Here's something that surprises people: when a stump is ground out, the pile of chips and soil left behind looks bigger than the stump did. That's because the stump was solid wood packed into a small footprint, and grinding fluffs it up into chips mixed with the soil that was around it. The volume grows, even though the actual material is the same.
So cleanup isn't an afterthought — it's half the job. A stump that's ground but not cleaned up leaves a mound of chips sitting in the yard, and that's not what you wanted. You wanted the stump gone and the spot usable. Cleanup is what gets you there.
At ARM Co Stump Grinding, cleanup is part of every job, not an add-on. After the grinder is done, Bob rakes the chips and soil smooth so the area is level with the surrounding ground. From there you have two choices for what happens to the grindings, and you get to pick.
- Rayco track-mounted stump grinder
- Handles stumps from 3 inches in diameter to 8 feet wide
- Residential & commercial
- Cleanup after every job
How Bob Does It
- 1
Tell us your cleanup preference
When you book the job — or when Bob is on site — let him know whether you want the grindings left as mulch or hauled away. Either is fine; it's your yard.
- 2
The stump is ground out
Bob grinds the stump into chips with the Rayco track-mounted grinder. That leaves the pile of chips and soil where the stump used to be.
- 3
We rake it smooth
Bob rakes the chips and soil so the spot is level with the surrounding ground. No mound, no dip — just a flat area where the stump was.
- 4
Mulch left, or hauled away
If you want mulch, the raked chips stay in place. If you want them gone, Bob loads them up and hauls them away so you're left with a clean slate.
Your Two Options
Once the stump is ground and the chips are raked smooth, you have two choices for what happens next. The first option: we leave the grindings in place as mulch. Raked out level, the wood chips make a decent mulch layer that holds moisture and breaks down over time. If the stump was in a flower bed or a spot where mulch is welcome, this is the easy choice — nothing leaves the yard, and the chips do some good.
The second option: we haul the grindings away. If you want a completely clean spot — say you're going to lay sod, build a shed, or just don't want wood chips in the lawn — Bob loads the chips up and takes them with him. You're left with bare soil ready for whatever's next.
Neither option is right or wrong; it depends on what you're doing with the spot. Tell Bob which you'd prefer when you book, or decide on the day once you see how much material there is. We'll handle it either way.
Getting the Spot Ready for Grass or Plants
If you're planning to grow grass or plants where the stump was, there's one thing to know: grindings settle as they break down. Wood chips shrink and compact as they decompose, so a spot that looks level today can dip a few months from now. For a flower bed that's fine. For a lawn, it means you'll want to prep the spot.
For grass, the best approach is to remove most of the wood chips first, then fill the spot with topsoil before you seed or lay sod. That gives the grass solid ground to root into, and it keeps the spot from sinking as the remaining chips break down. A layer of topsoil over a thin layer of chips works well.
One more thing about Northeast Georgia yards: a lot of the soil under those chips is Georgia Piedmont red clay. Red clay drains slowly, and a patch of ground that's been churned up by grinding can hold water after a rain until it's topped up and settled. Filling with topsoil and letting it settle before you seed helps keep the spot from turning into a small puddle.
What Customers Say
“Bob came to our house and did an amazing job of grinding several stumps we had in the front yard! Everything was on target even the price! Thanks Bob for a job well done!”
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Grinding Cleanup & Mulch Removal — Common Questions
Is cleanup included in the stump grinding job?
Yes. Cleanup is part of every job, not an extra. We rake the grindings smooth so the spot is level, whether you leave them as mulch or have us haul them away.
Should I leave the grindings as mulch or have them hauled away?
It depends on your plans for the spot. Leave them as mulch for flower beds or areas where mulch is welcome. Have them hauled away if you're laying sod or want a clean slate.
Why does the pile of chips look bigger than the stump?
Grinding fluffs the solid wood up into chips mixed with soil, so the volume grows even though the actual material is the same. That's normal, and we rake it down level.
Can I lay sod right where the stump was ground?
For the best result, remove most of the chips and fill with topsoil first. Grindings settle as they break down, so topping with topsoil keeps the spot from sinking later.
Will the spot hold water after grinding?
It can, briefly. A lot of Northeast Georgia soil is red clay that drains slowly. Filling the spot with topsoil and letting it settle helps keep it from puddling.
How do I get a quote for cleanup and mulch removal?
Call or text Bob a photo of the stump at (706) 207-2341. Tell him whether you'd like the grindings left as mulch or hauled away.
Where We Work
ARM Co Stump Grinding is locally owned in Madison County and serves six Northeast Georgia counties. See the full service area →
Clarke County
Oconee County
Oglethorpe County
Franklin County
Get a Stump Grinding Quote
Tell us about the job. Bob will get back to you. Or call (706) 207-2341.