A leftover stump is more than an eyesore. It's a mower obstacle and a trip hazard, it sprouts stubborn suckers all summer (sweetgum and hackberry stumps are notorious for this), and as it rots it becomes a home for the things you least want near your house — carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, and in Arkansas especially, termites. A decaying stump a few feet from your slab is a standing invitation. Grinding it out closes the buffet, reclaims the space, and lets your yard actually look finished after a tree removal.
Most people searching for "tree stump removal" want what the trade calls stump grinding — and that's almost always the right call. The two get used interchangeably, but they're different jobs:
There's more on the trade-off — what happens to the roots, what fills the hole, and which one your yard actually needs — in our guide to stump grinding versus stump removal.
Most stump work is residential — a single stump left behind in a back yard, or four or five from a lot that got cleared years ago. Older neighborhoods across Pulaski County tend to be full of long-forgotten stumps from storm losses, and those old dry stumps are usually the quickest and cheapest to grind.
Requests are welcome from across the metro, and each city page covers what's particular about tree work there:
Grinding several stumps in one visit is usually cheaper per stump than booking them separately, so it's worth counting every stump on the property before asking for a price.
| Stump Size (diameter at ground) | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Small (under 12") | $100 – $175 |
| Medium (12" – 24") | $175 – $300 |
| Large (24" – 36") | $300 – $450 |
| Very large (36"+, old-growth oak) | $450 – $650+ |
Measure across the widest point of the stump at ground level, including the flared roots — that's the number that drives the price. Have several stumps? The biggest cost of stump grinding is getting the machine to your property, so additional stumps in the same visit usually cost much less each. A yard with four or five stumps often costs little more than two quoted separately.
Grass, yes — once the chips are removed or settled, add topsoil and sod or seed, and within a season you won't know a tree was there. A new tree in the exact same spot is harder: the soil is full of decomposing wood that ties up nitrogen, and the old root mass is in the way. Best practice is to plant the replacement a few feet to the side, or have the stump ground extra deep and backfilled with clean soil. Mention the goal when you get the quote so the grinding depth matches it.
For nearly every homeowner, grinding is the stump removal they're picturing: the stump is ground below grade so the spot can be sodded, replanted, or mowed straight over. If you genuinely need the root ball excavated because something is being built on that spot, say so when you ask for a quote — full excavation is priced separately.
Most residential stumps take 15–45 minutes of grinding. Even a very large oak stump is usually done within a couple of hours.
Many residential stump grinders are compact enough to fit through a standard gate, and rubber tracks or tires keep lawn impact minimal. Ask about gate width and access when you get your quote.
Usually, yes — the grinding wheel is precise, and working near slabs, sidewalks, and fence lines is routine for an experienced operator, who will grind as close as can be done safely.
Absolutely. Old stumps from long-gone trees, storm breaks, or another company's removal can all be ground, and old dry stumps often grind faster than fresh ones.
Tell us how many stumps you have and roughly how wide they are, and we'll connect you with a local tree pro who can price the job.
Call (501) 403-5953 Request a Quote Online