Stump removal in Houston, TX from Sticks Tree Service Inc. is done by grinding: the stump is chewed down below the grass line and the surface roots are ground out, so the spot can take sod, a bed or a new tree. Trey Lamar’s crews grind stumps across northwest and west Houston from the office at 14120 Cypress North Houston Rd in Cypress, whether the tree came down last week or a previous owner left it years ago. Call 281-373-1472 for an estimate.
Why remove a stump instead of leaving it?
- Regrowth. Many Houston trees, including Chinese tallow and some oaks and elms, send up sprouts from the stump and roots for years.
- Pests. A rotting stump is a home for termites, carpenter ants and fire ants, all common in Houston yards.
- Mowing and trips. Stumps and the surface roots around them break mower blades and trip people.
- Using the space. A stump in the middle of the yard decides where the swing set, the bed or the new tree cannot go.
- Selling the house. A yard with old stumps looks unfinished in listing photos.
How does stump grinding work?
- Locate the lines. Before grinding, buried utility lines are marked. Texas law asks anyone digging to call 811 first, and grinding below grade counts.
- Clear the area. Rocks, edging and sprinkler heads near the stump are noted or moved; sprinkler lines close to the stump are a common surprise.
- Grind. A grinder with a toothed wheel cuts the stump away in passes, down several inches below the soil line, then follows the surface roots out across the yard.
- Grindings. The chips and soil left behind can stay as fill and mulch, or be raked out and hauled so the hole can be topped with soil for sod.
A standard Sticks grind goes 4 to 6 inches below ground and takes out all visible surface roots. Deeper grinding for a new tree in the same spot is noted on the estimate.
Stump removal vs stump grinding: what is the difference?
People use the words for the same thing, and on a residential lot they mean grinding. Pulling a whole stump and root ball out of the ground with an excavator leaves a large hole and tears up the yard, and on a small Houston lot it can disturb the slab, a fence or the neighbor’s tree. Grinding gets the stump out of the way without that damage. For root balls on raw land, see land clearing.
What makes Houston stumps tricky?
- Close to the house. Many Houston trees were planted right beside the foundation; grinding has to stop short of the slab and the plumbing.
- Behind narrow gates. Older neighborhoods often have side gates too narrow for a big machine, so the grinder size is chosen to fit.
- Clay soil. Gumbo clay stays sticky after rain; on soft ground the crew lays down protection or waits a day.
- Old storm stumps. After the 2024 storms many owners were left with stumps cut flush by a cleanup crew. Those can still be ground.
Where does Sticks Tree Service grind stumps in Houston?
Jersey Village, Willowbrook, Champions, Spring Branch, the Memorial side and the rest of northwest and west Houston, west of I-45. Near the office, see stump grinding in Cypress. If the tree is still standing, see tree removal in Houston; the stump can be done the same visit. All Houston services are on tree service in Houston.
What goes into the quote?
- Stump diameter at ground level, and how many stumps
- How far the surface roots run
- Access: gate width and distance from the street
- Rocks, concrete or metal in or around the stump
- Whether the grindings stay or are hauled
- Extra depth for replanting in the same spot
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How deep is a stump ground?
A standard grind goes 4 to 6 inches below ground level and follows the visible surface roots. Deeper grinding for replanting in the same spot can be added to the estimate.
Can a stump next to my foundation be removed?
It can be ground down, stopping short of the slab and any plumbing. Roots under the slab are left in place rather than torn out.
Will the stump grow back after grinding?
Grinding below grade and taking out the surface roots stops most regrowth. A few species, such as Chinese tallow, can still sprout from roots farther out; those sprouts are easy to cut.
What happens to the grindings?
They can stay in the hole as fill and mulch, or be raked out and hauled so topsoil and sod can go in. Say which you want when you book.
Can the grinder fit through my side gate?
Tell the crew the gate width when you call. The grinder is chosen to fit, and the estimate notes any fence panel that needs to come off.
Do I need to call 811 before stump grinding?
Buried lines should be marked before any digging, and grinding below grade counts. The crew confirms this before the grinder starts.
Can old stumps from storm cleanup be ground?
Yes. Stumps cut flush to the ground months or years ago can still be ground and the roots chased out.
Sticks Tree Service Inc, 14120 Cypress North Houston Rd, Cypress, TX 77429. Phone 281-373-1472.