When trees pose risks to human life and property, the best resort is to get rid of the stump. Often, these tree stumps are unsightly and get in the way of maintaining the aesthetics of your landscape.
The cost to remove a tree stump will vary depending on a variety of things. According to HomeAdvisor, $316 is the national average stump removal cost. Most professional tree service companies charge from $2 to $5 per inch of diameter of the stump. In addition, they charge a minimum of around $100 for the first stump.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Stump Removal
Diameter of the Stump
The bigger the tree stump, the more complex the root system and the more it will cost. Since most companies charge according to the tree’s diameter, you can expect to pay around $2 to $3 per inch of diameter. A large stump takes more time and effort to grind than a small stump on level ground, which means higher prices.
Total Number of Stumps
Sometimes, companies offer a discount on subsequent stumps if you have more than one stump that needs to be removed. This means you will only pay the full price of $100 for the first stump and $30-$50 for each additional stump.
Location
If your tree is located in a hard-to-reach area like a hill or treacherous terrain, the tree professional may also charge more since it requires more labor and time to complete the job.
Tree Age
Older and drier trees are usually easier to remove and grind. This is because they have already decayed to a certain extent. Meanwhile, wet wood or trees that were just cut down can be difficult to eliminate and chop out.
Tree Type
Different tree species require varying levels of effort to remove them. Hardwood trees like aspen, birch, elm, hickory, and oak will take longer to grind and additional costs. After grinding, removing the smaller chips of dense hardwood trees left behind may add to the project’s overall cost. On the other hand, softwood trees like pine and spruce are easier to grind, thus lesser stump removal expenses.
How Stump Grinding Works
Electric or gas stump grinders have powerful blades that can roll up to the stump, rip into the wood, and grind it into little pieces. The blade’s sharp teeth will cut stump wood into chips and create lots of sawdust and mulch until it is below ground level.
Stump Grinder Rental Cost
There are stump grinders and machinery available for homeowners who want to try DIY stump grinding rather than hire a professional. Rented stump grinders are usually smaller and more lightweight, so you will likely spend more time operating them. Half-day rates are around $200, while you will pay 280 and $310 for a full day’s rental.
Hire A Tree Professional to Remove Your Stump
Grinding out and removing the tree stump yourself is not an easy job. You need the skills and right wood-chewing equipment like chainsaws, axes, pruners, swivels, safety glasses, and leather gloves to get the job done properly.
To make things easier, you can use chemicals or rent a stump grinder, but you might still end up working for hours if you are not an expert. Let Midstate Tree Service of Harrisburg remove any stubborn stumps in your landscape. Hiring certified and insured professionals to do it for you is the most viable option if you want your project to be done quickly and efficiently.
Forget about DIY stump grinding and removal projects! Call us, and we’ll show you what we can do!
