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Remove What's Left Behind Completely
Professional stump grinding services available throughout Oakhurst, California.
When a tree comes down on your property in Oakhurst, you are left with a stump that interrupts your lawn, blocks future landscaping, and continues sending up shoots for months or even years. Stump grinding removes the visible portion and grinds the root structure below the soil line so you can reclaim usable yard space without waiting for natural decay. Oakhurst properties often have stumps from pine, oak, and cedar that sit in the middle of planned garden beds or walkways, and grinding them out gives you a clean starting point.
Lepley Trees uses a hydraulic stump grinder that cuts the wood into chips and mulch, working down six to twelve inches below ground level depending on what you plan to do with the area afterward. The machine grinds through the stump and the major surface roots, leaving behind fine wood chips that settle into the cavity. You can use those chips as mulch or have them removed, and the ground levels out enough to seed grass, lay sod, or prepare for hardscaping within a few days once the area settles.
Contact Lepley Trees to schedule stump grinding in Oakhurst and clear the way for your next project.
What Happens During and After Grinding
The grinder is positioned directly over the stump and uses a rotating cutting wheel with carbide teeth to shave away wood in layers, moving across the surface and then working deeper into the root ball. In Oakhurst, stumps vary in hardness depending on species and how long they have been sitting, and the machine adjusts to handle both fresh cuts and older dried wood. The process takes anywhere from twenty minutes to over an hour depending on diameter and root spread.
Once the stump is ground out, you will see a shallow depression filled with wood chips and loose soil where the stump used to sit. The surrounding lawn remains intact, and there is no large hole or need for heavy excavation equipment. You can rake the chips level, add topsoil, and plant within the same season if the roots have been ground sufficiently below the surface.
Grinding does not remove every piece of the root system, especially lateral roots that extend beyond the stump perimeter, but it eliminates the central mass that prevents mowing and replanting. If you are installing a structure or pouring concrete, deeper grinding or root removal may be necessary depending on the scope of work.
We know stumps raise a lot of questions
Homeowners in Oakhurst often want to know how deep the grinding goes, what happens to the chips, and whether grass will grow back over the spot where the stump used to be.
- How deep does stump grinding go?
Most residential stump grinding goes six to twelve inches below ground level, which is deep enough for lawn restoration and most landscaping projects. If you need deeper grinding for construction or hardscaping, that can be arranged during scheduling. - What do you do with the wood chips after grinding?
The chips are left on site unless you request removal. You can spread them as mulch, use them to fill the cavity, or have them hauled away depending on your plans for the area. - Can I plant a new tree where the stump was?
You can plant grass, flowers, or shrubs right away once the area is leveled and filled with soil. Planting another tree in the exact same spot is not recommended until the remaining roots decompose, which can take a year or more depending on the species. - Will grinding damage my lawn or sprinklers?
The grinder stays within the stump perimeter and does not tear up surrounding turf. You should mark any irrigation lines or utility locations near the stump so they can be avoided during the work. - How long does it take to grind one stump?
A typical stump takes twenty to forty minutes depending on diameter and wood density. Larger stumps with extensive root flare or multiple trunks may take longer, and that is assessed on site before work begins.
Lepley Trees handles stump grinding throughout Oakhurst with equipment suited for residential properties and tight access areas. Get in touch to schedule grinding and reclaim your yard space.
