Professional Stump Grinding in Metairie, LA – Get a Free Estimate

Big Easy Tree Cutting offers stump grinding in Metairie to clear old stumps out of your lawn, flower beds and side yards. Our grinder breaks the stump down into wood chips below the surface so you can plant grass, lay sod or start over with a new tree. Estimates are always free.

A leftover stump can sit in a Metairie yard for years. It can catch the mower blade, trip the kids, send up sprouts and take up space you could be using. Grinding is usually the quickest way to get that ground back.

Big Easy Tree Cutting is a New Orleans tree company that works across Jefferson Parish, from the streets near Bucktown out toward the Kenner line. You can see all of our local work on our Metairie tree service page.

Why homeowners grind stumps

A stump may look harmless, but it can cause real headaches over time. Common reasons people call us include:

• Safety: stumps are easy to trip over, especially in shady yards.
• Mowing and edging: they chew up blades and leave awkward patches.
• Sprouts: some stumps keep pushing up new shoots from the roots.
• Pests and decay: a rotting stump can attract insects you would rather keep away from the house.
• Space: grinding frees up the spot for a patio, a bed or a new tree.

If you are still deciding between grinding and full removal, our comparison of stump grinding vs. stump removal walks through the tradeoffs. Our general stump grinding service page covers the basics as well.

Where the stump sits matters in Metairie

Metairie is an unincorporated community in Jefferson Parish, home to about 143,507 people as of the 2020 Census. With no city government, the parish code decides who can touch a tree on public land, and that includes the stump that is left behind.

Jefferson Parish Code Sec. 37-16 defines public property as all property owned by the parish or under the department of public works, including sidewalks, parkways, rights-of-way, highways, medians, public squares and parks. Under Sec. 37-18, it is unlawful to cut, injure or remove any tree or other vegetation on public property except as the article allows. Sec. 37-19(f) adds that a permit is always required to remove any tree from public property. You can read these rules in Jefferson Parish Code Chapter 37.

In plain terms: if the stump is in the grassy strip between your sidewalk and the street, it may be on parish property. Contact Jefferson Parish Parkways about that stump first. We grind stumps on private property, and we are glad to help you figure out which side of the line yours is on.

Replanting after a protected tree comes out

Parts of Metairie have extra rules. In Old Metairie and the Metairie Ridge Tree Preservation District, the parish code can require a replacement tree when a protected tree is removed. If your stump came from one of those trees, plan the grind and the replanting together so the new tree has a clean spot to go in. Our Metairie tree removal page explains those district rules in detail.

Before the grinder starts: buried lines and Louisiana 811

Stump grinding works below ground level, and buried utility lines can run through residential yards, sometimes close to old trees. The state’s Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law defines “excavation” broadly, as any operation that moves or removes earth by powered, mechanical or manual means in a way that could damage buried lines. The law lists many examples and says the list is not complete. It does not mention stump grinding by name either way.

As a best practice, we recommend contacting Louisiana 811 before digging-type work in your yard, so buried lines can be marked. A state press release on calling 811 before digging even lists planting a tree as a project that calls for it, which is worth remembering if you plan to replant after the grind.

What to expect on grinding day

Here is how a typical stump job goes with us:

1. Consultation and estimate. We look at the stump size, the roots near the surface and how our grinder can reach it, then give you an estimate.
2. Agreed scope. We confirm which stumps and how far down you want them ground.
3. Grinding. Our crew grinds the stump into wood chips.
4. Cleanup and follow-up. We clean up the work area and check back with you after the job.

The chips can often be used as mulch in your beds, or we can talk about cleanup options. Surface roots may remain after grinding, and our article on tree roots after removal explains what to expect from them over time.

Stumps, trees and nearby service

If the tree is still standing, our Metairie arborist services can help you decide whether it needs to come down at all. We also offer stump grinding in River Ridge and stump grinding in Kenner for neighbors just up the road. Our crew grinds stumps all over Metairie, from the neighborhoods around Lafreniere Park, the parish-run park that is the largest in Metairie, to the older streets off Metairie Road.

Ready to get rid of that stump? Reach out for a free estimate or call 504-732-9714. Send us a photo if you have one, and we’ll talk it through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to the stump when you grind it?

The grinder breaks the stump down into wood chips below the surface. The chips can often be used as mulch, and the spot can then be filled for grass or a new plant.

Can you grind a stump in the strip between my sidewalk and the street?

That strip may be Jefferson Parish public property, and parish rules limit who can remove or disturb trees there. Contact Jefferson Parish Parkways about that stump before any work starts, since we grind stumps on private property.

Should I call Louisiana 811 before stump grinding?

We recommend contacting Louisiana 811 as a best practice before any digging-type work in your yard. The state law defines excavation broadly, though it does not name stump grinding specifically.

Can I plant a new tree where the stump was?

Often you can, once the chips are cleared and fresh soil is added. Some leftover roots may slow things down, so a spot a little to the side can work better. If the old tree was protected in Old Metairie or the Metairie Ridge district, the parish may require a replacement tree.

Do I need a permit to grind a stump on my property?

We found no Jefferson Parish rule that names stump grinding on private property. If the stump sits on public property or came from a protected tree in an overlay district, check with Jefferson Parish Parkways first.

Will roots keep growing after the stump is ground?

Some species can send up sprouts from the remaining roots for a while. Those sprouts can usually be cut back as they appear, and they often slow down over time.