To remove tree roots, expose them with a shovel, cut them with a mattock or root saw, and pull or lever out the sections. For large surface roots, professional root grinding costs about $150 per stump or $100 to $200 an hour.
Prefer to have roots ground out? See prices on the stump grinding costs homepage and in our root grinding cost guide.
Step 1: Call 811 and expose the roots
Dig along each root and wash soil away with a hose.
Step 2: Cut the roots
Step 3: Pull or lever out sections
Step 4: Fill and repair
Fill trenches with topsoil and reseed. See how to plant grass after stump grinding.
Keep reading
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Cost guide Tree Root Grinding Cost Grinding surface roots usually adds about $150 per stump, or $100 to $200 an hour. See root grinding prices, when roots need removal and how to keep costs down. -
DIY How to Remove a Tree Stump by Hand How to dig out a tree stump by hand with a mattock, shovel and root saw. Step-by-step method, tools, time needed and which stumps are small enough to try. -
After grinding Will a Tree Grow Back After Stump Grinding? Will a tree grow back after stump grinding? Which species resprout from roots, how to stop suckers and when deeper grinding or a stump killer is needed.
Browse all stump guides or go back to the stump grinding costs homepage.
Frequently asked questions
How do I remove tree roots from my yard?
Dig around them, cut them into sections with a mattock or root saw and pull them out.
How much does professional root removal cost?
Root grinding typically adds about $150 per stump, or $100 to $200 an hour for large root systems.
Will cutting roots kill a living tree?
Cutting large roots can harm or destabilize a living tree. Ask an arborist before cutting roots of a tree you want to keep.
Do I need to remove roots after the tree is gone?
Usually not. Roots decay on their own. Remove only those in the way.
What tool is best for cutting roots?
A pick mattock for chopping and a root saw for clean cuts in soil.
How do I kill roots that keep sprouting?
Cut shoots repeatedly or apply a triclopyr stump killer to fresh cuts.
Are tree roots damaging my pipes?
Roots can invade cracked sewer lines. A plumber can inspect with a camera.
Do I need to call 811 before digging out roots?
Yes. Utilities can run through root zones. Calling 811 is free.
Sources and methodology
Last updated . Prices are estimates built from published contractor rates, national cost guides and federal labor data. Read how we calculate prices.