Quick answer: After stump grinding, remove the excess wood chips, fill the hollow with topsoil slightly above the surrounding ground, then seed or lay sod. If you are planting a new tree, put it a few feet to the side of the old stump, not in the same spot.
Grinding takes care of the stump. What you do next decides how quickly the spot blends back into the yard. Our stump grinding service includes removing the chips, filling the hole with topsoil and leveling the area, so much of this is done before the crew leaves. This guide covers the rest.
What are the steps after stump grinding?
- Clear the grindings. The hollow is full of wood chips mixed with soil. Rake out most of them. A deep layer left in place will keep sinking as it decays.
- Fill with topsoil. Fill the hollow and mound it an inch or two above the surrounding ground, because the soil will settle.
- Seed or sod. Rake the surface smooth, then spread grass seed or lay sod. Water lightly and often until it roots.
- Feed the new grass. Decaying wood chips use up nitrogen in the soil. A starter fertilizer helps the new grass through it.
- Top up after settling. Check the spot after a season and add soil if a dip has formed.
What can you do with the wood chips?
| Use | How |
|---|---|
| Mulch for beds and around trees | Spread 2 to 4 inches deep, kept clear of trunks and stems |
| Paths | A thicker layer over bare soil |
| Compost | Mix with green material. Wood breaks down slowly on its own |
| Haul away | Ask for removal to be included in the job |
When can you plant grass in Denver?
Cool-season lawns, which is what most Denver yards have, establish best from seed in late summer to early fall, with spring as the second choice. Sod can go down through most of the growing season if it is kept watered. If the stump is ground in winter, fill and level the spot and seed it when the soil warms.
Can you plant a new tree in the same spot?
It is better not to. The ground-out area is full of chips and old roots that tie up nitrogen and settle as they decay, which gives a young tree a poor start. Plant a few feet to the side, or dig out the chips and old roots and replace them with fresh soil first. If the tree you lost was an ash, choose a different species. See ash tree removal and emerald ash borer help.
What if sprouts come up?
Some trees, including cottonwood, aspen and Siberian elm, send up shoots from the roots left in the ground. Mow them or cut them off at the base as they appear. Without leaves to feed them, the roots run out of stored energy. Why roots stay behind is explained in stump grinding vs. stump removal.
What should you avoid?
- Leaving a deep pile of grindings and seeding straight over it
- Building or paving on the spot before the ground has settled
- Piling chips against the trunks of other trees
If you have not had the stump ground yet, start with stump grinding cost in Denver and whether to leave a stump or remove it.
After stump grinding FAQs
Can I plant grass right after stump grinding?
Yes, once the excess wood chips are out and the hollow is filled with topsoil. Seeding straight into grindings gives thin, yellow grass, because decaying wood ties up nitrogen.
Are stump grindings good mulch?
Yes. Stump grindings make good mulch for beds, paths and around established trees. Spread them 2 to 4 inches deep and keep them clear of trunks and plant stems.
How long does the ground take to settle after stump grinding?
Expect some settling over the first season as the remaining chips and roots decay. Mounding the fill slightly and topping it up once usually takes care of it.
Sources
This guide is based on standard landscaping practice. For work that involves digging, see Colorado 811.
