Reclaim Your Yard From Old Tree Stumps
When a tree comes down, the stump stays behind. It catches mower blades, trips people, blocks planting and keeps reminding you of a job half finished. Left alone, it can also decay slowly and send up sprouts, depending on the species.
Giraffe Tree Service, a locally owned Little Rock business founded in 1996, handles stump grinding and stump removal for homeowners, businesses, property managers and municipalities in Little Rock and nearby counties. Our stump grinding equipment handles stumps of any size and leaves the area ready for new planting, and our crews clean up all debris and protect your landscaping while they work.
The stump may be left from a tree we took down, from a storm, or from a tree someone else removed long ago. Either way, we can look at it and recommend what to do. If you are clearing more than a few stumps, such as an entire wooded property, see our lot clearing page.
Stump Grinding vs. Full Stump Removal
The two options are often confused, and the right one depends on what you want to do with the space.
Stump grinding
A grinder cuts the stump into wood chips, down below the soil surface. The roots are left in the ground to decay naturally. Grinding is the usual choice because it leaves the lawn and surrounding plants largely undisturbed. It suits most yards where you plan to replant grass, put in a flower bed or plant a new tree.
Full stump removal
Full removal means digging out the stump and its larger roots. It is far more disruptive than grinding and leaves a large hole to fill, so it generally only comes up where leftover roots would be in the way, such as a spot that is going to be built on or paved.
For most yards, grinding is the right answer. Tell us how you plan to use the space, and if you are planning to build or pave over the spot, mention it when we look at the stump so we can talk through what the site needs.
Why Remove a Tree Stump?
- Safety. Stumps hide in grass and are easy to trip over, especially for kids and anyone carrying something.
- Easier mowing and yard work. No more working around a stump or nicking mower blades.
- Replanting. A new tree, a flower bed or fresh grass needs the space the stump is taking up.
- Appearance. Whether you are selling, building or just tidying up, a leftover stump makes a yard look unfinished.
- Sprouts and decay. Some stumps send up shoots, and rotting wood can attract insects and fungus.
Removing a stump yourself is harder than it looks. Grinders are heavy, and rocks, roots and buried objects can make the work unpredictable. For most homeowners, it is a job best left to a professional crew.
How Our Stump Removal Works
- We look at the stump and its surroundings: its size, how close it is to buildings, fences, walkways and plantings, and what you want to put there next.
- You get a free estimate, with no hidden fees.
- Our crew grinds the stump with equipment that handles stumps of any size, working carefully around what is nearby.
- We clean up all debris and protect your landscaping while we work.
If you know where utilities, sprinkler lines or other buried items run, tell us before work starts. They are not always visible from the surface, and it helps the crew plan. Ready to get started? Contact us to set up a visit.
After the Stump Is Gone
Grinding leaves a patch of wood chips and soil where the stump was. What happens next is up to you.
The wood chips
Chips can be used as mulch around other plants or raked back into the hole as fill.
Replanting
The area is ready for new planting. If you are planting grass, rake the spot smooth and seed or lay sod as you would on any bare patch. If you are planting a new tree or shrub, ask us about the best spot first, because a freshly ground stump site can settle and the soil may need some work.
If sprouts appear
Some species can send up shoots from roots left in the ground, even after the stump has been ground. If that happens, cut them back and let us know, and we can recommend next steps.
Stump Removal FAQs
Can you grind a stump that is close to my house, fence or sidewalk?
Often, yes. Stumps near buildings and hardscape are a normal part of the work, and the crew takes care to protect what is nearby. We will look at how much room there is and what surrounds the stump, and tell you what we recommend before work begins.
Can you grind a stump from a tree someone else cut down?
Yes. The stump does not have to be from one of our jobs. It can be recent or long dead, and large stumps are no problem for our equipment. Tell us about the stump and what you plan for the space, and we will take it from there.
How deep do you grind?
We grind below the soil surface so the stump is gone and the area is ready for planting. Exactly how deep depends on the stump and what you plan to put there, so tell us whether you want grass, a flower bed or a new tree.
Can I plant grass right after a stump is ground?
Yes, the area is ready for new planting. Rake out or level the chips, add topsoil where the ground is low, then seed or lay sod. Keep an eye on the spot over time, since the ground can settle as the old roots decay.
Do you take care of several stumps on one property?
Yes. Properties often have more than one stump, and we can look at them all together and give you one estimate. If trees and brush are also being cleared, our lot clearing service can cover the whole job.
