Stump Grinding & Removal in Montclair, NJ

After a tree comes down — whether from a recent removal or from a tree that was cut years ago — the stump left behind is more than an eyesore. It’s a tripping hazard, a lawn-mower obstacle, and an invitation for wood-decay fungi and wood-boring insects that can spread to healthy trees on your property. Stump grinding is the fastest, cleanest, and most cost-effective way to eliminate a stump and reclaim that section of your yard.

Montclair Trees provides professional stump grinding throughout Montclair and surrounding Essex County communities. We grind stumps to 8–12 inches below grade — deep enough for replanting or sodding over.

Call (201) 305-3754 for a free stump grinding estimate.

How Stump Grinding Works

Stump grinding uses a rotating carbide-toothed cutting wheel to systematically grind the stump and surface roots down to chips. The process is fast — most residential stumps take 30 to 90 minutes depending on diameter and wood density — and leaves no open hole or pit. The resulting wood chips can be raked back to fill the void and used as natural mulch, or we can haul them away with the rest of the debris.

What stump grinding does not do is remove the deep roots that extend out from the stump. Those roots will decay naturally over 3–7 years. For most homeowners, grinding is the right solution — the roots don’t regrow, they don’t cause foundation issues as they decay, and the above-grade problem is completely resolved.

Stump Grinding Pricing in NJ

Stump grinding is typically priced by diameter. In New Jersey, typical pricing runs $100–$200 for stumps under 12 inches in diameter, $150–$300 for stumps 12–24 inches, and $250–$500 or more for very large stumps. Multiple stumps on the same property are almost always cheaper per stump than single jobs. If you’re already having a tree removed, bundling the stump grinding with the removal job typically saves 15–25%.

What Happens After Grinding?

After grinding, you can reseed with grass by adding topsoil and seed over the wood chips, replant with a new tree or shrub in the same spot, leave the wood chips in place as a mulch bed, or add topsoil and sod for an immediate lawn look. Within one growing season of reseeding, you typically won’t be able to tell a tree was ever there.

Call (201) 305-3754 or use our contact form to get a stump grinding quote in Montclair.