Stump Grinding in Denville, NJ

Stump grinding in Denville often starts with getting the machine to the stump. Lake properties tend to have narrow side yards, steps down to the water and retaining walls, so compact grinders that fit through a gate are common. On hillside lots in sections like Union Hill and Beacon Hill, the operator may need to approach from above or below the stump, and very steep spots take more time and care. Retaining walls and old stone steps, which are common on Denville lake properties, also need protecting, and the operator may lay down plywood to keep a heavy machine from rutting a soft lawn near the shore.

Rock is the other Denville factor. Much of the hilly ground here is glacier worked, and the Tourne next door is known for big glacial boulders. Stones wrapped in roots can dull or chip grinder teeth and slow the job, so stumps on rocky ground sometimes cost more. Before grinding, crews generally call 811, New Jersey One Call, to have buried utilities marked. Tell the contractor about irrigation lines, lighting, a septic tank or drain field, or a buried propane line near the stump. Rocky spots may also leave a shallower result, which matters if you plan to build over the area.

Grinding leaves a pile of chips roughly the size of the stump or bigger. Ask whether the quote includes raking it out, hauling it away or backfilling with topsoil so the spot is ready for seed. On a lakefront lot, ask the crew to keep chips away from the shoreline, since loose material washes into the water with the next storm. If you plan to replant, set the new tree a few feet away from the old stump. Expect some roots to keep breaking down under the surface for a few years after grinding.

Signs you need stump grinding

• An old stump you mow around in a Denville backyard
• Shoots coming up from roots left after an earlier removal
• Plans for a patio, shed or new plantings where the stump sits
• A rotting stump on a slope that is starting to wash out
• A tripping hazard on the path down to the lake

Questions about stump grinding

Worth knowing in Denville

1. The March 6-7, 2018 snowstorm brought down trees, limbs and wires and caused numerous power outages; Denville spent $37,467 on snow removal for it.

   morriscountynj.gov

2. An August 3, 2018 severe thunderstorm with a funnel cloud left the township with downed trees and power loss.

   morriscountynj.gov

3. The county hazard mitigation plan estimates Denville's severe weather losses at about $56,000 a year on average and $1.2 million for a 100 year event.

   morriscountynj.gov

Typical costs in Denville