Stump grinding and root removal, Sydney
Stump Grinding & Stump Removal Sydney
Stumps ground out below turf level with our own grinders: a 90hp Rayco for big open stumps and a narrow Red Roo SHP400 for side passages, pool surrounds and tight terrace gardens. Send photos and get one fixed price, usually $300 to $900 ex GST a stump.
★ 5.0 from 71 Google reviewsAQF Level 5 arboristsISO 9001 certified$20M public liability
Stump grinding or stump removal: what’s the difference?
Stump grinding chips the stump away below ground level with a grinder, and the roots are left to break down in the soil. Stump removal digs out the whole stump and root ball and fills the hole. Grinding is quicker and cheaper and suits most gardens; full removal is for when something is being built where the tree stood.
We grind stumps with our own two machines: a 90hp Rayco stump grinder for big open stumps and whole blocks after a clearing job, and a 740 mm-wide Red Roo SHP400 tight-access grinder that fits through a standard side gate for the awkward stumps beside pools, against retaining walls and in courtyards. Need the whole stump and root ball dug out for a slab or paving? See stump removal. Most stumps we grind are left behind by our own tree removals, so if the tree is still standing, the cheapest way is to do both in one visit. See tree removal.
How much does stump grinding cost in Sydney?
Ground below turf level. Root treatment and backfill on request. More than one stump, access and stump size change the total, and you get one fixed price after we have seen it.
What decides the price
- Stump size. Width across the cut and how far the roots flare out at the base.
- Timber. Dense eucalypt stumps take longer to grind than softwood or palm stumps.
- Access. Front yard with a driveway versus a narrow side path, steps or a slope.
- How many stumps. Several stumps in one visit cost less each than single call-outs.
- Surface roots and what’s in the ground. Rocks, old concrete or metal in the stump slow the job down.
- What you want afterwards. Grindings left, removed, or removed and backfilled with soil.
For the full price guide for tree work, see tree removal cost in Sydney.
What moves the price inside the $300–$900 band
| Job | What to expect, ex GST |
|---|---|
| One stump, clear access | $300–$900 — the diameter and what goes in the spot next set where in the band it lands |
| Extra stumps on the same visit | Cheaper than the first — the set-up and clean-up are shared, quoted as one job |
| Stump ground with a True Roots tree removal | Ask about our current free stump grinding offer when we quote the tree |
| Tight access — machine through a gate or down steps | Upper end of the band — we run a narrow-access grinder, so most backyards are still fine |
| Surface roots beyond the stump | Quoted per job — see root barrier installation if roots are the real problem |
How deep we grind, by what goes there next
New turf
Ground below turf level, grindings raked out, topped up with soil so the turf sits flat. Allow for the soil to settle a little over the first few weeks.
Garden bed
Ground deeper, grindings removed from the bed, and the surface roots near the stump chased out so you can dig and plant.
A new tree
Plant beside the old stump rather than in it, or have us clear the grindings and larger roots from the planting hole and backfill with good soil.
Slab, paving, pool or extension
The stump and main roots usually need to come out completely, so the ground can be compacted for the builder. That is stump removal, not just grinding.
Building over the old stump? Ask your engineer or builder what they need, and we work to that. See site preparation and root barrier installation.
Stump grinding and root removal jobs
Before and after: a surface root along a side path
Photos from our own jobs. Client addresses are never published.
Will the stump or roots grow back?
Most stumps stay dead once they are ground out. A few species can come back from what is left in the ground, and it is better to know before the job than to find shoots a month later.
| Species | What NSW WeedWise says | What it means for your stump |
|---|---|---|
| Broad-leaf privet | “Can regenerate from roots and stems”. Cut stumps are treated with herbicide within 15 seconds, and follow-up is needed. | Expect some shoots from the roots. We can treat the stump on the day; you or we pull new shoots as they appear. |
| Cockspur coral tree | “Cut or broken branches can develop roots and form new plants”. Check for regrowth monthly for at least 6 months. | Every offcut leaves the site, the stump is treated, and watch the area for six months. |
Sources: NSW WeedWise, broad-leaf privet and cockspur coral tree. If your stump is one of these, we say so on the quote.
Access, pipes and cables
Measure your gate
Send the width of your narrowest gate or path with your photos, plus any steps or slopes on the way to the stump. That decides which machine we bring and how long the job takes.
What’s under the stump
We lodge a free Before You Dig Australia enquiry before grinding near services. Those plans mainly show network services. Private pipes and cables on your own block, such as irrigation, house drains, stormwater or power to a shed, usually don’t appear, so tell us anything you know is buried near the stump. Asset owners are asked to reply within 2 business days, so allow for that when booking.
While the grinder runs, people, pets and cars are kept clear of the area, because it throws chips and stones.
Do you need council approval to grind a stump?
None of the council pages we have checked deals with stumps left after a tree has been removed with approval or under an exemption: grinding that stump is part of the same job. What councils do regulate is work on trees that are staying. Georges River Council, for example, says works to any part of a tree, including cutting tree roots, need prior approval. So if grinding a stump means cutting roots of a neighbour’s tree or one you are keeping, check first.
If the tree is still standing, start with your council’s rules: Georges River, Sutherland Shire, Canterbury-Bankstown, Bayside, Inner West, Ku-ring-gai and City of Sydney.
How a stump job runs
- Photos and measurements. Send a photo of each stump, something for scale, and your gate width. Most stump jobs can be priced from photos.
- One fixed price. You get a written quote with what happens to the grindings and whether backfill or root treatment is included.
- Grinding day. We protect paths, walls and garden beds, grind the stump and chase the surface roots.
- Clean-up. Grindings raked back, spread or taken away as agreed, and photos sent when we finish.
Stump grinding questions
How much does stump grinding cost in Sydney?
Most stumps are $300 to $900 ex GST each. Size, timber, access and how many stumps there are set the price. A small stump in an open front yard is at the low end; a large hardwood stump behind the house with surface roots is at the high end. Send photos and we give one fixed price.
Is it cheaper to grind or remove a stump?
Grinding is almost always cheaper. The grinder chips the stump down below the surface and the root system is left to break down in the ground. Removing the whole stump and root ball means digging it out with machinery and filling the hole, which costs more and is only worth it when something is being built there.
How deep do you grind a stump?
It depends on what goes there next. For new turf we grind below turf level. For a garden bed or a new tree we go deeper and clear the grindings from the spot. For a slab, paving or a pool, the stump and main roots usually need to come out completely.
Will the stump or roots grow back?
Most stumps don’t once they are ground out, but some species can. NSW WeedWise notes that broad-leaf privet can regenerate from roots and stems, and that cut coral tree branches can take root. If your stump is one of those, we tell you on the quote and can treat it. Watch for shoots over the following months.
What happens to the grindings?
The grindings are a mix of wood chip and soil. They can be raked back into the hole, spread as mulch or taken away. Fresh grindings are not good soil for planting straight into, so if you want turf or a new plant there, ask for the grindings to be removed and the hole backfilled with soil.
Can I plant a new tree where the stump was?
Yes, but not in the same hole without some work. Ask us to remove the grindings and the larger roots from the planting spot and backfill with good soil, or plant a metre or so to one side.
Can you grind a stump next to a fence, wall or path?
Usually, yes. We grind close to fences, walls and paths and protect them while we work. Very tight spots may need the last part of the stump cut by hand.
What access do you need?
Measure your narrowest gate or path and send it with your photos. That decides which machine we bring. Steps, steep slopes and soft ground are fine to mention too.
Do you check for pipes and cables first?
Yes. We lodge a free Before You Dig Australia enquiry, but those plans mainly show network services, not the private pipes and cables on your property, such as irrigation, house drains or power to a shed. Tell us anything you know is buried near the stump and we check the ground before grinding.
Do I need council approval to grind a stump?
Grinding the stump of a tree that has already been removed with approval, or under an exemption, is part of that job. Cutting roots of a tree you are keeping, or a neighbour’s tree, is different: some councils treat root cutting as work on the tree. Georges River, for example, says works to any part of a tree, including cutting tree roots, need prior approval.
Can you remove the tree and grind the stump on the same day?
Yes. Adding the stump to a tree removal is the cheapest way to do it, because the crew and machinery are already on site.
Do I need to be home?
No, as long as we can get to the stump and you have told us about anything buried nearby. We send photos when the job is done.
Stump grinding across Sydney
Our yard is in Mortdale, so St George and the Sutherland Shire are closest, and we grind stumps right across Sydney:
St George Mortdale Penshurst Peakhurst Oatley Lugarno Alfords Point Menai Sutherland Shire Sutherland Cronulla Caringbah Miranda Gymea Kirrawee Jannali Como Sylvania Kareela Engadine Heathcote Parramatta Hills District Pymble Wahroonga Hunters Hill Mosman
What our clients say
Real reviews from Sydney clients, quoted from our Google profile. Long reviews are shortened; tap Read more for the full review on Google.
Reviews …Really great service, professional, safe and accommodating. Difficulties of access easily overcome, good people to deal withRead more
David G.October 2026Jimmy and the guys were excellent at their job—very fast and very tidy. I highly recommend them, and I certainly wouldn't hesitate to use them again in the future. "True Roots" are the best.
Nomikos R.October 2026Removed 4 bunches of palm nuts and tidied everything up. Great job.
Matthew K.October 2026Jimmy and his crew were fast, efficient and professional! He was so helpful in removing a tree in our yard that was a safety hazard. I highly recommend True Roots and would not hesitate to use them again if needed.
Liz B.June 2026Jimmy and his team were excellent. Fast, reliable, well-priced and impressive work. Great to see such a good, local tree removal business and arborist in Mortdale and operating in the St George area. You will not be disappointed using these guys.
Jamie D.April 2026Great service! I liked how they cleaned up after they chopped down our tree. Efficient and very competitive pricing. I would happily book them again in the future.
Celia L.April 2026Jimmy and the two men working with him were professional, hard working and efficient with their time. They removed a large bougainvillea adjacent to the pool. I was very impressed with how well they did this, especially given how thorny it…Read more
Jan B.March 2026I recently hired True Roots to remove a large gum tree from my property, and I couldn’t be more impressed with their service. From the initial consultation to the final clean-up, the team of arborists were professional, efficient, and…Read more
Joseph2025Jimmy was amazing; right from the beginning, he was informative, professional and willing to work within our budget. We could not be happier with what he has delivered for us. We removed all our side trees and replaced them with hedges and…Read more
JJ2025Highly recommend the Team from True Roots, the boys came in and removed a Black Butt that was overhanging our house. Very competitive pricing and managed to squeeze us in. The stump was ground back and all waste was removed. Very professional and skilled workers. Will definitely use them again in the future.
Ben G.2024Highly recommend! James and the boys did an amazing job cutting down a large tree in my yard. Super professional, efficient, and left everything clean and tidy. Great service, and I’m really happy with the results. Will definitely call again for any future tree work! Thanks Andrew
Andrew M.2024Qualified, insured and accountable
- AQF Level 5 arboristDiploma of Arboriculture (AHC50524), TAFE NSW, 2024. About 15 years in arboriculture.
- ISO 9001 certifiedQuality management system certified to ISO 9001.
- $20M public liabilityPlus icare workers compensation. Certificates of currency sent with every quote.
- Australian StandardsTree pruning and trimming to AS 4373, tree protection on building sites to AS 4970.
- Indigenous-ownedOwned and operated by an Indigenous director. Registered NSW Government supplier on buy.nsw.
- 5.0 on Google71 reviews, every one from a real job. Read them.
Want the stump gone properly?
Send a photo of the stump and your suburb and we’ll give you a clear, fixed price for grinding or full removal.
Get a free quote
Tell us what you need done and we will call you back to arrange a look. Every job is assessed individually - no two trees are the same.
Urgent or unsafe tree? Call 0422 023 242 - we answer 24 hours.