Melbourne stump grinding ranges by stump diameter, hardwood vs softwood, and whether we're already on site for a removal. Real 2026 numbers, transparent bands, always confirmed by a free site quote.
Stump grinding is priced primarily by stump diameter — the width of the stump at ground level — with a smaller adjustment for hardwood vs softwood species. Grinding uses a self-propelled cutter wheel that chips the stump down to 100–300mm below ground level, so you can replant, lay turf, pave or build over the site.
The most important cost variable isn't visible in the price bands: whether we're already on site for a tree removal. If we are, you save $50–$100 because there's no separate mobilisation. If it's a stump-only visit, the minimum call-out is $180–$220 to cover getting the grinder to your site.
Three bands cover almost every residential stump job. Measure the stump width at ground level (or estimate — we'll confirm on site).
| Job Size | Typical Range | What's Included / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small Under 30cm diameter |
$150 – $280 | Small ornamentals, hedge stumps, fruit tree stumps. Fast job — usually under an hour of grinding time. Minimum call-out applies if it's a stump-only visit. |
| Medium 30cm – 60cm diameter |
$250 – $500 | Backyard trees, older shrubs, medium eucalypts. Usually 1–2 hours of grinding. Priced up if the stump is hardwood or has significant root flare. |
| Large / Multiple / Hardwood 60cm+ diameter, or 3+ stumps in one visit, or hardwood species |
$400 – $900 | Mature eucalypt, elm, oak or plane tree stumps. Also priced here when multiple smaller stumps are grouped into one visit. May need a larger grinder brought in. |
Diameter and species are the main variables. Four other factors shift the quote within a band.
Eucalypt, elm, oak, plane tree, camphor laurel — hardwoods take significantly longer to grind than the same-diameter cypress, pine or silver birch. Species is on the quote form for this reason.
Some stumps flare out significantly at ground level, or have surface roots radiating out from the trunk. Grinding to a proper depth requires chasing those roots — adds 20–40% grinding time on flared stumps compared to a straight-sided trunk of the same visible diameter.
Front-yard stumps with driveway or truck access are cheapest. Rear-yard stumps behind gates need a smaller stump grinder that fits through the opening — smaller machine = slower job. If your side gate is under 800mm, tell us at quote time so we can bring the right size machine.
Standard grind: 100–150mm below ground level (fine for turf, garden bed, mulch). Deeper grind for paving or building over the site: 250–300mm below ground level. Deeper grind = more time = higher end of the band.
Two adjustments the price bands don't show — one saves you money, one adds to it.
If we're already on site for a tree removal, the stump-grind is priced against the marginal time only — no separate mobilisation, no travel, no separate call-out. You save $50–$100 versus a stump-only visit.
If you're only booking a stump-grind (no removal on the same visit), we apply a minimum call-out that covers getting the grinder to your site. For a single small stump, this puts you at the top of the small-tier range even though the grind itself is quick.
Standard: chip is left in the hole as backfill (settles over a few weeks). If you want the chip removed and the hole topped up with clean soil, that's a small add-on — usually $50–$120 depending on stump size and how much fill is needed.
Grouping 2 or more stumps into a single visit brings each stump's effective price down — you're paying one call-out, not several. Line them up on the quote request form and we'll price them as a batch.
Fill in the form and the TLC Team will get back to you the same business day with an obligation-free quote — sized to your actual tree, yard and access, not an off-the-rack rate.
The questions Melbourne homeowners ask most often when getting a stump-grinding quote.
For 2026, ranges are: small stumps under 30cm diameter $150–$280, medium 30–60cm $250–$500, large or hardwood or multiple stumps $400–$900. Minimum call-out $180–$220 for stump-only visits. Save $50–$100 when booked with a tree removal on the same visit. Every job is confirmed by a free site quote.
You can leave it — many Melbourne yards have stumps used as seating, planter bases or garden features. Grinding is only necessary if you want to replant on the spot, lay turf, install paving, build over the site, or if the stump is a trip hazard or sprouting suckers you don't want. There's no council or safety obligation to grind a stump just because the tree came down.
Standard grind is 100–150mm below ground level, which is fine for turf, garden bed, mulch or general landscaping. If you're paving, laying a slab, or building over the site, we'll grind to 250–300mm below ground — that costs more because it takes longer but avoids sinking or heaving later as any remaining root material breaks down.
No. Once the stump and crown are removed, the tree has no way to produce leaves or photosynthesise, so the root system dies and decomposes naturally over 3–7 years depending on species and soil. Some fast-growing species (privet, camphor laurel, willow) may throw suckers from surface roots — these are pulled or spot-sprayed, and stop once the root reserves deplete.
The standard stump grinder handles the stump and the immediate root flare around it. Beyond that — surface roots running metres from the trunk, or roots under paving or a slab — is a different job (hand digging, excavator, or leaving in place to decompose). We flag on the site visit whether root work beyond the stump is worth the cost for your specific situation.
Standard: we leave it in the hole as backfill. It's a mix of wood chip, soil and small root fragments, and it settles over 4–8 weeks — top up with clean soil then if you want a level surface. Alternative: haul it away and top up with clean soil at the visit ($50–$120 extra depending on stump size). Some homeowners take the chip for garden mulch — happy to leave it in a pile if you want that instead.