Stump Grinding Cost in MA (2026)

Stump grinding in Massachusetts costs $150 to $300 per stump for most residential jobs. The price depends on stump diameter, access for equipment, and how many stumps you need ground. McDonald Tree Service has been grinding stumps across Middlesex County since 1995 — here is exactly what you should expect to pay.

How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost?

Here is the pricing breakdown for stump grinding in our 18-town service area:

Stump Diameter	Cost per Stump	Time	Notes
Under 12 inches	$150 – $200	30–45 min	Small ornamental trees, birch, crabapple
12 – 24 inches	$200 – $250	45–60 min	Medium maple, ash, most common stumps
24 – 36 inches	$250 – $300	60–90 min	Large oak, maple. Hardwoods take longer
36+ inches	$300+	90+ min	Very large oaks, multi-trunk trees

Volume Discounts

Number of Stumps	Discount	Why
1 stump	Standard pricing	Full mobilization cost
2–3 stumps	10–15% per stump	Equipment already on-site
4–6 stumps	15–20% per stump	Dedicated half-day job
7+ stumps	20–25% per stump	Full-day commitment, best rates

If we are already on-site for a tree removal, stump grinding costs even less because the equipment is already there and mobilization is already covered.

What Affects Stump Grinding Cost?

Stump Size (Diameter)

The diameter of the stump is the primary cost driver. A 10-inch birch stump grinds in 20 minutes. A 36-inch oak stump is dense hardwood that takes over an hour of grinding. The machine does the work, but hardwood dulls the teeth faster and takes more passes.

Access

Our stump grinder needs to get to the stump. If it is in the front yard next to the driveway, no problem. If it is behind a fence in the back corner with a narrow gate, we may need a smaller machine or additional time to get set up. Tight-access jobs in dense neighborhoods like those in Woburn, Winchester, and older parts of Lowell can add to the cost.

Root Exposure

Some stumps have large surface roots that need grinding too — especially maples and willows. If you want the root flares ground down for a clean lawn, that adds surface area and time. We include reasonable root grinding in our standard pricing.

Grinding Depth

Standard depth is 6–12 inches below grade. That is enough for grass or garden beds. If you are building a patio, pouring a foundation, or planting a new tree in the same spot, we can go deeper — 18 to 24 inches. Deeper grinding takes more time and costs accordingly.

Stump Grinding vs. Stump Removal: Which Do You Need?

Stump grinding removes the stump and major roots to below grade. The root system stays in the ground and decomposes naturally over several years. This is what 95% of homeowners need.

Full stump removal (also called stump extraction) means pulling the entire stump and root ball out of the ground with an excavator. This is significantly more expensive ($500–$1,500+), tears up the surrounding area, and is only necessary for construction where subsurface roots would interfere with foundations or utilities. Read our full stump grinding vs. removal comparison.

Towns We Serve for Stump Grinding

McDonald Tree Service provides stump grinding across 18 towns in Middlesex County and the Merrimack Valley: Billerica (home base), Chelmsford, Lowell, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Burlington, Bedford, Carlisle, Dracut, Westford, Andover, Woburn, Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Winchester, Acton, and Waltham.

Call (978) 375-2272 for a free estimate. We will come look at your stump — or stumps — and give you a price that will not change.