A grinder chews the stump into chips, below the level of the lawn. It is the cheaper of the two ways to deal with a stump, and for a spot that is going back to grass, it is usually all you need.
What a stump costs to grind
Companies here price by the diameter of the stump, measured at its widest point at ground level, with a minimum charge for showing up.
| Jones Tree and Plant Care, Smithtown (Aug 2026) | Green Light Tree Services, Nassau County (Jul 2026) | Long Island Tree Pros, Huntington (Apr 2026) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per inch of diameter | $2 to $6 | $2 to $5 | |
| Typical single stump | $150 to $400 | $150 to $500 | $100 to $350 |
| Minimum or trip fee | $75 to $160 | $100 to $150 | |
| Each extra stump, same visit | $30 to $60 | $40 to $70 less than the first | |
| 12-inch stump | $150 to $200 | ||
| 30-inch oak stump | $300 to $500 or more | $175 to $250 |
Green Light adds 15 to 20 percent for hardwoods like oak over a softwood stump of the same width. A small bush stump, about 6 inches, runs $75 to $100 by their numbers, though the minimum fee can make it more.
How deep it should go
Tell the company what is going on the spot, because that sets the depth.
- Lawn: Green Light grinds 4 to 6 inches below grade. Jones calls 6 to 8 inches standard.
- Patio, raised bed or deep-rooted plants: Green Light goes 8 to 12 inches.
Deeper grinding takes longer, and Jones says it adds to the price.
What is left in the ground
Grinding leaves a pile of chips and the tree’s root system. Jones says the roots break down on their own over years, and that the ground-up spot can be filled and seeded, since sandy Long Island soil reseeds well. Green Light says you can keep the chips as mulch or have them hauled away, which may cost extra. Ask which one the price includes.
If a footing, a pool or a patio is going where the tree stood, grinding may not be enough. Stump removal covers digging out the roots and what that costs.
Call 811 before the grinder starts
A grinder goes into the soil, and gas and electric lines run under Long Island lawns. PSEG Long Island says to call 811 at least two and no more than 10 business days before any digging, that the call is free, and to dig only by hand within 2 feet of a marked line. Green Light says it has lines located and marked before it grinds. Ask the company you hire whether they make the call or expect you to.
Grind it on the same day as the removal
Long Island Best Tree Service says a standard removal quote does not include the stump unless it says so. Long Island Tree Pros takes 15 to 20 percent off stump work when it is booked with the removal. If a tree is coming down anyway, ask for the stump on the same quote.
Renting a grinder yourself
Green Light puts a rental at $85 to $400 a day, plus $25 to $75 for delivery. For one small stump in an open yard, that can be close to what a company charges, and you still need the 811 call.