How to Get Ready for Stump Grinding Day: A Checklist

What should you do before stump grinding day?

Clear the area, open the route, and mark what is buried. The crew works faster and safer when the stump is easy to reach and the hidden lines are known. Use the checklist below, and finish it the day before.

Learn how the machine works in how stump grinding works.

Which lines are yours to mark?

Private lines are yours. OHIO811 defines private utility lines as lines owned by the property owner that often run from the house to individual systems and structures on the property. Its examples include down spout drain lines, electric lines to a shed, lamp post or landscaping lights, and septic lines. Those are examples. Other lines on your property, such as sprinkler lines, may also be private, so ask a locating service or your company if you are unsure.

OHIO811 also says not all utilities are registered with it, and that private utility lines may need to be marked by you or your excavator using a utility locating service for hire. See the glossary entry on a private utility line.

A simple way to mark what you know:

1. Stick flags beside every sprinkler head near the stump.
2. Find the shut-off valve and note where it is.
3. Sketch where lines run from the house, even if you are not sure.
4. Tell the crew about anything you do not know. A sketch with “unsure” is better than a blank.

What do OHIO811 and Kentucky 811 say about digging?

Read the exact wording. Their pages talk about digging and excavation. They do not name stump grinding, so this post does not say that the law requires an 811 call for it.

Utility marks cover the public utilities that belong to OHIO811 or Kentucky 811. Ohio’s statute uses the word excavation, and the glossary page on how Ohio defines excavation quotes the definition.

Whether a company requests marking for a stump job is a question for that company. Ask about it when you request your free estimate. Allow time, because the notice periods above are measured in working days. The full guide is do you need to call 811 for stump grinding. A locate ticket is the record of a marking request.

What about gates, cars and pets?

Gates and cars decide whether the machine can reach the stump. Vermeer, a stump cutter maker, says both its track and wheel models fit through 36-inch gates. Other machines differ, so give the company your gate width and mention steps, slopes and fences. Move cars so the crew can park and turn.

Keep pets indoors for the visit. The sources used here do not address pets, so this is a general precaution. A machine this loud and the debris it throws are no place for an animal. Close the doors and windows on the side of the house nearest the work.

What should you tell the company?

A short message saves time. Include:

1. The stump width at its widest point.
2. Where it is, and how the machine can reach it.
3. What you want done with the chips: left, raked or hauled away.
4. Whether you plan to plant grass or a tree.
5. Any lines you know about, and any you are unsure of.

See get a stump grinding quote from photos for what to photograph.

What happens after the crew leaves?

A pile of wood chips stays in the hole unless you asked for them to be removed. The University of Illinois Extension says to haul off chipped stump debris and fill the hole with quality topsoil before planting turfgrass. Check the spot after rain. Ground can settle as roots decay. See after stump grinding and how to clean up after stump grinding.

Next step

Learn more about the machine in what a turf-friendly stump grinder is. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.