Contractors agree stump grinding can be an excellent business opportunity, but adding this capital-intensive service takes careful consideration to ensure it's the right fit.

Does the stump grinder make a lot of noise and/or mess? Yes, grinding a tree stump is a noisy and messy process. It is a very loud machine that is literally grinding up a very hard piece of wood. The woodchips and sawdust that it creates can fly in all directions.

Grinding is a popular choice because it's quick and efficient—it takes about one hour, according to the stump's size. You'll want a pro to grind the stump in case there are utility lines in the ground around the stump or roots. Grinding is also a viable option for larger stumps and stumps that you can't fully remove.

Stump grinding will leave the stump in the ground, where it will eventually decompose. On the other hand, stump removal will involve removing the stump from your property, which is more invasive and may involve the use of chemicals that can cause small disturbances to the surrounding soil.