Stump Grinding in Jonesboro, AR
Jonesboro Master Tree Service does stump grinding in Jonesboro for stumps of every age, from the one we cut this morning to the one the last owner left in 1998. A stump grinder is a machine with a spinning toothed wheel that chews the wood into chips. We take it 6 to 12 inches below the lawn and chase the big surface roots too. We ground around 600 stumps last year, so very little surprises us.
We offer stump grinding to Jonesboro and surrounding Arkansas towns, including Bono, Monette, Lake City, Brookland and Paragould. Got a tree coming down too? Book the tree removal and the grinder comes on the same trip, which costs less than two visits.
Types of Stump Grinding and Stump Removal We Do
Most stump grinding jobs are one of these. The size of the stump and what sits next to it decide which machine we bring.
Single Stump Grinding
One stump in the yard is the most common stump grinding call we get. Most take under an hour. Leave it and it's like a fence post in the middle of a hayfield: you'll mow around it for twenty years. Fair warning: one small stump still carries a minimum fee.
Multiple Stumps at Once
After the first stump, each extra one usually costs a lot less, often $30 to $60 on HomeGuide's 2026 numbers. So walk the whole yard before you call. We've done a fence line of 14 hackberry stumps in one afternoon, and the per-stump price looked very different from a single job.
Large Hardwood Stumps
Big hardwood stumps take time. An old oak or pecan stump wider than a feed barrel can take a couple of hours and the bigger machine. Water oak stumps are often hollow in the middle, which helps a little. We measure across the base, not just the cut top, because that's what the grinder actually chews through.
Surface Root Grinding
Surface roots are the ones you trip over and scalp with the mower. We grind them along with the stump, out as far as you want, usually to where they dive under the grass. Sweetgums and silver maples are the worst for this. It adds time, so we put it on the quote as its own line.
Old Stumps From Past Removals
Old stumps don't always stay quiet. Some keep sending up sprouts every spring, and a soft rotting stump next to the house is a termite welcome mat. Rotten ones grind fast. Last summer we took out a stump so old the homeowner had planted a flower bed in the middle of it.
Grinding Next to Fences, Beds and Driveways
Stumps tight against a fence, a flower bed or the driveway get the smaller machine and a shield to catch flying chips. We lay ground protection mats on the grass so the tracks don't rut it. Concrete stays fine. Sprinkler lines are the one thing we can't see, so flag them before we start.
Grindings Hauled or Left as Mulch
The grindings, a pile of chips and dirt, can stay or go. Gardeners often keep them for beds. If you plan to seed the spot, we rake most of the chips out and leave the hole ready for topsoil. Hauling all of it costs a little more, and it's on the quote both ways.
Why Jonesboro Homeowners Pick Us for Stump Grinding
- Ground 6 to 12 inches down, deep enough for sod
- Big surface roots chased out, not just the stump
- Small machine for tight spots by fences and beds
- Chips left for your beds or hauled, your pick
- Extra stumps priced lower on the same trip
- Written stump grinding price before the grinder starts
Towns we cover from Jonesboro
Storm damage?
24/7 crews during severe weather
How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost in Jonesboro?
Stump grinding usually costs $120 to $400 for the first stump and $30 to $60 for each extra one, according to HomeGuide's 2026 guide. Many crews price it at $2 to $6 per inch across the stump. A huge hardwood stump in a tight corner can run $300 to $800.
| Stump grinding job | Typical price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Per inch of stump diameter | $2 to $6 | HomeGuide, 2026 |
| First stump | $120 to $400 | HomeGuide, 2026 |
| Each extra stump | $30 to $60 | HomeGuide, 2026 |
| Extra-large hardwood stump | $300 to $800 | HomeGuide, 2026 |
| Minimum service fee | $80 to $160 | HomeGuide, 2026 |
| Cleanup and haul-away | $2 to $4 per inch | HomeGuide, 2026 |
These are published ranges, not our quote. Ask anyone how much does stump grinding cost and the honest answer is: measure it first. A 20-inch loblolly pine stump in an open yard is a quick job. A 40-inch oak against a fence is not.
Stump Grinding vs Stump Removal
Stump grinding chews the stump into chips below the grass line and leaves the deep roots to rot. Stump removal means digging the whole stump and root ball out with a machine, which leaves a big hole and a torn-up yard. In our opinion grinding is the right call for nearly every lawn. Removal makes sense only where a new foundation or driveway goes.
What to Do After Stump Grinding
- Rake out most of the chips if you plan to grow grass
- Fill the hole with topsoil, slightly mounded
- Let it settle for a few weeks and top it off
- Seed or lay sod once the soil has settled
- Keep the leftover chips for mulch in flower beds
Stump Grinding FAQ
How deep do you grind a stump?
We grind stumps 6 to 12 inches below the ground, which is deep enough for topsoil and grass or sod. If you plan to plant a new tree in the same spot, tell us. We can go deeper in the middle, or suggest planting a few feet over, which usually works better.
Do the roots die after stump grinding?
In most cases yes. Once the stump is gone the roots slowly rot underground over a few years. A few trees, like sweetgum and silver maple, may push up sprouts for a season. Mow them or snip them and they quit. Nothing needs to be dug.
How long does stump grinding take?
Most stump grinding takes 15 minutes to an hour per stump. A big old oak or a stump with a lot of surface roots can take two hours or more. Several stumps in one yard usually fit in a morning. You don't need to be home if the stumps are easy to reach.
Can you grind a stump near my house or fence?
Yes. Stumps near the house, a fence or the driveway get the smaller grinder and a shield to stop flying chips. We go slow at the edges. The one thing we need from you is where the sprinkler lines, buried cables or the dog's electric fence run, so flag them before we start.
Is stump grinding worth it?
For most yards, yes. A stump trips people, dulls mower blades, sprouts, and draws termites as it rots. Stump grinding costs less than most people expect, especially on the same trip as the tree removal. And you get the spot back for grass, a bed or a new tree.
Tree Looking Worse Every Storm? Get a Written Price.
Tell us what the tree is doing and where it stands. We come out, look at it with you and write the price down before we leave.
Or call (870) 393-5731