In the Portland metro in 2026, grinding a single stump usually costs $150 to $550, and the typical residential stump lands around $200 to $350. Most companies here charge about $4 to $7 per inch of stump diameter, with a $150–$200 minimum to send a crew out. Bigger, harder-to-reach, or denser stumps cost more; bundling several in one visit costs much less per stump.
That’s the number you came for. Below, I’ll help you figure out where your stump falls in that range — and how to make sure the quote you get is a fair one.
Note: The prices in this guide are estimates based on current Portland-area market rates. Your exact cost depends on your specific stump and yard, so the only way to get a firm number is a free on-site estimate. Figures reflect 2026 conditions and may change over time.
Find Your Stump: Real Portland Examples
Ranges are useful, but most people just want to find the job that looks like theirs. Here are typical Portland jobs we price, start to finish:
One small stump, easy to reach — say a 10-inch ornamental or young fruit tree in an open front yard, grindings left on site as mulch. → Usually the $150–$200 minimum.
One mid-size stump in the backyard — a 20-inch birch or smaller maple, decent access, debris hauled away. → Roughly $250–$375.
One large conifer stump — an established 30-inch Douglas fir with a wide, flared base, ground a little deeper for replanting. → Roughly $400–$550.
A cluster of small stumps in one visit — three or four fence-line or fruit-tree stumps done in a single trip. → Often $250–$450 total, because you only pay the trip-out cost once.
A tricky-access stump — same size as a normal job, but behind a locked gate, on a West Hills slope, or wedged against a fence so we need a walk-behind grinder. → Add $75–$200 to the equivalent easy-access price.
If your stump doesn’t match any of these exactly, that’s fine — it’s why estimates are free. But you should now have a realistic ballpark before anyone shows up.
What Moves Your Price Up or Down
Here’s how to read your own stump and predict roughly where you’ll land — these are the things we’re actually weighing when we quote you.
The diameter is the biggest factor. Measure across the widest point of the stump at ground level (not the tree it came from). That number, times roughly $4–$7, is the backbone of most Portland quotes. A 12-inch stump and a 30-inch stump are very different jobs.
Your tree species matters more in Portland than most guides admit. Soft woods like western red cedar and pine grind fast and cheap. Dense bigleaf maple and oak take longer and chew up cutting teeth, so they cost more. Douglas fir — our signature local conifer — is middling to grind but often has a wide flared base that adds volume. A pricing chart written for the Southeast simply won’t reflect what’s in your Portland yard.
Surface roots add up. Bigleaf maples especially throw out heavy surface roots well past the stump. If you need those grounds too — usually before sod, a patio, or a fence post — that’s extra time and cost. If you just want the stump gone, it’s not.
Access is the wildcard. A stump in the open is straightforward. A stump behind a gate, up a slope, or only reachable through a narrow side yard means smaller equipment and more hand labor. This is the single most common reason two “same-size” stumps get different prices.
Grinding depth depends on your plans. Standard grinding goes 4–6 inches below grade — plenty if you’re just done with the stump. Replanting, new lawn, or building over the spot needs 8–12 inches, which costs a bit more. So the right question isn’t “how deep do you grind,” it’s “what do you want to do with the space after?”
Cleanup is the line item people forget. Grinding makes a surprising pile of chips and soil — often bigger than the stump was. Some quotes leave it (free mulch); some haul it off for a fee. Always confirm which, because this is the most common surprise on a bill.
Do You Even Need to Grind It? (An Honest Take)
Since you’re weighing the cost, it’s worth asking whether it’s worth spending at all. As an arborist, here’s my candid read:
Grind it if the stump is in your lawn or a walkway (trip hazard), you want to replant or landscape the spot, it’s sprouting suckers, or it’s drawing carpenter ants and other pests close to your home.
You can probably leave it if it’s tucked in a back corner you never use, it’s already well into decay, and it’s not in anyone’s way. A rotting stump in an unused fence line isn’t hurting anything, and you’re allowed to spend that money elsewhere.
I’d rather tell you that up front than grind something that didn’t need it.
Stump Grinding vs. Full Removal — Don’t Overpay
This distinction quietly costs people money, so it’s worth 30 seconds.
Grinding chews the stump down to a few inches below the surface and leaves the roots to rot away naturally. Faster, cheaper, far less mess. It’s what almost everyone actually wants.
Full removal physically rips out the entire stump and root ball, leaving a crater and requiring heavy equipment. It costs substantially more and is rarely necessary for a residential yard.
When you call around, make sure you’re comparing grinding quotes to grinding quotes — some companies will price removal unless you specify.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro: The Real Math for Your Yard
Renting a grinder in Portland runs about $90–$450 a day depending on size — before fuel, a trailer to haul it, and your weekend. For one small, open, easy-reach stump, DIY can genuinely pencil out.
For anything bigger, near the house, or on a slope, the math usually flips. These machines throw debris hard, are dangerous untrained, and one hit on a buried rock or utility line turns a $150 “savings” into a four-figure repair.
From the field: “People look at the rental price and think they’re saving a few hundred bucks. By the time you’ve rented a trailer, burned a tank of gas, and spent your Saturday fighting a machine that weighs more than you do, the math rarely works — and that’s if nothing goes wrong. The stumps we get called out to re-do after a DIY attempt usually cost more than if we’d just done it the first time.” — David Krone, ISA Certified Arborist (PN-5887A)
A Few Portland-Specific Things to Know
- Our clay and rocky soils. Much of Portland — Laurelhurst, the West Hills — sits on heavy clay, and older lots hide buried rock and fill. Rock wrecks grinder teeth fast, so crews price carefully when soil’s unknown. If you know your ground is rocky, mention it; it helps the quote.
- Buried utilities. In older, densely built Portland neighborhoods, undocumented irrigation, gas, and electrical lines are everywhere. Locating them before grinding isn’t optional — it’s one more reason DIY is risky here.
- Permits. Grinding a stump that’s already cut usually needs no permit. But removing the tree first often does in Portland. If your tree is still standing, check the Portland tree removal permit requirements before anything else.
How to Get a Quote You Can Trust
A fair, comparable estimate takes about five minutes of prep:
- Measure the stump across its widest point at ground level.
- Count your stumps and note any that are hard to reach.
- Snap a couple of photos — the stump and the route a crew would take to it. This alone lets a good company quote you tightly over the phone.
- Ask specifically about cleanup, depth, and surface roots, so every quote covers the same scope.
- Get it in writing. A reputable Portland company will put scope and price on paper, no pressure.
If a quote is dramatically lower than the others, ask what’s not included — usually it’s the haul-off, the depth, or insurance.
FAQs About Cost of Stump Grinding Portland
How much does stump grinding cost in Portland?
Most single stumps run $150 to $550, with the typical residential stump around $200 to $350. Price depends on diameter, species, access, and whether you want the chips hauled away. These are estimates — a free on-site visit gives you a firm number.
Is stump grinding cheaper than full stump removal?
Yes, significantly. Grinding leaves the roots to decompose instead of digging out the entire root ball, so it’s far less labor and equipment. It’s the right choice for most yards.
Does the price include hauling away the wood chips?
Not always. Some quotes leave the grindings as free mulch; others include haul-off for a fee. Always confirm before booking — it’s the most common surprise charge.
How deep do you grind a stump?
Standard is 4–6 inches below grade. For replanting, sod, or building over the spot, we can go 8–12 inches, which costs a bit more.
Will grinding wreck my lawn? With a pro crew, disruption is minimal and limited to right around the stump. You’re left with a depression that can be filled with the grindings or fresh topsoil and reseeded.
Do I need a permit to grind a stump in Portland?
Grinding an already-cut stump generally doesn’t require one. But removing the tree beforehand often does. If the tree’s still up, review the Portland tree removal permit requirements first.
How long does it take?
Most residential stumps take 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on size, wood density, and access.
Get Your Free Stump Grinding Estimate
Every stump and every yard is different — which is exactly why an on-site look beats any online number. Tell us what you’ve got, and we’ll give you a clear, written price with no surprises.
Request a free estimate or explore our stump grinding service,tree removal, and arborist services.