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Stump Grinding in Massachusetts: What's Under the Stump Matters
A grinder chews a stump down below the grass so the spot can be seeded, planted or paved over. Before it does, someone needs to think about the wires and pipes that may run under it. Call (978) 698-4783 or send the form. A person reads every request and replies with what happens next.
- Free for homeowners
- Insurance checked first
- Buried lines explained
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Before the grinder
Buried lines, marked and unmarked
Dig Safe and the law. Massachusetts defines excavation broadly, as any operation moving or removing earth or other material in the ground, including digging, augering, drilling, trenching and grading, and anyone excavating must mark the area and notify Dig Safe at least 72 hours ahead, not counting weekends and legal holidays (M.G.L. c.82 §40A, definition of excavation, c.82 §40). When you hire a contractor, Dig Safe recommends that the contractor make the call (Dig Safe FAQ). Ask the tree company how it handles buried utilities before it grinds.
Private lines aren't marked. Dig Safe's members mark only lines they own or maintain, so sprinkler systems, outdoor lighting and other privately owned lines need a private locating company (Dig Safe). Tell the crew where you know they run.
The number to know. Dig Safe is 811 or 888-344-7233, and a Massachusetts ticket is good for 30 days (Dig Safe).
Other rules
Wetlands, road stumps and the leftovers
Near a wetland. Grinding inside the 100-foot buffer around a wetland or bank is work the conservation commission may need to review, because the state's regulations require a filing for buffer-zone work it judges will alter the wetland (310 CMR 10.02). Several towns we cover set stricter local no-disturb strips, so check your town page before booking.
A stump at the road. If the tree stood in the public way or on its edge, it was a public shade tree under the tree warden's control (M.G.L. c.87 §3). Ask the town before grinding what is left of it.
No burning the stump. Brush can be burned in season with a fire department permit, but stumps can't be burned at all (open burning rules).
Last verified November 2026. New England Tree Service is a referral service. We don't grind stumps or request Dig Safe tickets.
FAQ
Stump grinding questions
How deep does a stump get ground?
That is set in your agreement with the tree company, so ask before work starts. It matters for what comes next: grass seed needs less depth than a new tree or a patio.
Can I burn the stump instead?
No. Massachusetts open burning rules allow brush and similar debris from January 15 to May 1 with a fire department permit, but stumps, leaves and grass may not be burned.
Will Dig Safe mark my sprinkler and yard lights?
No. Dig Safe members mark only the lines they own or maintain. Privately owned lines such as sprinkler pipes, outdoor lighting and electric lines to a detached garage need a private locating company, or a good memory of where they were run.
What happens to the chips?
Whatever you agree on: many crews leave them to backfill the hole or as mulch, and some haul them away. If the stump was an ash, the state advises chipping ash material or keeping it on site rather than moving it.
What does it cost me to use New England Tree Service?
Nothing. The request and the referral are free; the tree company prices the work.
Town guides
Local rules for stump grinding by town
Each town page covers the town's tree warden and road trees, any scenic roads, the local wetland bylaw, and where brush and wood can go. Towns with a local guide so far: Greater Lowell, MA (Lowell, Chelmsford, Billerica, Tewksbury, Dracut and Westford). We add towns across New England as we can cover them properly.