Frequently Asked Questions

While it is possible to estimate your project over the phone, it would be more accurately priced if our team could visit and inspect the stump in person. Our in-person estimates are completely free.

To get a more accurate estimate for the stump removal, you should wait until your trees have been cut.

Any surface roots connecting to a stump for removal will be chipped up. 

Certainly. Our team can remove the wood chips for an additional charge. 

Yes, absolutely. Monarch Stump Grinding conducts business according to all laws and rules. 

Yes, we have a minimal charge. There is a $350 fee for customers within a 25-mile radius of DeRidder, LA; $500 for customers within a 50-mile radius; and $1000 for customers within a 100-mile radius. 

Making a free 811 utility location call is necessary to avoid any unintentional digging into an underground utility line. 

All jobs are estimated by the individual stump so we can provide the best customer service. 

Yes, our service includes leveling the wood chips at the stump unless the customer prefers the placement or removal of wood chips. 

We strongly advise using wood chips in flower beds or landscaping only after they have been composted. 

Unless the customer has a special request, all stumps are chipped down to a minimum of 6 in. below ground level. 

Stump removal is the process of digging out the stump with equipment such as an excavator, leaving a cavity in the old location of the stump.
Stump grinding is the process of chipping or cutting up all above-ground wood portions and some portion of the underground wood portions (ROOTS)

1. Stump wood can be described as the toughest portion of a tree or shrub.
2. Stump wood represents a dense, inter grained with interlocking fibers and hard, stiff, and high-strength textures.
3. Stump wood is even hard to cut with a larger-sized chainsaw.

It is advised to wait a few years before replanting another tree in the same location. Stump wood and stump mulch possess many chemical compounds that do not support soil health until it is fully composted. Furthermore, decomposing wood and roots are home to many pests that will feed on the roots of newly planted trees.

1. Natural Decomposition -Very slow process and could take many decades of years depending on the size and species of a stump. This process comes with the least financial cost.
2. Burn Out- Stump wood is dense and does not burn easily, especially when it is still in the ground and depleted of oxygen. As a result, the stump will smolder and generate lots of smoke. This process is low in financial cost, excluding your labor. FYI: Stumps that are charred/ burnt from burning to bring a higher cost to grind out. Charred/burnt stump wood is very hard to cut. In addition, charred/ burnt wood is very rot-resistant.
3. Explosives- Very dangerous practice that comes with many legal requirements. This avenue is always reserved for areas far away from structures and utilities. This process comes at an elevated financial cost even if able to find someone to execute it.
4. Excavation- Most Often Involves Large, Heavy equipment (over 40,000 lbs/ 18,000 KG)
   Leaving behind a cavity in the ground and the need to dispose of the stump. Furthermore, the soil will need to fill in the hole left by the stump. This method is often the most expensive while disturbing (packing and rutting) your ground or landscape.
5. Chemical- A process of drilling/injecting chemical compounds into the stump to speed up the decomposition of the wood. This process involves repeat treatments and will almost always take several years still, depending on the species and size of the stump.
6. Grinding/Cutting/Chipping- A process that involves a specialized machine that cuts the stump into small mulch-sized pieces. This method is usually the best option; of the financial time of completion and great aesthetics (looks).

1. Some species have the ability to resprout and start growing again from the stump or roots. These resprout what is called epicormic shoots. Epicormic shoots are “false” shoots. This means they have a poor attachment to the ‘mother’ tree and are not ‘true’ plants which means they are not long-term viable plants.
2. They are home to many pests, such as raccoons, snakes, rats, roaches, termites, ants, spiders, and YES, MOLD!
3. They are subject to many liability problems for humans and pets.
4. Extra costs to mow around both stumps and surface roots.
5. They depreciate the value of your property.
6. They are an eyesore.

1. Species-Each type of wood represents differences in hardness, grain patterns, specific gravity, and cell structures
2. How long the tree has been cut; correlation to the moisture content of the wood.
3. Size-larger stumps will be cut higher off the ground, have larger root flares, and have more heartwood than sapwood
4. Presence of foreign material grown into the stump or at the stump (concrete, metal, rocks, pipe, fence, wire, chain, glass, tires, etc.)
5. Location-address or place to travel to a job site
6. Accessibility- degree of challenge to reach or move around obstacles
7. The decision to leave, haul away, or relocate debris away from the stump.
8. Requests for depth of grinding outside of our standard depth of 4-6 inches below ground grade.

1. Your Time and Labor
2. Your physical ability and capability to operate the machine (standing, bending, squatting, and lifting for extended periods of time)
3. Fuel to pickup, operate and return.
4. Truck and trailer to haul equipment.
5. How to move the debris after the stump is ground away.
6. Safety items needed for yourself and your property (boots, hearing protection, face shields, hard hats, long pants, long sleeves, screens, and tarps to stop flying debris, ……)
7. Insurance(s) for unplanned circumstances.

Wood chips and roots are going to rot into the soil, leaving a void. Therefore they must be removed to lessen the chances of settling on the structure. In addition, the rotting wood invites insects like ants, termites, and roaches.