Should I Remove Tree Stumps From My Backyard?

Last Updated: 27 August 2026

If you've had a tree removed but the stump is still sitting in your backyard, you might be wondering whether it's actually worth removing.

In most cases, my answer is pretty simple: if the stump is getting in your way, looks ugly, makes mowing difficult or stops you using that part of the yard properly, get rid of it.

But that doesn't mean every stump needs to be removed immediately.

At MarKay Outdoors, we hire stump grinders in Mackay, and one thing I've noticed is that people often put stump removal off because they expect it to be a much bigger job than it actually is.

Once they finally tackle it, they're often surprised by how quickly the stump disappears.

There is a bit of a workout involved though. 😂

Do You Actually Need to Remove a Tree Stump?

Not necessarily.

If you've got a stump tucked away somewhere on the property where it isn't causing problems, there's nothing saying you have to remove it.

If it's not bothering you, leave it.

But backyard stumps tend to become annoying when they're:

• Getting in the way of mowing
• Creating a trip or obstacle hazard
• Taking up usable lawn or garden space
• Interfering with landscaping plans
• Regrowing or producing shoots
• Sitting where you want to install turf, gardens or other landscaping
• Simply making an otherwise tidy backyard look unfinished

Ultimately, it comes down to what you want from your yard.

If you're constantly mowing around the stump or looking at it thinking, I really need to get rid of that thing, it's probably time.

Why People Put Off Stump Removal

One of the biggest things I've noticed is that people assume removing a stump is going to be a massive job.

They picture digging around it, cutting roots, trying to pull it out or spending an entire weekend fighting with it.

Stump grinding changes that.

Customers who've hired our stump grinder have often found that the actual grinding didn't take nearly as long as they expected.

That doesn't mean there's zero effort involved. You're still operating and manoeuvring a machine, so depending on the stump and conditions, you'll know you've done some work by the end of it.

But it's usually a very different job from trying to dig an established stump and root system out by hand.

Grinding a Stump vs Digging It Out

There is an important difference between stump grinding and complete stump removal.

Grinding removes the visible stump and takes it down below the surrounding ground level. The underground root system isn't normally excavated completely.

For most backyard situations, that's exactly what you want.

You're getting the obstruction out of the way without excavating a huge hole just to chase every root through the yard.

Once the stump is sufficiently below ground level, you can backfill the area and start getting the lawn or landscaping back into shape.

How Deep Should You Grind a Tree Stump?

Our stump grinder is capable of grinding up to approximately 300 mm below the surface, but that doesn't mean every stump needs to be taken that deep.

For a normal backyard job, I generally aim for around 150 mm below ground level.

I've found that gives you plenty of room to put soil back over the area and establish grass again without having the old stump sitting immediately underneath the surface.

It also means that once the lawn has recovered, you can mow normally without worrying about hitting the remaining stump.

The exact depth you need will depend on what you're planning to do with the area afterwards.

What Do You Do With the Hole After Stump Grinding?

Once you've finished grinding, you'll normally have a mixture of wood chips, stump material and soil around the area.

There are several ways to deal with it.

You can remove excess grindings, use some of the material as backfill where appropriate, add clean soil or topsoil, level the area and then establish grass again.

If you're planning to turf the area, you want enough suitable soil above the remaining stump and roots to give the new lawn a decent growing area.

Don't just finish grinding and expect the hole to magically disappear. A little bit of work afterwards makes a big difference to how the finished area looks.

Can I Remove a Backyard Stump Myself?

For plenty of accessible backyard stumps, DIY stump grinding is a realistic option.

Our stump grinder is relatively narrow, which helps with getting into backyard areas where larger machinery may struggle.

Access isn't only about width, though.

One thing I'd pay particular attention to is slopes.

You need to safely move and position the machine before you even start grinding. A steep or awkward slope can turn what would otherwise be a straightforward stump into a much more difficult job.

For larger acreage properties, our stump grinder also has an ATV hitch, which can make transporting it around suitable properties considerably easier.

If you've never used the machine before, our How to Use a Stump Grinder – Hire Guide Mackay covers the operating process and important safety checks in much more detail.

How to Start the Stump Grinder

This short video shows the actual start-up process on the MarKay Outdoors stump grinder.

When Should You Get a Professional Instead?

DIY isn't the right answer for every stump.

I'd seriously consider using an experienced professional if you're dealing with:

• An extremely large or difficult stump
• A steep or unsafe slope
• A stump hard against a building, retaining wall or fence
• Concrete, large rocks or other obstructions around the stump
• Known or suspected underground services in the work area
• Difficult machine access
• Any situation where you simply aren't confident operating the equipment safely

If you're not confident about the job for any reason, get a professional to do it.

Saving some money isn't worth putting yourself, the machine or your property at risk.

DIY Stump Grinder Hire vs Paying a Professional

It depends on the job, so I wouldn't automatically say DIY is cheaper in every situation.

One advantage of hiring a stump grinder is that you're hiring the machine for an agreed period rather than necessarily paying a contractor for each individual stump.

That can become particularly useful if you've got several stumps around the property.

Instead of looking at one stump and thinking, I'll deal with the others another day, you can potentially tackle the lot while you've got the machine.

You also get to work at your own pace within the hire period.

For someone with one difficult stump who doesn't want to operate machinery, paying a professional might make more sense.

For someone who's comfortable doing the work and has several accessible stumps to remove, hiring a stump grinder in Mackay can be a very practical option.

What About Old Stumps That Have Been There for Years?

An old stump isn't automatically a problem just because it's old.

We've had people live with stumps because they initially thought removing them would be too much work.

Eventually they get sick of mowing around them, looking at them or having them take up useful space.

That's usually when the question changes from:

"Do I really need to remove this?"

to:

"Why didn't I get rid of this years ago?"

If the stump genuinely doesn't bother you and isn't creating an issue, there's no reason you need to remove it purely for the sake of removing it.

But if you're designing your backyard around an old stump simply because you think removing it will be too difficult, it's worth reconsidering.

So, Should I Remove My Backyard Tree Stump?

Here's how I'd make the decision.

If the stump is out of the way, isn't causing any problems and you don't care that it's there, leave it.

If it's ugly, constantly getting in the way, making mowing harder, stopping you landscaping the area or you're simply sick of looking at it, I'd get rid of it.

And don't automatically assume it's going to turn into a massive project.

We've got a 15HP stump grinder available for hire in Mackay that gives customers a practical DIY option for suitable backyard stumps.

You'll probably work up a bit of a sweat. 😂

But once it's finished, you can backfill the area, get the grass growing again and eventually mow straight over the spot without that stump being the permanent obstacle in your backyard.

And if you look at the stump, the access or the surrounding area and don't feel confident doing it yourself?

Call a professional.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to leave a tree stump in the ground?

Yes. If the stump is out of the way and isn't causing you any problems, you don't necessarily need to remove it. Removal becomes worthwhile when it interferes with mowing, landscaping, access or how you want to use the yard.

How deep should I grind a tree stump?

The required depth depends on what you're doing afterwards. For many backyard jobs, I generally aim for around 150 mm below ground level. That gives you room to replace soil and establish grass over the area.

Can grass grow over a ground tree stump?

Yes. After grinding, remove excess material as required, add suitable soil or topsoil, level the area and establish your grass or turf. Having enough suitable soil above the remaining stump helps produce a better finished lawn.

Is hiring a stump grinder worth it if I have several stumps?

It can make a lot of sense. Hiring the machine for a set period gives you the opportunity to tackle several suitable stumps rather than dealing with each one separately.

Can I grind a stump myself?

Many accessible backyard stumps can be suitable for DIY stump grinding if you're comfortable operating the equipment and the work area is safe. Difficult slopes, very large stumps, nearby structures, concrete, rocks or underground services can make professional stump removal the better option.

Does stump grinding remove all the roots?

No. Stump grinding removes the stump below ground level, but it doesn't normally excavate the entire underground root system.

Want more information before tackling the job? Read our complete stump grinder hire and operating guide, visit the MarKay Outdoors Knowledge Centre, or browse our equipment hire range in Mackay.