What are my options for the stump?
Most tree removals leave a stump close to ground level. There are three ways forward, and we agree which one suits you before any work starts:
- Leave it in place. If the stump isn’t in the way, you can simply leave it where it is.
- Dig it out by hand. This can sometimes be done for small stumps. Whether it’s practical depends on the size of the stump and its roots, and what’s around it.
- Use a hired stump grinder. For larger stumps, a stump grinder is hired in for the job.
What decides the best option?
Every stump is different, so we look at the job before we suggest anything. These are the things that help us advise you:
- Size. How wide the stump is, and how far the roots spread.
- Access. How we get to it, for example through a side gate, along a path or across a lawn.
- What’s nearby. Walls, fences, paths, patios and anything you know of underground, such as pipes or cables.
- What comes next. What you’d like to do with the space, such as lawn, a flower bed or paving.
Is the tree still standing?
If the tree hasn’t come down yet, check whether it’s protected first. In Rugby, a tree with a Tree Preservation Order or in a conservation area may need the council’s consent or six weeks’ notice before it can be felled. Our guide explains how to check: is my tree protected?
For the felling itself, see our tree removal and dismantling service in Rugby.
How do I get a free quote for stump removal?
A few photos and a short note give us a first idea quickly, though we may still need to visit before we can give a firm quote:
- A photo of the stump with something for scale next to it, such as a boot or a spade.
- A photo of the route from the road to the stump, including any gates or steps.
- A rough measurement across the top of the stump, if you can.
- A line about what you’d like to do with the space afterwards.
Quotes are always free. Call or text 07511 208277, send photos on WhatsApp, or email info@branchardtreeservices.com. We’re open Monday to Saturday 05:30–21:30 and Sunday 10:30–18:00.
Quick questions
Do you remove tree stumps?
It depends on the job. Small stumps can sometimes be dug out by hand, and larger stumps are done with a stump grinder hired in for the job. We’ll tell you what’s possible for your stump when we quote.
Do I have to have the stump removed?
No. If the stump isn’t in the way, you can leave it where it is. Tell us what you’d like when you ask for a quote, and we’ll agree it before work starts.
Do you give free quotes?
Yes, our quotes are always free and there is no obligation.
Sources
We checked these official pages on 31 October 2026. The law can change, so follow the latest version on each site.
Who wrote this guide?
This guide was written by Jaydon Barnard, an NPTC certified tree surgeon and a director of Branchard Tree & Landscapes Services Ltd, tree surgeons based in Dunchurch, Rugby. Jaydon holds a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture from Moulton College. The business is run by brothers Jaydon and Chris Barnard. Both directors are NPTC certified, at least one of them is on every job, and we carry public liability insurance.
More about us: tree surgeon in Rugby.
Details checked October 2026. If anything here is out of date, please tell us on 07511 208277.