Stump grinding in Lufkin
Below the lawn line, with the 811 rule in mind.
Grinding chews a stump into chips below the lawn line so the spot can be mowed, sodded or replanted. It's the usual follow-up after a removal, and it puts a powered machine into the ground, which is where Texas's 811 law comes in.
The 811 rule
- What counts: Texas calls it excavating when powered equipment digs into or disturbs soil 16 or more inches down.
- When to notify: no later than 48 hours before digging starts, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, and no earlier than the 14th day before.
- Weekend notice: a notice given on a Saturday lets work begin at 11:59 a.m. the following Tuesday.
- Cost: the Railroad Commission of Texas says the call to 811 is free; utility locators then mark the approximate location of buried lines.
A shallow grind may not reach 16 inches, but removing roots or digging out a pine with a tap root can. Making the call costs nothing.
Published prices
| Item | Angi, national (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Average stump | $250 |
| Most jobs | $120 to $400 |
| By size | $2 to $5 per diameter inch |
| Minimum fee | about $100 |
| Extra stumps | $40 to $75 each after a first at $100 to $150 |
| Haul away grindings | $50 to $200 |
| Dig out roots | $100 to $200 per hour |
According to Angi, a standard grind reaches below the surface to remove the central mass of roots; grinding only at surface level is the cheaper option.
Fresh stumps and beetles
The Texas A&M Forest Service says black turpentine beetles are drawn to weakened trees and fresh stumps, with pitch tubes often low on the trunk and on stumps. Grinding a pine stump soon after the tree comes down leaves one less fresh stump for them.
Where these facts come from
- Texas Utilities Code Section 251.002: Definitions
- Texas Utilities Code Section 251.151: Duty of an Excavator
- Railroad Commission of Texas: Before Digging Under Your Property: Call 811 (August 11, 2020)
- Angi: How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost? (Catherine Hiles, updated Oct 15, 2026)
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Forest Health, Black Turpentine Beetle
Checked October 27, 2026. Agencies and price guides update without notice; open the link before relying on a figure.
Common questions
How much does stump grinding cost?
Angi's October 2026 guide puts the national average at $250, most jobs at $120 to $400, and many contractors at a minimum of about $100.
Do I have to call 811 before grinding a stump in Texas?
Texas requires notice to 811 for powered digging that disturbs soil 16 inches or deeper, at least 48 hours ahead excluding weekends and holidays. The call is free, so it's sensible either way.