Who grinds a stump on a Cincinnati tree lawn?
If the stump comes from a city-maintained tree, Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry handles the request. You send it through 311Cincy, the city’s service request system. The 311 page for this request is titled “Tree Stump Removal on Public Property.”
The same page defines the scope. It is for a stump from a public tree planted in the right of way or tree lawn that the city maintains. Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry describes its job this way: “Our team is responsible for the maintenance of all City street trees, or any trees in a right-of-way.”
Two terms matter here. The tree lawn is the strip between the sidewalk and the street. The right of way is the public land that strip sits on. A street tree growing there is a public tree.
How do I tell whose stump I have?
Start with where the stump sits. The 311 page covers a stump from a city-maintained tree in the right of way or tree lawn. The property line, not the look of the yard, decides which side a stump is on, and the city pages do not publish a map rule.
The table below sorts the common cases. It follows the two city pages. Confirm any doubtful case with Urban Forestry.
| Where the stump is | Whose it is | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| On the tree lawn or in the right of way, from a city-maintained tree | The city’s public tree | Send the 311Cincy stump request |
| On your lot, from a tree you owned | Yours | Hire a company or grind it yourself |
| Not sure where the line is | Unknown | Call Urban Forestry at 513-861-9070 before any work |
For a longer look at ownership questions, see who owns the stump on the tree lawn.
What happens after I send a 311 request?
The city page lists a short process. It has two steps, and both belong to the city.
- Forestry staff check if the stump is already on the list and scheduled for grinding.
- If it is not on the list, a forester investigates the stump grinding request and updates the requestor with their findings.
The page does not state a time frame. It does not promise a grinding date. Treat the forester’s update as the answer for your stump.
The request type on the 311 site is “Tree, stump removal in ROW (right of way).” The page routes it to the “Cincinnati Parks, Urban Forestry Team.” For questions about the process, the page says to contact Parks Urban Forestry at 513-861-9070 during normal business hours.
Can I grind a city tree stump myself?
Not without city approval. Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry says the Cincinnati Municipal Code requires a Public Tree Work Permit before work on or near a public tree. The page says the code “requires you to obtain a Public Tree Work Permit prior to conducting the work.”
That wording covers work on or near a public tree, so the safe step is to ask Urban Forestry first. A public tree work permit is the document the city uses for this. For the costs tied to a removal that a resident requests, read the Cincinnati street tree removal permit cost post.
What if the stump is on my own property?
Then the city program does not apply, and the choice is yours. You can pay a company to do stump grinding, try another method, or leave the stump. Compare the options in stump grinding vs stump removal.
Digging is a separate question from ownership. Before any machine goes into the ground, read before you grind: 811, tree lawn and permits. It quotes what OHIO811 and Ohio law actually say about notice before digging, and it explains which lines the utility marks cover.
Cincinnati Stump Grinding is a private company. It is not part of any city program, and it does not take 311 requests. This post explains the public process only. For the Cincinnati service pages, see stump grinding in Cincinnati.
Quick summary
- A stump from a city-maintained tree in the tree lawn or right of way goes through a 311Cincy request.
- Urban Forestry checks its list, then a forester investigates and updates you.
- Work on or near a public tree needs a Public Tree Work Permit under the city code.
- A stump on your own lot is yours to deal with.
- Process questions go to Urban Forestry at 513-861-9070, Monday through Friday.
Page details were read on the city sites on October 26, 2026. City pages change, so check the 311 page before you file.
Next step
Read before you grind: 811, tree lawn and permits to sort out public and private stumps. If the stump is on your own lot, call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How do I ask Cincinnati to grind a stump on the tree lawn?
Use the 311Cincy request called Tree Stump Removal on Public Property. It is for a stump from a public tree in the right of way or tree lawn that the city maintains. The request routes to the Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry team.
What happens after I send the 311 request?
The city page lists two steps. Forestry staff check whether the stump is already on the list and scheduled for grinding. If it is not, a forester investigates the request and updates you with the findings.
Who do I call with questions about the process?
The 311 page says to contact Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry at 513-861-9070 during normal business hours. The Urban Forestry page lists Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Terms on this page
Sources
Written by Cincinnati Stump Grinding and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. City rules and product guidance change, so check the linked page before you act.