Backfill

Backfill is whatever soil goes back into a hole. For a ground stump, the hole is often the size of the stump plus the roots that were cut.

Iowa State Extension says the hole is only filled if requested, and that the service typically costs extra. Purdue Extension says soil should be added to replace the below ground roots and stump, and it suggests a little additional soil mounded to compensate for some decay.

Good backfill is clean topsoil, not the chip and dirt mix the grinder left. Compact it lightly in layers, because soft backfill settles later. Ask about it when you request your free estimate. See after stump grinding.