Do you offer stump grinding in Humble, TX?
Yes. Sticks Tree Service grinds tree stumps below ground level at homes in Humble, TX, whether the tree came down last week or years ago. Trey Lamar’s crew checks the stump, the access and what is buried nearby, then gives a written quote. Call 281-373-1472 to schedule a visit.
Why Humble stumps tend to pile up
Humble’s 2024 ordinance, as reported by Community Impact, requires a permit to remove existing residential trees greater than 4 inches in diameter. When a tree is taken down, the stump is what is left behind, and many homeowners deal with the tree and leave the stump for later. A stump left in the yard is a trip hazard, a mower problem and, in time, a soft spot as the wood rots.
Grinding a stump that is already there is a different job from removing a standing tree. Still, if a tree on your lot has not come down yet, check the permit step with the City of Humble first; see tree removal in Humble for how Sticks helps with the details.
How stump grinding works
- Check for buried lines. Before any grinding, call 811 so marked utility lines show up. Irrigation lines and landscape wiring are not marked by 811, so point them out to the crew.
- Clear and measure. Rocks and loose debris around the stump are moved, and the stump is measured across at ground level.
- Grind. A grinder with a toothed wheel chews the stump and the top of the main roots into chips, working below the soil line.
- Fill or leave the chips. The chips can be raked back into the hole, spread as mulch, or hauled off if you plan to lay sod.
Grinding takes out the stump and the shallow root flare. Deeper roots are left to break down on their own, which is normal and does not affect a lawn.
After the grind: replanting in Humble
Many people grind a stump because they want a new tree in the same yard. The 2024 ordinance sets planting minimums by lot width for new developments; those were reported as not applying to existing homes, but a new tree is still a good use of the spot. If you plan to replant, set the new tree a few feet away from the old stump hole, where the soil is not full of decaying wood chips.
Houston-area natives such as live oak, cedar elm, bald cypress and Shumard oak appear on the City of Houston’s native and adopted plants list, which is a useful starting point for picking a replacement.
What goes into the quote?
- How wide the stump is at the ground and how high it stands
- Number of stumps on the property
- Exposed roots that also need grinding
- Whether the grinder fits through the gate or has to go around
- Whether chips stay, are spread, or are hauled away
Around Humble
- The Octavia Fields Branch Library, 1503 South Houston Avenue.
- Mercer Park, where the Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library sits.
- Downtown Humble, which sits on a salt dome and grew after the oil strike of 1904.
More from Sticks
See tree service in Humble, TX for everything Sticks does in town, tree trimming in Humble for the trees you are keeping, and stump grinding in Cypress, TX for the full service page. Sticks Tree Service Inc, 14120 Cypress North Houston Rd, Cypress, TX 77429.
Sources
- Community Impact: Humble tree preservation ordinance
- City of Houston: Native and Adopted Plants for Houston
- Humble, Texas (Wikipedia)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Humble permit to grind an old stump?
The 2024 ordinance was reported as covering removal of existing trees over 4 inches in diameter. A stump from a tree that is already gone is a different case, but ask the City of Humble if you are unsure.
How deep does the grinder go?
Below the soil line, deep enough for grass or a garden bed to cover the spot. The exact depth depends on the stump and what you plan to put there.
Will a ground stump grow back?
Most do not. Some trees send up sprouts from the roots for a while; pulling or mowing them off usually ends it.
Can several stumps in one Humble yard be done in one trip?
Yes, and it is the efficient way to do it. List every stump when you call so the crew brings the right machine.
What happens to the wood chips?
They can fill the hole, be spread as mulch in your beds, or be hauled away. Tell the crew which one you want before grinding starts.
Why should I call 811 before stump grinding?
The grinder works below ground. Calling 811 gets buried utility lines marked so the wheel stays clear of them.