When a tree comes down, the stump is usually left a few inches above the ground. It can look harmless, but stumps get in the way of mowers, attract termites and wood-decay fungus, and some species will keep sending up new sprouts for years.
A stump grinder uses a spinning wheel lined with carbide teeth to chew the wood into chips. We work the wheel back and forth across the stump until it's below ground level, then follow the larger surface roots out from the base and grind those down as well.
Before we grind, we request utility locates and ask about sprinkler lines. Irrigation pipes are often buried shallow near trees, and knowing where they run saves you a repair.
When we're done, you're left with a pile of wood grindings mixed with soil. You can keep some as mulch for beds, but grindings are not a good base for new grass. For sod, we rake out most of the chips, backfill with soil, and level the spot so it doesn't settle into a dip.
The roots below the stump don't need to be dug out. Once the stump is gone they break down slowly underground. Give the area a few weeks and a good watering schedule after sodding, and in most yards you won't be able to tell a tree was ever there.