Patcham, Brighton
Seven trees out in a day, stumps ground
One of seven trees we took out of this garden in Patcham in a single day, with the stumps ground out afterwards.
Stump Grinding & Removal
Left with an ugly stump after a tree came down? We grind it out below ground level so you can turf over it, plant something new, or just have your garden back the way you want it.
Overview
What to expect
Once a tree comes down, you're left with the stump, and it's not just an eyesore. Stumps are trip hazards, they can harbour diseases like honey fungus that spread to your other trees, and some species will keep sending up new shoots that you have to keep cutting back. Grinding it out is the quickest, cleanest way to get rid of it, and it's far less disruptive than trying to dig it out with a mini digger.
We grind the stump and its major surface roots down to about 150–300mm below ground level. How deep depends on what you want to do with the space afterwards. A shallow grind is fine for turfing, while a deeper grind is better if you want to replant a tree or lay paving in the same spot. The grinding produces a mix of soil and wood chip that we use to fill the hole, or we can remove it and bring in topsoil if you prefer a cleaner finish.
Worried about access? Our machines range from narrow pedestrian grinders that fit through a standard garden gate, right up to bigger tracked machines for large stumps and site clearances. We can grind stumps in lawns, borders, driveways, and right up against walls and fences. If we're already felling a tree for you, we can grind the stump on the same visit to save you time and money. We also regularly deal with old stumps left behind by previous contractors.
Our Process
How It Works
1
We check the stump and access
We look at the stump size and location, and check how to get our machine in. If access is tight, we have narrow grinders that fit through a standard garden gate or side passage.
2
We check for underground services
Before we start, we make sure there are no water pipes, gas mains, electric cables, or drains underneath. We'll ask you about anything you know about services in your garden.
3
We protect the surrounding area
The area around the stump is cleared and ground sheets are laid to catch the grindings and protect your lawn or borders. Any old nails, stones, or metal are removed from the stump first.
4
The stump is ground out
We grind the stump down to the agreed depth below ground level. The major surface roots are ground out too, which stops most regrowth and gives you a level finish.
5
We fill the hole and tidy up
The hole is backfilled with the grindings, or we can remove them and bring in topsoil if you want a cleaner finish. The area is raked level and left tidy.
Included
What's Included
Free site visit and no-obligation quote
Stump ground to the depth you need
Surface roots ground out to prevent regrowth
Narrow-access machines for tight gardens
Hole backfilled with grindings as standard
Topsoil backfill available if you prefer
All excess waste removed
Covered by £10m public liability insurance
Recent work
See all our work
Recent Stump Grinding Jobs
Hurstpierpoint
Removing a conifer hedge and grinding out the stumps
A line of conifers taken out along the garden wall, with every stump ground out below the surface so the border is ready to replant with something less intrusive.
Horsham
Dismantling three large oaks and grinding the stumps
Working for another local tree surgery firm, we dismantled three very large oaks and ground out the stumps. The drop zone was tight, so everything was lowered slowly and safely, and the whole job was done and cleared away in three days.
“Great work from start to finish. Ant and the team carried out a balanced reduction of our beech tree, a hard-reshape of a yew and removed a bay tree. Professional, tidy and experts at what they do.”
“Antony has looked after my garden trees and shrubs for some years now and his work is of high quality. The latest job involved pruning the overhanging trees from my neighbour’s garden - a task he performed very expertly. Antony is always prompt and polite and his charges are competitive. Well done.”
“Brilliant work by Antony and Paddy today. Very thorough, tidy and, in summary, an extremely professional job. I would fully recommend AG Garden and Tree to anyone.”
Plus 9.9/10 from over 200 Checkatrade reviews since 2017
Pricing Guide
Read our full Sussex tree surgery price guide
What does stump grinding cost?
As a typical guide, grinding out a single stump costs £100–£300, depending on its diameter, species, and access. Several stumps done in one visit bring the per-stump price down, and if we're felling the tree for you, a combined price is cheaper than booking removal and grinding separately.
These are guide ranges, not commitments. Every job gets a free fixed written quote before we start.
FAQ
Stump Grinding: Common Questions
How deep does the stump grinder go?
Usually between 150mm and 300mm below ground level, enough for turfing or planting shrubs. If you want to replant a tree in the same spot or lay paving, we can go deeper. Just tell us what you're planning and we'll adjust.
Can you grind a stump near a wall or fence?
Yes. Our machines can work close to walls, fences, and other structures. In really tight spaces we have smaller equipment that can get in. The only limit is we can't grind closer than about 50mm to a solid structure without risking damage to it.
Will stump grinding damage my lawn?
There'll be some disturbance right around the stump, but we protect the rest of your lawn with ground sheets. The affected patch can be re-turfed or reseeded once we're done. For stumps in the middle of a nice lawn, we take extra care during access.
Can the area be replanted after grinding?
Absolutely. Once the stump is out and the hole filled with topsoil, you can plant new trees, shrubs, or turf. We recommend letting the soil settle for a few weeks first. If the tree was removed due to disease, we can advise on which species are safe to replant in the same spot.
How much does stump grinding cost?
A single stump typically costs £100–£300 to grind out, depending on its diameter and how easy it is to get the machine to it. If we're removing the tree as well, a combined price works out cheaper than booking the two jobs separately. Every job gets a free fixed written quote before we start.
Get in touch
Get a Free Quote
Send us a few photos on WhatsApp for a quick estimate, or fill in the form and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.
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Stump Grinding
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Where we offer this service
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