T&D Tree Service logo
Call (973) 434-5557 Free Quote

HomeTree Services › Stump Removal & Grinding

Stump Removal & Stump Grinding in Essex & Morris County, NJ

Grind that unsightly stump well below grade and reclaim your lawn — clean, thorough and ready for replanting or resodding, by the arborists Essex & Morris County have trusted since 1984.

T&D Tree Service is a family-owned tree care company in Livingston, New Jersey, offering professional stump grinding and stump removal throughout Essex County and Morris County since 1984. A leftover stump is more than an eyesore — it’s a tripping hazard, a mower-wrecker, and an open invitation to carpenter ants, termites and fungus. Our ISA Certified Arborists grind stumps of any size well below the surface so you can replant grass, lay sod, plant a new tree or simply enjoy a clean, level yard again.

Whether we removed the tree or you inherited the stump from a previous owner, T&D Tree brings commercial-grade grinders and 40 years of experience to the job. We’re licensed and fully insured — and, as always, we clean up completely, leaving nothing but usable ground behind.

T&D Tree Service grinding a large stump below grade in a Morris County NJ backyard
Grinding vs. Removal

Why grinding is the smart choice

For most homeowners, stump grinding is faster, cheaper and far less disruptive than digging out the whole root ball. It leaves the surrounding lawn intact and the area ready to use in a single visit. Full removal makes sense only when the ground itself must be cleared — and T&D does both.

  • No unsightly stump, no tripping hazard, no more mowing around it
  • Removes the food source for termites, carpenter ants and fungus near your home
  • Grinds below grade so you can seed, sod or replant right away
  • Compact machines protect your lawn and reach tight backyards
  • Fully insured, ISA Certified operators — and complete cleanup, every time
T&D Tree Service stump grinding a large maple stump below grade in a Livingston NJ backyard
Why Not Just Leave It

Signs it’s time for stump grinding

A leftover stump rarely improves with age. Most homeowners call for stump grinding once the stump starts to:

  • Trip up kids, guests and mowers — and chew up blades every time you cut the grass
  • Sprout stubborn suckers and new shoots that keep trying to regrow the tree
  • Draw carpenter ants, termites and fungus — often within feet of the foundation
  • Heave surface roots that crack walkways, patios and driveway edges
  • Block the spot where you want to lay sod, plant a bed or set a new tree
  • Collect spotted lanternfly egg masses and other pests on the rough, exposed wood

Stump grinding solves all of it in a single visit — and pairs naturally with a tree removal so your yard is finished, not half-done.

How We Work

In and out, clean and level

Most residential stumps are ground and cleaned up in a single visit.

Free On-Site Quote

We measure the stump, check access and locate any utilities, then give you a clear price — often the same day you call.

Utility & Yard Prep

We mark out the work area and protect nearby turf, beds and hardscape before the grinder moves in.

Grind Below Grade

Our grinder reduces the stump and major surface roots to chips, 6–12 inches below the surface.

Backfill & Cleanup

We backfill with the grindings or fresh topsoil, rake the area smooth, and haul off whatever you don’t want — ready to plant.

Grinding usually follows a tree removal, and the grindings make excellent mulch — ask about our mulch supply. We serve every town in Essex & Morris County.

Stump grinding built for New Jersey yards

Northern New Jersey soil is heavy clay laced with rock, and old maple and oak stumps send out wide, shallow surface roots that trip up a rental grinder and a weekend do-it-yourselfer alike. Our commercial stump grinding machines follow those roots and reduce the whole stump to chips six to twelve inches below grade, so the area is genuinely ready to plant — not just cut flush and hidden under a thin layer of topsoil.

Timing helps the finish, too. Spring and early fall are the best windows to seed or sod the ground after stump grinding, while the soil is warm and moist. We can backfill the void with the nutrient-rich grindings or with clean topsoil, rake it level, and leave you a spot that blends right back into the lawn. From the estates of Short Hills to the tight backyards of Montclair, our compact grinders fit through a standard gate to reach stumps other companies can’t.

What affects stump grinding cost in NJ

We quote stumps on-site — often right alongside a removal — and the price comes down to a handful of factors:

  • Stump diameter — measured across the widest point at ground level, the single biggest factor
  • Number of stumps — grinding several in one visit lowers the per-stump price
  • Root spread — whether you also want the tripping surface roots chased and ground out
  • Access — an open yard versus a narrow gate that calls for our compact machine
  • Depth — standard grinding versus going deeper to replant a new tree in the same spot
  • Cleanup — leaving the grindings as mulch, backfilling with topsoil, or hauling it away

Because T&D owns its grinders, the price stays fair. Meet the team, read our reviews, or book a free estimate.

Rated 4.8 ★ on Google

What Essex & Morris County says about T&D Tree

Read our Google reviews
★★★★★
This service is THE BEST! A huge tree came down on my shed and they came out same-day. The crew worked hard to save the shed and removed the heavy limbs very carefully. Cleaned up nicely — excellent service.
TTania G.Google Review
★★★★★
I have been using T&D for years. There is no reason to use anyone else. They are reliable, competent and fairly priced. Thank you Dave.
KKaren G.Google Review
★★★★★
Best tree services in Essex and Morris counties. Dave came for a prompt estimate, pulled the permit quickly, and his crew did a great job above our expectations — covered the siding and pathway to avoid damage.
HHarish P.Google Review
★★★★★
I’ve used T&D multiple times and they never disappoint. Professional, friendly, efficient. They leave the area spotless — it’s clear they take pride in their work. Highly recommend!
GGabriella C.Google Review
★★★★★
T&D was wonderful — always on time, always when promised. David showed a vast knowledge of local trees, his team used a crane and wore safety equipment, and they cleaned up completely.
PPamela S.Google Review
★★★★★
They do exceptional work at extremely reasonable prices. Dave was an absolute pleasure to work with. The tree was a monster and came down seamlessly — they truly go above and beyond.
BBrian S.Google Review
★★★★★
Dave arrived on time with a reasonable quote, and the crew showed up the very morning he promised. Courteous, efficient and professional — they protected our property and cleaned up well.
SStanley W.Google Review
★★★★★
Massive 50-ft tree removed at the last minute, leaving no trace on my neighbor’s yard. Amazing work for just 3 guys. Fair pricing and easy to work with.
AAndy S.Google Review
★★★★★
Responsive, dependable, and his team is neat and very careful. I’ve used T&D in the past and would not do business with any other tree company in Livingston.
BBarry H.Google Review
★★★★★
Very reasonable pricing. Great service. Crew arrived at the time promised. Yard was left spotless.
CCraig M.Google Review
FAQ

Stump grinding questions, answered

Stump grinding uses a machine to chip the stump down 6–12 inches below the surface, leaving the roots to decompose naturally — it’s fast, affordable and leaves your lawn intact. Full stump removal excavates the entire root ball, which is more involved and disruptive. T&D Tree Service does both and will recommend the right one for your goals. Call (973) 434-5557.

Stump grinding cost depends mainly on the stump’s diameter and how many you have, plus access. Because T&D Tree Service owns its grinders and works throughout Essex & Morris County, our stump pricing is fair and competitive — and we’ll often quote it right along with a removal. Get an exact price with a free estimate.

Yes. Because T&D Tree Service grinds well below grade and can backfill with topsoil, the area is ready for seed, sod or new plantings. If you plan to plant a new tree in the same spot, let us know — we’ll grind deeper and clear more of the root mass.

Whatever you prefer. The grindings make nutrient-rich mulch, so many customers have us leave them or spread them in beds. Otherwise, T&D Tree Service backfills with clean topsoil and hauls the grindings away.

T&D Tree Service grinds stumps throughout Essex County and Morris County, NJ — including Livingston, Millburn, Short Hills, West Orange, Montclair, Morristown, Chatham, Madison and Mendham. See all service areas.

T&D Tree Service is the family-owned, ISA Certified, fully insured arborist Essex & Morris County has trusted since 1984 — with commercial-grade grinders, fair pricing and the meticulous cleanup our reviews are known for. Learn more about T&D or request a free estimate.

Free Estimate

Ready to get rid of that stump?

Get a free, no-pressure estimate from the arborists Essex & Morris County have trusted since 1984. Same-week scheduling and 24/7 emergency response.