Full stump removal means pulling the entire root ball out of the ground, not just chewing the visible stump down to mulch. We bring in an excavator or a skid-steer with a grapple attachment, cut the major roots with a chainsaw and root saw, and lift the whole mass out — trunk, crown roots, and as much of the lateral root system as reasonably comes with it. It’s dirtier and slower than grinding, and it leaves a hole that needs backfill. Most Twin Cities homeowners don’t need it. But if you’re building over that exact spot, it’s the only method that actually works.
How full removal works
We start by exposing the root collar with a shovel or air spade so we can see what we’re cutting into. Major structural roots get severed with a chainsaw, and then the excavator or skid-steer works the root ball loose and lifts it clear. On mature oaks and maples this can mean a hole 4-6 feet across and 2-3 feet deep. We haul the stump and root mass off site, backfill with black dirt or a dirt/gravel mix depending on what’s going in next, and grade it level. Fence gates under 42 inches usually rule out the excavator, in which case we quote a hand-dig approach instead.
- Site walk to confirm access for excavator or skid-steer.
- Expose root collar and cut major structural roots.
- Lift and extract the root ball with heavy equipment.
- Load and haul off stump, root mass, and excess soil.
- Backfill hole with black dirt and rough-grade the area.
What this costs in the Twin Cities
Full removal runs 40-70% more than grinding the same stump, because of the equipment time, hole backfill, and disposal weight. Our $250 minimum still applies as the floor. A 20-inch backyard maple that would grind for $325-$375 typically runs $500-$650 for full removal once you add excavator time and two yards of black dirt backfill. Anything over 30 inches in diameter, or removals that require tearing out a section of fence or driveway to get equipment in, get quoted from photos and a site visit rather than a flat number.
- Full removal typically adds 40-70% over grinding-only pricing for the same stump.
- Backfill with black dirt runs an extra $75-$150 depending on hole size.
- Fence or gate removal for equipment access is quoted separately, usually $100-$200.
- Root systems from silver maples and cottonwoods take longer and cost more than oak or ash of the same diameter.
When you actually need this
For the vast majority of Twin Cities yards, grinding is the right call — it’s faster, cheaper, and leaves the ground stable enough to seed within a couple of weeks. Full removal earns its higher price tag in a narrow set of cases: anything structural is going on top of that exact spot, or you’re planting a new tree where the old roots would compete with it. If your only goal is a flat, mowable lawn, don’t pay for full removal you don’t need.
- Pouring a concrete slab, patio, or shed foundation directly over the old stump location.
- Installing an in-ground pool or hot tub within a few feet of the root zone.
- Replanting a new tree in the exact same spot — old roots interfere with new root establishment.
- Underground utility trenching planned within 2 feet of the stump.
- Selling a property where a buyer’s inspection flagged the stump as a grading issue.
Text a photo of your stump to 952-388-3327. We’ll text back a fixed quote — usually within an hour on weekdays.