I have two 50 foot trees I want to have removed. I want to lay sod/grass over the area once removed. Should I ask the tree company to grind or remove the stumps? If I grind the stump, is that enough for grass to grow over? --71.172.xx.xxx

Either way, remove and fill with good dirt or grind several inches below grade,remove chips,add dirt then sod should be OK.Use good dirt that has some nutrients in it. --75.7.xx.xx

Some tree companies dont do stumps,my guy only does trees so i found another guy to do the stumps,most stump grinders will grind the stump,remove the ground up stump,bring in topsoil to fill the hole,each step in the process costs more or they will just grind it and leave the mess for you.Call several people for a price,the differences in price different guys want is incredible,not hard to find someone who wants twice as much as other guys --72.231.xxx.xxx

Grass will not grow over wood chips so those all have to go after you get the grinder guy who may be separate from tree guy. Is there room to get the machine back where the trees are? Add about 600 to the bill for grinding or more. I have never seen a tree guy who will go get topsoil or remove the wood chips. You might need a separate guy for that. --71.104.xx.xxx

I bought a stump grinder about 6 years ago. Previous to that I rented one from Home Depot. It has really paid for itself. When I grind a stump there is a lot of sawdust-wood chips left over, i usually remove about half, and pile the rest right where the tree was. I did two in January and noticed yesterday when I was at the house, that the stuff had rotted and grass has nicely filled in. Took less than a year, so I was very pleased. --66.169.xxx.xxx

Even if you grind up the stumps after the tree is cut down, the roots in the ground will deteriorate and you will have shrinkage in the soil. --47.155.xx.xxx

The shavings need to be removed. As they deteriorate they produce a gas that can kill the grass. --73.40.xx.xx

I've done some of allym's tree stump ideas. Planted Agave plants in and around one and it's beautiful. Made another into a base for potted plants. Also make a good base for a table or bench in the garden. But if you want a smooth area, grinding is good. Just be sure you check from time to time. I had 2 huge Salt Cedars removed (one crashed down on its own), and then a year later, NEW trees sprouted where the old ones were removed. Nice fluffy bushes now. Can't stop Nature. --72.199.xx.xxx

Here in northern Michigan, the forests are cut on a regular basis for logging, etc. In two years the seeds and the trees that are replanted have grown 6 feet or more. --75.7.xx.xx

Robert is correct. Depending on how big the tree and roots are, you can end up with sink holes for the next 10 years as the underground roots rot. --72.70.xxx.xxx

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--108.4.xxx.xxx

I think grass needs about 3-4 inches of soil to grow well if you go that route. --99.92.xxx.xxx