Stump removal in South Africa costs between R 800 and R 5 000 per stump, according to Tree Wise Tree Felling’s published prices. Where your job lands inside that range is set by the stump’s width, its root mass, the species, and how easily a grinding machine can reach it. Every quote is free and fixed before any work starts.
That figure is per stump, not per job. A 30 cm stump in an open lawn sits at the bottom of the range, while a metre-wide stump with spreading roots behind a narrow gate sits at the top. The grinding itself typically goes 30 to 60 cm below the surface, and the hole is backfilled with wood chips so the ground is left level.
This guide works through the published prices, the factors that move a stump quote up or down, how grinding compares with full root removal, and the mistakes that make people pay twice.
Published Stump Removal Prices
These are the figures as printed on our tree felling prices page, not estimates. They apply across greater Gauteng from the Randburg base, with the same free assessment and fixed quote everywhere.
| Job | Published price | What sets the final number |
|---|---|---|
| Stump removal / stump grinding | R 800 – R 5 000 per stump | Stump width and root mass set where the job lands |
| Stump grinding after a felling job | Optional add-on, same visit | Quoted with the fell, and ground on the same visit |
| Assessment and fixed quote | Free | Always free, with no obligation |
| Backfill with wood chips | Included | Hole levelled with chips from the stump itself |
| Site clean-up | Included | Area left tidy when the crew leaves |
For comparison, tree felling itself is published at R 750 to R 6 500 per tree. The stump carries its own range because a 30 cm stump and a metre-wide stump are different jobs, even when the tree above them was similar. If several stumps need attention on one visit, the setup is shared, which is the cheapest way to do the work.
What Moves a Stump Price Up or Down
The published range is wide because stumps differ more than trees do. Six factors do most of the moving.
- Stump width. Grinding time scales with diameter, because the cutting wheel has to sweep the full width at every depth. A metre-wide stump is several times the work of a 30 cm one.
- Species and wood hardness. Dense, hard wood chews slower than soft wood, and some species hold living tissue in the stump long after felling.
- Root spread. Surface roots that stick out of the lawn are ground as part of the job, and a wide root flare adds real cutting time.
- Access for the grinder. The machine is roughly the size of a tractor lawnmower. Narrow gates, steps, slopes and tight side passages change how it reaches the stump, and awkward access pushes the quote up.
- Grinding depth. The typical grind goes 30 to 60 cm below the surface. Deeper grinding for replanting or construction takes longer and costs more.
- Debris handling. Wood chips can be spread on the garden or hauled away, and removal from site is priced as its own line if you want it.
Grinding, Full Root Removal, or Leaving the Stump
Grinding is the popular choice in South Africa because it is fast, efficient and leaves the ground ready to use, but it is not the only option. The table below shows how the three approaches compare.
| Option | Typical cost | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Stump grinding | R 800 – R 5 000 per stump, published | You want the ground level and usable again, with the stump gone 30 to 60 cm deep and the hole backfilled |
| Full root removal | Higher, quoted per job after assessment | You are building over the spot or need every root out; it means excavation, a bigger disturbance and a longer cleanup |
| Leaving the stump | Nothing now | The corner is out of the way, but old stumps harbour disease, attract borer beetles, trip people and keep spreading roots |
Chemical removal exists too, but it works slowly over months and leaves the decay in your soil. Grinding finishes the job in hours, and the wood chips it produces become the backfill.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Accepting a number nobody qualified. A quote can start from photos sent on WhatsApp, but a fixed price should still reflect real questions about width, access, species and depth. A number given with no questions at all is a guess.
- Grinding too shallow to replant. A grind just below the lawn line leaves root plate in the ground that sinks later. If you plan to replant a tree in the same spot, say so upfront so the depth is quoted properly.
- Ignoring underground services before grinding. Irrigation pipes, buried cabling and drain runs all live in the top 60 cm of a garden. Check your plans, and call a before-you-dig service if in doubt, before the grinder does.
- Forgetting the stump in the felling brief. Many felling quotes exclude the stump by default. Say upfront whether it stays or goes, so the numbers you compare are for the same job.
- Comparing stump quotes with different scopes. One quote for grinding to 30 cm and another for full root removal are not the same job, whatever the rand amounts say.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is stump removal included in tree felling prices?
No. Tree felling is published at R 750 to R 6 500 per tree for the tree on the ground, and stump removal is its own published line at R 800 to R 5 000 per stump. Grinding is quoted as an optional add-on and can be done on the same visit as the fell.
Why do stump quotes vary so much between companies?
Because the quotes often cover different jobs. Depth, root spread, backfill and debris removal differ between quotes, some price per stump and others per visit, and access is judged differently. Ask what the number covers before comparing, and get it in writing.
How long does stump removal take?
Small stumps take a few hours, while larger ones can take a day or more. Once the grinding is done, the hole is backfilled with wood chips and the area is left tidy.
How deep does stump grinding go?
Stump grinding typically goes 30 to 60 cm below the surface with carbide-tipped teeth. That depth removes the stump completely and helps prevent regrowth.
Can I replant after a stump is ground out?
Yes. Once the stump is ground out, fill the hole with topsoil and you can replant grass, shrubs or a new tree in the same spot. Tell the crew beforehand if you plan to replant, so the grind depth suits it.
Does insurance cover stump removal?
In most cases no, because stump removal is treated as regular property maintenance rather than an insurable event. Check with your insurance provider to confirm what your policy covers.
Get a fixed price for your stump. Tree Wise Tree Felling grinds stumps 30 to 60 cm deep with carbide-tipped teeth, backfills with wood chips, and leaves the site clean, serving greater Gauteng from its Randburg base. Every quote is free and fixed before work starts. Call 076 231 4998 or get a quote.
Disclaimer. The prices in this article are Tree Wise Tree Felling’s published ranges, printed as they appear on the prices page, and your exact price is only fixed after a free assessment of the stump. Underground services must be checked before grinding, and replanting or building over a ground stump may need further advice.