Do you need to remove roots after stump grinding?
Usually no. A grinder takes out the stump and the large lateral roots near it, and the remaining roots rot in the ground. Iowa State Extension says grinders “chew away the stump and any large lateral roots, typically down 8 to 12 inches.” Purdue Extension says “it can take several years to fully decompose the stump unless it was ground very deeply or removed with an excavation machine.”
Most yards do fine with the roots left in place. The next section lists the cases where you may not want to.
When do leftover roots matter?
Roots matter when you plan to build, dig or plant exactly where they sit. The table lists the common cases.
| Plan | Why roots matter | What the source says |
|---|---|---|
| New lawn over the stump | Ground settles as wood rots | Purdue: “The soil should be added to replace the below ground roots and stump.” |
| New tree in the same spot | Little soil and root room | Purdue says the spot has limited soil and rooting depth. See Can you plant a tree after stump grinding? |
| Patio, footing or pipe | You may hit roots while digging | Iowa State describes cutting lateral roots with a saw |
| Roots against a building | Wood in the ground near a house | Kentucky: “Where practical, remove stumps and dead roots around and beneath buildings.” |
| Sprouts keep coming | Roots may store energy for the tree | Purdue says sprouts may form for that reason. See Will a stump grow back? |
If none of these fit your plan, you may not need to touch the roots at all.
How are roots removed?
Extension pages describe hand digging for a whole stump, not for roots alone. Iowa State gives these steps for a stump under about 12 inches across:
- Dig a trench one to two feet deep around the stump.
- Use a saw to sever all lateral roots you encounter.
- Pry the stump to one side, using a long, sturdy pry bar, to cut roots underneath.
- Fill the hole with topsoil and replant as needed.
Iowa State calls this “very labor-intensive” and says that “digging or pulling the stump of a larger tree is not practical.” It also warns to “use great caution when using a chain or rope to pry or pull the stump from the ground,” because chains that slip or break “can cause great harm to people and property in the area.”
The pages we opened do not describe grinding roots farther out with a machine. Ask about it when you request your free estimate.
Call 811 before you dig
Digging a trench is excavation. Look at Before you grind: 811, tree lawns and permits and Do you need to call 811 for stump grinding? for what the official pages say. The short version: utility marks cover public lines. Private lines, such as a sprinkler line, an invisible fence or a lamp post, are the owner’s to mark.
What about chemicals to kill the roots?
Herbicide does not remove roots. It may reduce sprouting. Iowa State says “while herbicides can be used to prevent resprouting, they are not beneficial for promoting decay of the stump.” Read Does stump killer work? before you buy a product, and follow the product label.
What happens if I just leave them?
The roots decay. Over the years the ground can settle, and in some species sprouts may show up. Illinois Extension notes that mushrooms may come up “as the decay follows the path of the tree root,” even when the stump was ground. See Mushrooms on tree stumps. Add soil to low spots, as Purdue advises, and watch for sprouts.
Compare this with leaving a stump to rot on its own. Iowa State says that can take “10+ years.” Grinding shortens that. See How deep does stump grinding go? and the glossary entries for lateral roots, grinding depth and stump grinding.
Next step
For the full set of root, sprout, termite and mushroom questions, read Tree roots, stumps and regrowth. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to remove roots after stump grinding?
No. Purdue Extension says it can take several years for a stump to fully decompose, and the roots break down with it. Remove roots only when they are in the way of a pipe, patio, footing or new planting.
How do you remove roots after stump grinding?
Iowa State describes digging a trench one to two feet deep around the stump and using a saw to sever all lateral roots you encounter. That page describes digging out a whole stump of under about 12 inches across. It does not give steps for roots alone.
Can a grinder grind the roots too?
A grinder chews away the stump and any large lateral roots, typically down 8 to 12 inches, per Iowa State. Grinding farther out along a root is a separate job. Ask about it when you request your free estimate.
Will leftover roots cause the ground to sink?
Purdue says there will be significant settling of the ground as the stump decays and loses its structural fiber. It advises adding soil to replace the below ground roots and stump, and a little extra mounded for decay.
Are roots near the house a problem?
The University of Kentucky says to remove stumps and dead roots around and beneath buildings where practical. The page is about termite prevention. A pest professional can inspect if you see swarmers or mud tubes.
Terms on this page
Sources
- Iowa State Extension: How to Remove Tree Stumps
- Purdue Extension: Question: Can I Plant Grass Over Newly Removed Stump
- University of Kentucky Entomology: Protecting your Home Against Termites (ENTFACT-605)
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.