Backyard Stump Grinding in Murfreesboro, TN

Can you get a stump grinder through my gate?

Most of the time, yes. Stump grinders come in different sizes. The big ones are fast but wide. The smaller ones roll through gates that a lawn tractor would barely fit through.

The one thing we need from you is the gate width. Measure the open gate from post to post at the narrowest point. Tell us that number when you ask for a quote so we bring a machine that fits.

If a gate is too narrow, there are usually other options:

• Taking a fence panel off for the day
• Coming in through a neighbor's gate with their OK
• Opening a double drive gate
• Going through a side yard on the other side of the house

What else makes backyard stumps tricky?

The gate is just the first problem. Backyards in Murfreesboro and the rest of Rutherford County have a lot going on in a small space:

• Privacy fences close on every side
• Patios, decks, and pools close to the stump
• Sheds and playsets
• Sprinkler heads and lines
• Dog runs and soft spots from where the dog digs
• Septic lines on some lots out in the county
• Slopes that drop toward the back fence

We look at all of that before we start. We set up guards to keep chips off windows, siding, and pools, and we stay clear of anything we can't safely work near.

Will the grinder tear up my lawn?

We work to keep it from happening. A stump grinder is heavy, and the soil in a lot of Middle Tennessee yards is clay that rolls up easily when it's wet. So we watch the weather, lay down plywood or mats over soft ground when needed, and take the shortest path from the gate to the stump.

If it has rained hard, we may ask to move the job a day or two. That's better than leaving ruts across your yard.

Do you grind stumps next to fences and patios?

Yes. A lot of backyard stumps are right up against a fence post, a retaining wall, or the edge of a patio, because that's where people planted trees years ago. We can grind close, but we take it slow. In some spots we'll leave a small piece of root right against a post or slab rather than risk cracking it. We'll tell you if that's the case.

Roots running under a patio or toward the house can be handled with root grinding. You can also read more about tree roots near foundations and driveways.

What about cleanup in a fenced yard?

Backyard jobs leave a pile of chips in a place you can't easily get a wheelbarrow in and out of. We can rake them into the hole, spread them in beds, or haul them out through the gate. If you want grass back, we can bring in topsoil and seed through the same gate. See cleanup, topsoil and grass seed.

How should you get the backyard ready?

A little prep makes the job faster and keeps your stuff safe:

• Unlock the gate, or leave the code, on the work day
• Move patio furniture, grills, toys, and planters away from the stump
• Flag sprinkler heads and any yard lighting near the stump or the path to it
• Take down hammocks, string lights, or anything hanging low over the path
• Keep pets inside until we're packed up and the gate is shut
• Tell us about septic tanks, lines, or soft spots in the yard

You don't need to be home if everything is set. We'll text or call when we're done.

How much more does a backyard stump cost?

Sometimes not any more at all. If the gate is wide enough and the path is clear, a backyard stump costs about the same as one in the front yard. Narrow gates, steep slopes, long carries, and tight spots near the house can add time, and time is what you pay for. See regular stump removal for how we handle the stump itself.