Frequently Asked Questions

Stump removal is important for a number of reasons, including aesthetics and safety. Stumps can be difficult to mow around and be an eye-sore in the yard. Additionally, many trees leave behind extensive root systems that remain even after being cut down. Stump grinding will remove these roots, eliminating tripping hazards and allowing even grass growth throughout your yard. Remaining stumps can also become home to pests like termites and ants, which if left unattended can make their way into your home.

Stump grinders are powerful machines with a large cutting wheel similar to a circular saw. This machine is designed to rotate and chew away at the wood of a stump, grinding it into small wood chips. This process is done until the entire stump is ground to well below ground level. The depth to which the stump is ground is dependent on the project at hand. For instance, if the goal is to plant a new tree in the existing stump site, the stump will be ground deeper than if the area will simply be filled in and covered with grass. The goal is to prepare the area for whatever comes next!

Stump grinding results in a LOT of wood chips, far more than you think. After a stump is ground, a large pile of wood chips will be left behind. These can be used to mulch areas around the home, in flower or vegetable gardens, or used in combination with soil to fill the hole left behind by the now-ground stump. Our team will discuss plans each customer’s specific goal for their project prior to beginning the stump grinding process.

We absolutely can! Chip removal is not automatically included in the quoted cost of stump removal, but can be added for an additional fee. Because stump grinding often leaves a large amount of wood chips, additional equipment, man-power and time are often needed. This does come with an additional cost, and therefore many customers prefer to handle chip cleanup on their own.

Our team will determine if it is necessary to have utilities marked at the time of your free estimate. If there is concern for nearby utility lines-- our team will handle the entire process of having these marked on your behalf. There is nothing you need to do! It is important to note that if the stump is near utility lines, our team cannot complete your job until lines are marked. Getting this completed can take several days depending on the availability of the marking company. We unfortunately have no control over this part of the process.

Stump grinders are available for rent by homeowners at some hardware and rental stores. These grinders will be smaller and less powerful than those used by professionals, and they may or may not be able to complete your project successfully. While renting may seem like a more affordable option, there is additional risk of injury or property damage. Our team has extensive knowledge as well as insurance if any damage were to occur. So while this may be a great option for a small project, we highly recommend giving us a call for your larger and more complex projects!

Hoosier Stump Remover is primarily a stump grinding business. There are some instances where we are able to remove small trees and shrubs, and we have excellent working relationships with several reputable tree services in the area. However, if you are looking for large tree removal or removal of trees from damaged property, we are unable to offer those services at this time.

No! Our team often works while the homeowner is away. Provided we have looked at the project together during the estimate and discussed the expectations, the homeowner does not need to be present while work is being completed. Our team will send a photo and invoice upon completion of the job.

For one stump, the process can take as little as 20-30 minutes or as long as 2 hours, depending on the size of the stump, location, and landscape/obstacles surrounding the area. Projects with multiple stumps can take several hours. Our team strives to be as quick and efficient as possible.

We take great pride in leaving all projects better than we found them. Our team uses metal shields surrounding the stump grinder for any grinding that is done near the home, windows, or fencing. This prevents any loose wood chips or rocks from causing damage to surrounding areas. We can also use wood or mats in the grass if needed to prevent ruts in wet areas. If the area is particularly wet, our team may wait a few days for drier weather in order to minimize damage to your lawn.