Stump grinding means using a specialised machine (a stump grinder) to grind the visible stump down, usually below ground level, turning the stump into wood chips. It doesn’t fully dig out the roots. Stump removal (sometimes called full stump extraction) involves excavating the stump and as much of the root system as possible, often with machines or heavy digging, so there's (almost) nothing left.

So, you’ve had a tree removed and now you’re left with a big, awkward stump in your yard. Do you grind it down, yank it out, or just throw a flower pot on top and hope no one notices? Many ask themselves what the difference between stump grinding and stump removal is. Let’s break it down simply, with a bit of fun, and help you to decide what’s best for your backyard.