STUMP GRINDING

Site Evaluation

We assess the stump’s size, age, species, and location. This helps us select the right machine and determine how deep we need to grind.

Grinding the Stump

Using commercial-grade stump grinders, we grind the stump 8–12 inches below ground level, depending on the intended use of the area.

Root Grinding

If surface roots are creating bumps, lifting sidewalks, or causing lawn issues, we can grind those too.

Cleanup and Mulch

Stump grinding produces mulch-like wood chips. You may choose to keep the chips for landscaping, have us haul them away, or have us backfill the area and level the ground. We tailor cleanup to your needs.

🪵 Why Remove a Tree Stump?

Grinding a stump has several benefits:

  • Improves safety by removing tripping hazards

  • Eliminates hiding spots for insects like carpenter ants, termites, and beetles

  • Prevents regrowth that can happen with certain tree species

  • Improves curb appeal by creating a clean, level, finished look

  • Makes mowing easier with no obstacles in your yard

  • Frees space for landscaping, planting, or new construction

A stump may seem harmless, but over time it can cause problems. Grinding it early is the best long-term solution.

Stump Grinding vs. Stump Removal

Many homeowners ask about the difference:

Stump Grinding

  • Most common method

  • Fast and cost-effective

  • Grinds stump below the surface

  • Roots remain but typically decay naturally

  • No major excavation

Stump Removal

  • Less common due to yard disruption

  • Entire stump and root system pulled out

  • Requires excavation equipment

  • Used for construction or regrading

We can explain both options and recommend the best solution for your property.

Access Is Never a Problem

Cabling and bracing can help:

  • Prevent dangerous limb or trunk failure

  • Protect your home, roof, vehicles, and surrounding property

  • Extend the life of important or historic trees

  • Reduce the risk of storm damage

  • Support trees with poor natural structure

  • Preserve the natural beauty of your landscape

In many cases, reinforcement saves trees that homeowners want to keep—but may otherwise lose.

 FAQs

  • Most stumps take 15–60 minutes, depending on size.

  • Yes—after removing chips and adding fresh soil.

  • They remain underground and slowly decompose.

  • No—grinding stops regrowth for nearly all species.

  • Our team contains debris and handles full cleanup.

Leftover tree stumps can be more than an eyesore; they can attract pests, create tripping hazards, and interfere with lawn care or new landscaping. High Falls Tree Service provides fast, efficient, and thorough stump grinding services to restore your yard and give you back clear, usable space.

With multiple stump grinding machines, large, medium, and compact, we can access almost any stump in any location, including tight backyards, fenced areas, slopes, and narrow gates. Regardless of the stump size, we have the right equipment for the job.

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “High Falls Tree Service was a total class act… perfect shaping of the trees and an immaculately clean lawn.”

    — David E., Rochester, NY

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “Great experience…routine maintenance and trimming for a magnolia, Japanese maple and spruce…thoughtfully trimmed.”

    — Judith F-K., Rochester, NY

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “Thank you so much, High Falls Tree Service. Best tree service in town.”

    — Karen S., Webster, New York

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “High Falls Tree Service, LLC did an awesome job trimming tree limbs away from my house. Squirrels were hopping onto my roof using the branches. Thank you for your great tree trimming service and excellent customer service. I enjoyed working with you and was very satisfied with the complete job and price!”

    — Peter B., Rochester, New York

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “An ENORMOUS tree fell on the roof and had to be removed ASAP. They picked up the phone! They promised to be there, and they came in less than 12 hours. The job was a mess - huge tree, damage to the roof, house surrounded by trees. It was not an easy removal project, but they did it quickly and with minimal collateral damage. It was fantastic!””

    — Anonymous

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “High Falls Tree Service was a total class act from start to finish! We had a massive tree on our roof that was difficult to get to. They did a fantastic job getting it down, and their cleanup was above and beyond what I expected! Thanks, guys!”

    — Ella V., Rochester, New York

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “High Falls, your people did a great job! We are very satisfied with your company. Thank you!”

    — Tom M., Irondequoit, New York

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “Incredible experience working with a team like this.”

    — Aaron R., Rochester, New York

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “High Falls Tree is excellent. Their prices are extremely reasonable. The crew came as scheduled and worked nonstop. They were very polite and went above and beyond. I wanted to keep the tree wood, and they stacked it all for me. They had to avoid power lines, the garage roof, the patio roof, all of my lilacs, and my shed. This was done perfectly. If you want a great tree service, select High Falls.”

    — Nancy D., Rochester, New York

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “The High Falls Tree Service staff did a BEAUTIFUL job removing some large limbs overhanging our house, and thereby lowering our home insurance bill! Perfect shaping of the trees and an immaculately clean lawn and driveway when they left. Couldn’t be happier!”

    — David E., Rochester, New York

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “High Falls Tree Service did an impressive job at my neighbor’s house.”

    — Kathryn S., Fairport, New York

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “Great professional work! Very attentive and prompt service even “off hours”!”

    — Ellen K., Rochester, New York

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “High Falls has been great to us! Highly recommend them!”

    — Kathy R., Rochester, New York

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “Thank you for shedding light on our backyard! Very professional, fast, and knowledgeable. They were able to remove branches intertwined with the wires in our backyard that RG&E wouldn’t trim. Highly recommend them. Fast and cleaned up like they were never there.”

    — Meaghan S., Rochester, New York

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “Amazing customer service & such a skilled crew. We keep having them back. They have taken down a huge pine with needlecast, raised the canopy on our Pin-oak & Locust & today hand-trimmed my precious Magnolia, cleaned up our high Maple, raised the canopy & re-hung my kids’ tree swing. It just doesn’t get any better than that! Will look forward to having them out for the fourth time.”

    — Lori S., Rochester, New York

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “This is for the tree taken down at my daughter’s - HUGE! It was gone in a flash, and the stump ground out. Great work! Punctual! Highly recommended!”

    — Gina M., Irondequoit, New York

  • Why Homeowners Choose High Falls Tree Service

    “You never know what you are going to get when you call for a contracting service. The best you can do is get recommendations. You can read the reviews on Yelp or Google. That was the case for my call for tree service. I read reviews and called a couple of companies. Some of them never returned my calls. High Falls Tree Service returned my call promptly, and the work was amazing. We had a 60-70ft pine dying in our front yard. They came out to remove it and said it would take two hours. Not only were they done in less than two hours, but they also cleaned up all the debris and chips in our driveway, my neighbors’ driveway, the street in front of the house, and even our little front porch. They were fast, efficient, and worked beautifully as a team. If you need tree guys, call for them.”

    — Doug S., Kings Ferry, New York

  • WHY HOMEOWNERS CHOOSE HIGH FALLS TREE SERVICE

    “I could not have asked for better service for the removal of a large tree from my yard than I received from High Falls. The quote was given the same day, and service was rendered on schedule. They needed to avoid my home, patio, shed, and a hot tub, and did so with the right equipment and crew, with no damage. They had this tree down in 4 hours, and with total cleanup. Price was very reasonable, and the crew was top-notch, friendly, and courteous. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone.”

    — Lynn Y., Rochester, New York