---
title: Stump Grinding vs Full Stump Removal
url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/stump-grinding-vs-stump-removal/
business: Battle Born Tree Service
address: 6301 US Highway 50 East, Carson City, NV 89701
phone: 775.232.8243
hours: Office Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm; phones answered seven days a week; 24-hour emergency service
credentials: ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff; Nevada Business License # 20131580674; fully insured
type: Tree service (removal, crane work, pruning, stump grinding, defensible space, snow removal, firewood)
---

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- [The Field Guide](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/)
- Stump grinding vs full stump removal

# What is the difference between stump grinding and stump removal?

Stump grinding shreds the stump into wood chips below ground level and leaves the deeper roots in the ground to decay. Full stump removal digs the stump and main roots out with heavy equipment, which leaves a larger hole and more disturbed soil.

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](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/cottonwoods-keep-prune-or-remove/).

## 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](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/what-happens-to-wood-and-chips/). If you want to plant in the spot, read [planting after stump grinding](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/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](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Avoid%20Utility%20Conflict_0621.pdf) (read October 17, 2026)
- [University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Planting Trees in Northern Nevada Landscapes](https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=2754) (read October 17, 2026)
- [International Society of Arboriculture, Trees Are Good: Why Hire an Arborist](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Why%20Hire%20An%20Arborist_0321.pdf) (read October 17, 2026)

### Talk to the office

[775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243)

| Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Saturday and Sunday | Office closed, phones answered |

Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service.

[Free estimate](#quote)

### Keep reading

- [Stump grinding and stump removal](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/stump-grinding/)
- [Call 811 before stump grinding](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/call-811-before-stump-grinding/)
- [Can you plant after stump grinding?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/planting-after-stump-grinding/)
- [What happens to the wood and chips after a tree job](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/what-happens-to-wood-and-chips/)
- [Backhoe and skid steer services](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/backhoe-skid-steer-services/)
- [Our equipment](https://battleborntreeservice.com/equipment/)

### Terms on this page

[Arborist](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/arborist/)

[The full glossary](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/)

## More from the blog

Pruning and care October 17, 2026 5 min read

### What should you do with your trees in October in Carson City and Reno?

In October, finish watering while the ground is open, look over your trees for dead or hanging limbs, and clear leaves and needles away from the house. Save most live-wood pruning for the dormant seas

Pruning and care October 17, 2026 6 min read

### Young trees in new subdivisions: the first ten years

A young tree in a new subdivision needs very little pruning in its first two or three years, then steady structural pruning to build one strong central trunk and well-spaced branches. The ISA says tre

Removal and equipment October 17, 2026 6 min read

### Where tree debris and green waste go in Reno and Carson City

Green waste has a few legitimate homes in our area: the landfill or transfer station if the load is only wood and green waste, a fire district drop-off day or curbside chipping program if you qualify,

[All posts](https://battleborntreeservice.com/blog/)

## Questions people ask

Still have a question? Call [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243). Phones are answered seven days a week.

### Does stump grinding remove the roots?

It removes the stump to below ground level. Roots deeper than the cut stay in the ground and decay over time.

### Can I plant a tree where a stump was ground?

Yes in many cases, but the site needs preparation. See our guide on planting after stump grinding.

### Do I need to call 811 for stump grinding?

Yes. Call 811 before grinding or digging below grade so buried utilities are marked.

### Is stump grinding included when you remove a tree?

All estimates are tailored to each client. Ask for stump grinding to be listed in the estimate if you want it.