, we grind deeper, usually eight to twelve inches, so there is loose soil and chips instead of a solid root mass. For a patio slab or a post footing, we go deeper still. Tell us what is going over the spot and we set the depth to match.
One thing worth knowing in our area: a grind takes out the stump and the surface roots, not every root running out under the lawn. Those leftover roots rot away on their own over a couple of years. For most species that is the end of it. A few, like aspen and box elder, can throw up suckers from those roots, so if you are grinding one of those we will talk through what to expect.
What Happens to the Hole and the Wood Chips?
Grinding turns the stump into a pile of chips mixed with soil. By default we rake those back into the hole and tamp them down, which leaves a low mound that settles flat over a few weeks as it packs in. If you would rather we haul the grindings off and bring in clean topsoil so you can seed right away, we can do that for a little more. The chips themselves make fine mulch for a trail or a tree ring if you want to keep them on site.
When Does It Pay to Grind a Whole Batch?
Stumps tend to come in groups around here, and a batch is where grinding gets cheap per stump. A few common ones we see across Montello, Westfield, and the rest of the area:
- A cleared lot. If you just had a building site or a yard opened up, the leftover stumps grind out in one visit. Pairing that with the original lot clearing is the cleanest way to get a flat, usable site.
- Dead ash from emerald ash borer. EAB has killed a lot of ash through central Wisconsin. Once those come down, the stumps are usually soft and grind fast, and grinding a whole yard of them at once keeps the per-stump price down.
- An old fence line or windbreak. A row of stumps from an old pine windbreak or a pulled fence line prices as a batch, which beats grinding them one by one.
- After tree removal. Grinding is the natural last step after a tree removal, since the crew and the access are already there.
If you are looking at more than a handful of stumps mixed in with brush and saplings on a larger piece, grinding each one is the slow way to do it. Forestry mulching grinds standing brush and small trees into mulch in a single pass and can take small stumps with it, which is often the better value when you are clearing for a food plot or a building site. We will look at what you have and tell you whether it is a grinding job or a mulching job.
Get a Free Stump Grinding Estimate
We grind stumps, remove trees, and clear land across central Wisconsin, including Oxford, Montello, Westfield, Portage, Baraboo, Wisconsin Dells, and the surrounding 8 counties. Whether it is one maple stump in the front yard or a whole cleared lot full of them, we will come look and give you a straight price. Call (608) 450-1066 or request your free estimate online.
Last updated: June 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About Stump Grinding in Wisconsin
How much does stump grinding cost in Wisconsin?
Most stump grinding runs $100 to $400 per stump, or about $3 to $5 per inch of trunk diameter, with the average yard stump landing in the $150 to $300 range. A single small stump carries a minimum charge. Grinding several stumps in one visit costs less per stump than a one-off job. We give a flat price after a free on-site look.
What is the difference between stump grinding and stump removal?
Stump grinding chips the stump and surface roots down below grade and leaves a small hole filled with grindings. Full stump removal digs out the entire stump and root ball, which leaves a large crater that needs fill and grading. Grinding is faster and cheaper and works for most yards. Full removal is for building sites where the root ball cannot stay.
How deep does stump grinding go?
A standard grind goes four to six inches below grade, enough to grow grass and mow over the spot. For replanting a tree we grind eight to twelve inches deep so there is loose soil instead of a solid root mass. For a slab or a post footing we go deeper. We set the depth based on what is going over the spot.
Is it cheaper to grind several stumps at once?
Yes. A single stump carries a minimum trip charge. When there are several stumps on the same property, that trip cost spreads across all of them, so the per-stump price drops. A cleared lot, an old fence line, or a yard of dead ash all price out cheaper as a batch than grinding one stump at a time.
What happens to the hole and the wood chips after grinding?
Grinding turns the stump into chips mixed with soil. By default we rake those back into the hole and tamp them down, leaving a low mound that settles flat over a few weeks. If you want to seed right away, we can haul the grindings off and bring in clean topsoil for a little more. The chips also make good mulch for a trail or a tree ring.
Will the tree grow back after the stump is ground?
For most species, no. Grinding takes out the stump and surface roots, and the deeper roots rot away over a couple of years. A few species, like aspen and box elder, can send up suckers from leftover roots, so if you are grinding one of those we will tell you what to expect and how to handle it.
Should I grind stumps or use forestry mulching?
Grind individual stumps when you have a handful in a finished yard. If you are clearing a larger piece with brush, saplings, and small trees mixed in, forestry mulching is usually the better value because it takes everything in one pass and can grind small stumps with it. We look at what you have and tell you which fits.