Tree and palm stumps

Stump Grinding in Honolulu, HI

Stumps ground out so you can replant, pave or simply mow, with grindings handled the way you choose.

We price jobs standing in your yard, anywhere in Honolulu and the south shore of Oʻahu
Written estimate with each job priced separately
Chips, logs and brush plan made at the estimate

Getting Rid of the Last Part of the Tree

Stump grinding uses a machine with a toothed wheel to chew a stump down into chips, usually several inches below the soil surface, so the spot can be filled, planted or turfed. It is faster and far less disruptive than digging a stump out, and the roots left in the ground slowly decay. On Honolulu lots, the main questions are how to get a grinder to the stump and what lies near it: a rock wall, a water line, a foundation or a neighbor's fence.

Why palm stumps matter here

On Oʻahu, rotting palm stumps are more than an eyesore. Coconut rhinoceros beetles breed in decaying palm material, and the state lists decaying palm stumps among the host materials whose movement it restricts. Grinding out a palm stump after removal takes away a breeding site. Palm stumps are fibrous rather than woody and grind differently, but they come out the same way.

Access on slopes and narrow lots

Grinders range from compact machines that fit through a garden gate to larger units that need a driveway. Many Honolulu homes have side yards a few feet wide, steps down to the back yard or a stump on a slope. We look at the route during the estimate and choose a machine that can get there without damaging walls or lawns. Where no machine can reach, a stump can sometimes be cut low by saw instead.

Roots, grindings and what comes next

Grinding removes the stump and the root flare, not the whole root system. Surface roots that run under a lawn or toward a path can be ground out separately. The grindings are a mix of wood and soil; they can be used to backfill the hole, spread as mulch, or hauled away covered. If you plan to replant in the same spot, it is usually better to remove most of the grindings and add soil, because fresh wood chips tie up nitrogen as they break down.

Before we grind

We ask you about irrigation lines, buried cables and anything else underground near the stump, and we can request a utility locate before digging into the ground near the street. The quote lists each stump, the depth and what happens to the grindings.

What We Handle

Grinding can be a single stump or a whole yard of them.

Single stump grinding

One stump ground below grade, with chips backfilled or hauled.

Palm stump grinding

Coconut and other palm stumps removed so they cannot rot and attract beetles.

Multiple stumps

Several stumps done in one visit at a lower price per stump.

Surface root grinding

Roots lifting lawns, paths or edges ground out along their length.

Grindings cleanup

Chips raked into the hole, spread as mulch or taken away covered.

Stump Grinding Costs at a Glance

Job	Published range
Average stump grinding, Honolulu (LawnStarter)	about $284
Stump grinding, Honolulu (Homeyou, 2026)	$75 to $1,000
Per inch of diameter (HomeAdvisor)	$2 to $5
Single stump minimum (HomeAdvisor)	$100 to $150
Each additional stump (HomeAdvisor)	$40 to $75
Grindings cleanup (HomeAdvisor)	$50 to $200

Figures from LawnStarter's Honolulu averages, Homeyou's Honolulu guide (October 2026) and HomeAdvisor's stump grinding guide. Large stumps, hard access and extensive surface roots raise the price. Your written estimate is the price.

How It Works

1. Measure and check access

We measure each stump, look at the route for the grinder and ask about buried lines.

2. Quote

Each stump, the grinding depth and the cleanup option are listed with a price.

3. Grind

The stump and root flare are ground below grade, with shields set up to keep chips off windows and cars.

4. Finish

Grindings are backfilled, spread or hauled covered, and the area is raked level.

Why Choose Us for Stump Grinding

The right size machine

We match the grinder to the gate, slope and stump so your walls and lawn come through intact.

Clear choices on cleanup

You decide what happens to the grindings before we start, and it is written on the quote.

Stump Grinding Questions

How deep is a stump ground?

Usually several inches below the soil surface, enough to cover with soil and grass. Deeper grinding is possible where you plan to plant or build. Tell us what you plan for the spot and we will set the depth to match.

Will the roots grow back after stump grinding?

Most trees will not regrow once the stump and root flare are ground out. Some species can send up sprouts from remaining roots for a while; these can be cut or ground. Palms do not resprout from the stump.

Should I grind out an old coconut stump?

Yes, especially on Oʻahu. Decaying palm stumps are breeding sites for coconut rhinoceros beetle, which has damaged thousands of coconut palms on the island. Grinding removes that habitat.

Can you grind a stump next to a wall or fence?

Usually, yes, though the last few inches against a wall may need to be cut by hand to avoid damage. We look at the wall's footing and tell you before quoting how close we can grind.

Get a Stump Grinding Estimate

Free stump grinding estimates in Honolulu, one price per stump.

Call (808) 746-9674 Free Estimate