A stump left in the lawn is a trip hazard, a mowing headache and, for some species, a source of new shoots for years. Grinding takes it out below the surface in a single visit. Here is what it costs in Burlington, how to tell a finished job from a half-done one, and the checks to make first.
2026 stump grinding prices in Burlington
| Stump width at ground level | Grinding price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Under 30 cm (about 12 in) | $120 - $220 |
| 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in) | $200 - $350 |
| Over 60 cm (24 in and up) | $350 - $800 |
| Haul away the grindings and fill with topsoil | $150 - $500 extra |
We measure each stump across the top at ground level, including the flare. Expect the higher end for big silver maple and oak stumps in Aldershot, Roseland and the lakeshore neighbourhoods, for stumps with thick roots spreading across the lawn, and for backyards reached only through a narrow gate. Several stumps done together cost less each. If the tree is still up, getting the removal and grinding quoted together is usually cheapest.
What a finished job looks like
Burlington's own stump removal program is a useful benchmark. When the City's contractor removes a boulevard stump, the process is to grind the stump, remove the grindings, replace them with soil, tamp the new soil, then put down grass seed and water it. That is the standard to ask for.
Many cheap quotes stop at the first step. The grinder leaves a mound of chips, and the homeowner is left with a pile to shovel and a hole that sinks as the wood rots underneath. Ask what the price includes:
| Level of service | What you get | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Grind only | Stump ground 20 to 30 cm below grade, chips left in and around the hole | Garden beds, where chips become mulch |
| Grind and clean up | Chips raked out and piled or hauled, hole left open | Doing your own soil and seed |
| Grind, fill and seed | Chips hauled, screened topsoil filled and tamped, seeded and watered | Lawns, ready to grow back |
Boulevard stumps belong to the City
If the tree that came down was on the boulevard, it was a City tree, and the stump is the City's to remove. The City's contractor works through stumps in the road allowance to make room for new plantings. The City cannot give an exact date, because the work is held up by weather, hard grinds, equipment breakdowns and mandatory utility locates. If you have a question about a City stump, call Service Burlington at 905-335-7777. Do not grind it yourself.
Locates: the law, and free
Even the City's contractor has to wait for locates, and so does everyone else. Ontario law requires a locate before digging, and a grinder cuts 20 to 30 cm into the ground. Book through Ontario Dig Authority, formerly Ontario One Call. It costs nothing; allow about five business days. We arrange it for every job.
The utilities only mark their own lines. Privately owned lines are not marked: gas to a barbecue or pool heater, power to a shed, landscape lighting, irrigation pipe and dog fence wire. If any of those run near the stump, tell us. We probe and hand-dig before grinding.
Private trees, permits and the stump
Grinding a stump does not need a permit. The permit is needed earlier: inside Burlington's urban area, removing a private tree 20 cm or more across needs a permit under Private Tree By-law 040-2022, with replacement trees at 2:1 to 4:1 depending on size. If you are planting replacements, do not put them in the old stump hole. Plant in native soil a metre or two away.
If the old tree stood on the property line, it was shared with your neighbour under Ontario's Forestry Act. Talk to them before grinding out a shared stump and its roots, especially if their own trees are close.
Stumps that keep sprouting
Some species fight back. Manitoba maple, poplar, willow, black locust and sumac often push up shoots from the roots after the tree is cut. Grinding the stump takes away the main source, but scattered suckers can appear in the lawn for a season or two. Keep mowing them, or clip them at ground level, and they run out of energy. A stump left standing for years keeps sprouting much longer, so it is worth grinding sooner rather than later.
Grinding or full removal?
Grinding is right for lawns, gardens and most patios. Digging out the whole root ball takes an excavator, makes a big hole and costs several times more. It is mainly for additions, pools and footings. If something is being built, tell us at the start.
Getting the lawn back
- Fill with screened topsoil slightly above grade and tamp it, as the City does.
- Seed from mid-August to late September for the strongest lawn, or lay sod any time the ground is not frozen. See Burlington sod installation for bigger patches.
- Water every day or two until the seed is up, then less often and more deeply.
- Top up any dip the next spring.
Where we grind stumps in Burlington
Aldershot, Roseland, downtown, the lakeshore, Tyandaga, Brant Hills, Headon Forest, Millcroft, Orchard and Alton Village. Taking a tree down first? See Burlington tree removal for permit fees. For a big tree worth keeping, Burlington tree trimming explains the City rebate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does stump grinding cost in Burlington?
About $120 to $220 for a stump under 30 cm, $200 to $350 for 30 to 60 cm and $350 to $800 for larger stumps, plus $150 to $500 for hauling and topsoil.
Does the City remove boulevard stumps in Burlington?
Yes. The City's contractor removes stumps in the road allowance, then fills and seeds them. Call 905-335-7777 with questions.
Do I need a permit to grind a stump in Burlington?
No. Permits apply to removing living private trees 20 cm or more across in the urban area, not to grinding the stump afterward.
Do I need a locate before stump grinding?
Yes. Locates through Ontario Dig Authority are free and legally required. Private lines are not marked, so tell the crew about them.
Should the grindings be left in the hole?
Not under a lawn. They settle and tie up nitrogen as they rot. Remove them, fill with topsoil, tamp, then seed.
Why are shoots coming up after the stump was ground?
Some species sprout from their roots. Mow or clip the shoots and they stop within a season or two.