It stays in the ground unless you pay to remove it. Standard removal cuts the trunk close to the ground and leaves the stump and roots, so you’ll need to decide what happens next.
| Option | How it works | Good for | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grinding | A rotating wheel chews the stump below grade | Replanting grass, mowing | Roots stay; chips left behind |
| Excavation | Stump and major roots are dug out | Building, paving | Bigger hole, more cost, more disturbance |
| Leave it | Do nothing | Out-of-the-way spots | Slow rot; sprouting from some species; possible insects |
| Chemical rot | Product speeds decay | Patient owners | Slow; read the label |
| Burning | The stump is burned out, where rules allow | Rural sites with permits | Fire risk and rules |
For cost, national guides put stump work at about $100 to $500 per stump, as HomeGuide reports. Compare local quotes.
Before any digging or grinding, contact Georgia 811, since utility lines sometimes run close to stumps. Don’t try to burn out a stump near a house, and check with local fire officials and the Georgia Forestry Commission about burn rules before any fire.
Some follow-up issues:
- Sprouts. Some species send up shoots. Clipping them regularly will weaken the roots over time.
- Sinkholes. As buried wood decays, the ground above can settle. Fill it as needed.
- New planting. Chips and old roots stay in that spot, so offset a new tree from it.
- Termites. A rotting stump near a house is a reasonable thing to mention to a pest inspector.
If the tree was removed because of a contagious disease, ask whether the stump and chips need special handling.