---
title: "What Is Backfill? Stump Grinding Glossary | Cincinnati Stump Grinding"
description: "Backfill is soil used to refill a hole, such as the hole left after a stump is ground and its chips are removed. From the Cincinnati Stump Grinding glossary."
url: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/backfill
publisher: Cincinnati Stump Grinding
phone: +1-513-587-6772
quote: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact
---

Soil

# Backfill

Backfill is soil used to refill a hole, such as the hole left after a stump is ground and its chips are removed.

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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/topsoil), not the chip and dirt mix the grinder left. Compact it lightly in layers, because soft backfill [settles](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/soil-settling) later. Ask about it when you request your free estimate. See [after stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/after-stump-grinding).

[From Cincinnati Stump GrindingChip haul-away and topsoil](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/services/chip-haul-away-topsoil)

## Related terms

-   [Topsoil](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/topsoil)
-   [Soil settling](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/soil-settling)
-   [Stump grindings](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-grindings)
-   [Sod](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/sod)
-   [Below grade](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/below-grade)

## Sources

1.  [Iowa State University Extension, Yard and Garden: How to Remove Tree Stumps](https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-remove-tree-stumps)
2.  [Purdue Extension: Can I Plant Grass Over Newly Removed Stump](https://extension.purdue.edu/news/2021/06/Question-Can-I-Plant-Grass-Over-Newly-Removed-Stump.html)
3.  [Purdue Extension: Can I Plant Grass Over Newly Removed Stump](https://extension.purdue.edu/news/2021/06/Question-Can-I-Plant-Grass-Over-Newly-Removed-Stump.html)