Hamilton has thousands of ash stumps left behind by emerald ash borer, plus old maple and spruce stumps that people have mowed around for years. A grinder chews a stump into chips below the surface in an hour or two, so you can lay sod, plant a garden or put down a patio. Here is what it costs, what to check first, and what the job should leave behind.
2026 stump grinding prices in Hamilton
| 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 |
Stumps are measured across the cut at ground level, not across the trunk higher up, and the flare at the base is often wider than people expect. Price goes up for hard, dense wood such as oak, for a stump with big surface roots running across the lawn, and for a backyard reached only through a narrow side gate. A compact grinder fits through most gates about 90 cm (36 in) wide. Several stumps on one visit cost less each, because the setup and travel are only paid once.
Is the stump yours or the City's?
Start here. On many Hamilton streets the City's road allowance runs past the sidewalk and well into what looks like your front lawn. If the tree that came down was a City tree, the stump is the City's too.
The City's City trees page says that once a City tree is cut down, the stump is scheduled for removal in a systematic way, so you do not pay for it. Removal is delayed if the stump sits in a garden, behind a fence or other object, or under heavy snow, so keep the area clear. A stump also has to be gone before the City will plant a new street tree through its street tree planting program. If a City stump has been sitting for a long time, call 905-546-2489.
For stumps on your own land, there is no City permit for grinding. If the tree was on the line with your neighbour, it was shared property under Ontario's Forestry Act, and you should agree with them before grinding out a shared stump and its roots.
Locates come first, and they are the law
A grinder cuts 20 to 30 cm below grade and further on big roots. Gas lines, hydro and cable often run just that deep across front yards. Under Ontario law, anyone digging must request locates first through Ontario Dig Authority, the free service formerly called Ontario One Call. Landscape Ontario reports that one in four residential digging projects in Ontario damages something underground, and most homeowners do not know a locate is required.
We book the locate. Allow at least five business days. Public locates only mark lines owned by the utilities. Privately owned lines are not marked, such as the gas line to a barbecue or heater, power to a shed or garage, landscape lighting cable and sprinkler pipe. Tell us about anything like that near the stump. If we are not sure, we hand-dig around it before the grinder goes in.
Grinding vs full stump removal
Grinding leaves the deeper roots in the ground to rot slowly, which is fine for lawn, garden beds and most patios. Pulling out the whole root ball takes an excavator, leaves a large hole and costs several times more. It is usually only worth it where a foundation, footing or pool is going in. If you are building, tell us, and we will grind deeper and wider or recommend excavation.
After the grind: getting grass back
- Grindings: a medium stump makes a surprising pile of chips. Keep some as mulch for garden beds, but do not leave them in the hole under new lawn. As they rot, they pull nitrogen from the soil and settle into a dip.
- Fill: rake out the chips, fill with screened topsoil a little above grade, and firm it down. It will settle over the first year, so top it up in spring.
- Seed or sod: seed in late summer or early fall, or lay sod any time the ground is not frozen. See our Hamilton sod installation page for larger patches.
- Replanting: plant a new tree a metre or two away from the old stump, not in the same hole, where rotting roots and chips make poor soil.
Ash stumps and suckers
Most ash trees in Hamilton died from emerald ash borer, and their stumps are hard and dry, so they grind cleanly. Some other species, such as Manitoba maple, poplar and black locust, send up shoots from the roots after the tree comes down. Grinding removes the stump, but a few suckers may still appear in the lawn the next season. Mow them or cut them at ground level, and they stop within a season or two as the roots run out of energy.
Hamilton ground conditions
On parts of the Mountain and around the escarpment, bedrock can sit close to the surface, and old stumps are sometimes wrapped around stones or buried rubble. On older lower city lots we also find old fence posts, concrete and bricks buried near stumps. The grinder stops when it hits rock, so we grind to the depth the ground allows and tell you if it is shallower than usual.
What a stump grinding quote should include
- Each stump, measured across at ground level
- How deep it will be ground, usually 20 to 30 cm below grade
- Whether surface roots are included and how far out
- Who books the locate
- Whether the grindings are raked into a pile, left in the hole or hauled away, and whether topsoil and seed are included
- Insurance and WSIB coverage
Where we grind stumps in Hamilton
The lower city, the Mountain, Westdale, Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek, Waterdown, Binbrook and Mount Hope. If the tree is still standing, our Hamilton tree removal page covers taking it down, and we price the stump on the same visit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does stump grinding cost in Hamilton?
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. Hauling and topsoil add $150 to $500.
Will the City remove a stump in front of my house?
If it was a City tree, yes. The City schedules stump removal after it cuts a tree down. Call 905-546-2489 if one has been waiting a long time.
Do I need a locate before stump grinding?
Yes. Ontario law requires a locate through Ontario Dig Authority before digging, and grinding goes 20 to 30 cm deep. It is free; allow about five business days.
How deep does stump grinding go?
Usually 20 to 30 cm below grade, enough for topsoil and grass. We go deeper where a patio or garden needs it and the ground allows.
Can I plant grass where a stump was ground?
Yes. Rake out the chips, fill with topsoil a little above grade, then seed or sod. Top it up in spring as it settles.
Is grinding better than pulling the stump out?
For lawns and gardens, yes. It is much cheaper and less messy. Full removal is mainly for foundations, footings and pools.