A stump left in a Concord yard does three things: it re-sprouts (water oaks, sweetgums and Bradford pears especially), it feeds termites and Armillaria root rot into the next tree, and it costs you a corner of the lawn for a decade while it slowly turns to mush. Grinding it out takes an hour or two with the right machine and the chips make good mulch.
We run a tracked grinder that fits through a 36-inch gate for back-yard stumps and a larger machine for the big oak and pine stumps on open lots. Before we start we locate anything buried nearby — irrigation lines, the septic lateral, the gas service, the cable drop — because a grinder cutting a foot below grade doesn't care what it hits. NC 811 is called for stumps anywhere near a utility route.
What's included
Depth
8–12 inches below grade standard; deeper on request for a replacement tree or a fence post.
Surface roots
The visible roots that lift sidewalks and trip mowers chased back and ground with the stump.
Gate access
Compact tracked grinder fits a 36-inch gate for fenced back yards.
Utility locate
NC 811 called and private lines flagged before we grind near anything buried.
Chips
Raked into the hole, hauled, or left in a pile for your beds — your call.
Backfill & seed
Hole topped with soil and seeded with fescue on request, so it disappears.
Stump grinding cost in Concord, NC
| Job | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small stump (under 12 in. diameter) | $100 – $175 | Minimum charge applies |
| Medium stump (12–24 in.) | $3.50 – $5 per inch | Measured at the ground, widest point |
| Large oak or pine stump (24–48 in.) | $3 – $4.50 per inch | Volume pricing on big ones |
| Surface root chasing | $50 – $150 extra | Depends on spread |
| Multiple stumps, same visit | 10–20% off | Cheapest way to do it |
| Backfill with topsoil and seed | $40 – $90 per stump | Optional |
These are 2026 Cabarrus County ranges so you can budget. Your written price is itemized — removal, rigging or crane, hauling, stump grinding, any paperwork — and good for 30 days.
Recent work
Questions we get about stump grinding
How is stump grinding priced?
By the inch of diameter, measured across the widest point at ground level including any flare, with a minimum charge for small stumps. A 30-inch oak stump at $4 an inch is about $120; chasing surface roots or backfilling is extra.
How deep do you grind?
8 to 12 inches below grade for lawn; deeper if you want to plant a tree in the same spot or set a post. Most stumps don't need to be removed entirely — the remaining roots rot in place over a few years.
Can I plant a new tree where the old one was?
Better to offset it a few feet. The old root mass is still there and the soil is full of chips that tie up nitrogen as they break down. If it has to be the same spot, we grind deep, remove the chips and bring in topsoil.
Will grinding damage my irrigation or septic?
Not if we know where they are. We ask, we look for heads and valve boxes, and we call NC 811 for public utilities. If your septic lateral runs near the stump we'll hand-probe before the grinder goes in.
Do I need to be home?
No. As long as the gate is unlocked and dogs are inside, we can grind, rake and leave you a photo. Payment can be handled by phone or online.