Stump Grinding in Aurora — Below the Grass, Out of the Way

Grinding uses a high-RPM cutting wheel to chew the stump down to wood chips, typically 4-6 inches below grade. The roots stay in the ground and decompose naturally. Stump removal physically excavates the stump and major roots — much more invasive, more expensive, and only necessary if you're putting in a structure foundation, pool, or septic field. For 95% of homeowners, grinding is the right answer.

Standard depth is 4-6 inches below grade — enough for grass to fill in and for normal lawn maintenance to never hit the remaining wood. If you're planning to plant a new tree in the same spot, ask for 12-18 inches (extra charge). If you're doing landscaping or hardscaping (patio, retaining wall) over the spot, we go to whatever depth the project requires.

Most Aurora residential stumps are under 30 inches diameter and we grind them in 30-90 minutes per stump. Larger stumps (mature oak, silver maple, some pines) can be 36-60 inches across and take 2-4 hours each. Stumps that have already partially rotted grind faster than fresh hardwood. Tell us roughly the diameter when you call so we can quote accurately.

Default: we leave the chips piled where the stump was, slightly mounded since they shrink as they settle. You can use them as mulch in flower beds or have us haul them away (small extra fee). DO NOT use fresh wood chips as topsoil for a lawn — they'll rob the soil of nitrogen as they decompose. Wait 6-12 months, or have us replace the chips with topsoil before you reseed.

Yes. By Ontario law (Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, OUINSA, 2012), we file a free locate request with Ontario One Call at least 5 business days before grinding. They mark gas, hydro, telecom, and water lines. We coordinate the locate as part of the job; you do not need to do anything except confirm property access. Same-day grinding is generally not possible because of the locate delay.

Not immediately. The leftover wood chips and decomposing roots tie up soil nitrogen for 6-18 months and create a hostile environment for a young tree's root system. If you want to replant in the same spot, we recommend either (a) grinding deep (12-18 inches), replacing with topsoil, and waiting 6 months, or (b) planting 3-5 feet away from the old stump location. We can advise during the quote.