Got an old stump sitting in your yard? The kind that catches your mower every time? That stubborn piece of wood, yes. Since the storm knocked down the old tree last spring, it's remained there. https://www.rootedingracestumpco.com/ It’s like a bad tattoo on a clean lawn.
Enough is enough—time to fix it.
Stump grinding isn't fun. It’s not like it’s exciting work. But the relief afterward? Incredible. Your lawn will finally look smooth again. And no more termites turning it into their dance floor.
Local climate doesn’t do you any favors. Rotting wood + Tennessee humidity = mushrooms galore. One guy I talked to said that mushrooms would pop up like little umbrellas after every rain. "It looked like a meeting of fairies," he added. Not exactly the vibe he wanted.
The fix? Quick and simple. One machine, and it’s wood chips. You usually won't have to reseed. Just rake the chips, add water, and boom: the lawn is back to normal.
Some people try to set roots on fire. Not a good idea. What are fire codes? Very strict here. One guy tried and almost torched his shed. Now he says he’s retired from “DIY fire experiments.”
Others dump chemicals on it. Apply and wait months. Six months! In that period, you may plant a small forest. And to be honest, those chemicals don't always work. I saw a guy waste two bottles on a hickory stump. He said, "It just sat there." "Grinning at me."
The process is quick—just a few hours. Completed that day. No waiting around. No indications in the smoke. No angry HOA letters.
And the roots? Sure, they run deep. But stump grinders dig deeper. Most grind a foot under. That's enough to stop the plants from growing back and make room for new ones, or a patio if you're finally remodeling your backyard.
One woman made a fire pit out of the cleared area. Someone else planted a garden bed. Her tomatoes went wild.
What about cost? It depends. Size is important. A grapefruit-sized stump costs little. A monster from a maple tree that is 50 years old? Sure, that will cost extra. Still cheaper than tripping every summer.
Locals say October is best. The grass is sleeping. Ground’s firm. Not as much mess. Also, crews aren't as busy as they are in the spring.
Don't wait for the stump to "go away." That takes forever. Meanwhile, it’s ugly, risky, and bug-friendly.
Just grind it down. Then ignore that it ever happened. Like the bad haircut you got in 2003.