Key takeaways
- Grinding removes the stump to below ground level and leaves a pile of chips; roots deeper down stay and decay.
- Full removal pulls the stump and main roots out, typically with a backhoe or skid steer.
- Battle Born owns both grinding and excavation equipment.
- Call 811 before grinding or digging below grade.
- Ask what is included: the old site FAQ says all estimates are tailored to each client and their needs.
Battle Born lists stump grinding and stump removal as separate services. Most homeowners need grinding. Full removal makes sense when you are building, installing a pool or putting a new tree in the same spot. Here is how to tell them apart.
What grinding does
A stump grinder is a machine with a cutting wheel that chews the stump into chips. The operator works the wheel back and forth across the stump, taking it down to below ground level. What is left is a mound of wood chips and soil where the stump stood, with the roots below the cut still in the ground.
Battle Born says grinding removes the stump from the ground while preventing new growth from the roots. Cottonwoods and some other species can sprout from the stump and roots, so grinding is the usual step after a removal for those trees. See the notes in our cottonwood guide.
What full removal does
Full removal means excavating. Heavy equipment digs around the stump, cuts the large roots and lifts the stump out. We own a backhoe, a skid steer and a Bobcat T870 track loader, which is the kind of equipment this job uses. The result is a larger hole that is backfilled, and a larger area of disturbed soil.
Removal is chosen when something is going to be built where the stump was, or when the ground has to be clear of large wood to a certain depth. If you are not sure, ask for both options in the estimate.
Side by side
| Grinding | Full removal | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Cutting wheel shreds the stump | Excavation with a backhoe or skid steer |
| What is left | Wood chips and the roots below the cut | A hole, backfilled, with large roots out |
| Ground disturbance | Limited to the stump area | Wider and deeper |
| Typical reason | Clear the stump, plant grass or reuse the area | Build, pave, install a pool or a utility, or replant a tree on the same spot |
| Before you start | Call 811 | Call 811 |
What to do about the chips
Grinding leaves a pile of chips, sometimes several wheelbarrows' worth for a big stump. The chips can stay as a mulch surface, be spread across the yard or be hauled away. Ask which is in the estimate. We cover the options in what happens to the wood and chips. If you want to plant in the spot, read planting after stump grinding.
Before the grinder arrives
- Call 811 so buried lines are marked
- Mark sprinkler heads, drip lines, low-voltage lights and anything else that is buried
- Clear a path for equipment, including gates and fences
- Tell the crew about any slope, soft ground or irrigation near the stump
- Ask whether the estimate includes stump grinding when a tree is removed
Is grinding included with removal?
The question comes up often. Our answer, from our own FAQ, is that all estimates are tailored to each client and their needs. Tell us what you want when you call, and the estimate will show what is included. The estimate is free. Battle Born Tree Service has two ISA Certified Arborists on staff, including ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A.
Sources
- International Society of Arboriculture, Trees Are Good: Avoiding Tree and Utility Conflicts (read October 17, 2026)
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Planting Trees in Northern Nevada Landscapes (read October 17, 2026)
- International Society of Arboriculture, Trees Are Good: Why Hire an Arborist (read October 17, 2026)