BASED IN LENEXA · OWNER-OPERATED SINCE 2020
The tree is gone. Now make a plan for the space it leaves behind. Matt Altrich grinds stumps and selected surface roots, with attention to your lawn, nearby planting and what you want to do next.
Local owner. Direct communication. 300+ five-star Google reviews.
A LOCAL TREE ISSUE, A PRACTICAL NEXT STEP
Lenexa reports emerald ash borer throughout the city. For a homeowner losing an ash tree, cutting down the trunk is only one part of the project: the remaining stump and broad base can still interrupt mowing, a planting bed or a new landscape layout.
If the tree is still standing, have its condition assessed before making removal plans. Matt coordinates tree removal from start to finish with experienced, insured tree professionals. Debris cleanup is included. When stump grinding is done at the same time, mulch cleanup and hauling are included, too. Matt’s your point of contact for both services.
When you request grinding, show the entire base at ground level. The cut face can look small compared with the roots flaring into the yard. Agreeing on that footprint helps distinguish the central stump from any additional exposed roots you want addressed.
Once you know the plan, our stump-grinding process explains what the visit includes and what stays behind for the next stage.
FROM OLD STUMP TO A NEW USE
Tell Matt which of those you have in mind. A stump that interferes with mowing may need a different agreed work area from a stump beside a proposed planting hole or patio.
Grinding reduces the stump below the surface; it does not extract the entire root system. Iowa State Extension recommends choosing a new planting location rather than planting directly in the old stump site, where buried wood and changed soil conditions can hinder establishment.
Have your landscaper identify the intended planting area before the grinding quote. If the new tree must occupy the old location, discuss the extra root and soil preparation separately.
Arrange removal of excess grindings and suitable soil before seed or sod. Wood-rich material is not a finished lawn base, and the area may settle as remaining wood decomposes.
Mark the plants and edging you want to preserve. Show Matt which visible roots obstruct your layout so the quote covers an agreed area rather than every root underground.
Share the builder’s excavation and base-preparation requirements. A grinding result does not certify a site for construction; the installer needs to decide what remaining wood must be removed.
A visible root beside the stump can be part of the grinding discussion. A root several feet away, under paving or close to another tree needs a closer look. Photograph its full visible length and where it leads, rather than just the spot that catches the mower.
Matt assesses selected exposed roots for grinding or selective hand cutting, depending on access and the surroundings. Identify irrigation, landscape lighting, fencing and any living trees nearby. Roots connected to a tree you intend to keep need assessment before cutting.
See what surface-root work includes
Matt plans the equipment route and uses tarps and protective screens during grinding. Afterward, he rakes and blows around the work area and gathers the grindings. Share concerns about delicate beds, nearby windows or newly installed paving before scheduling.
The chips and soil remain in a neat pile. If your next step is new lawn, coordinate hauling and soil preparation before your landscaper arrives. Simply spreading seed over the pile skips the work needed to establish a usable lawn surface.
Iowa State Extension: preparing a stump site for grass
Heartland is based in Lenexa, and your project starts with Matt. Bring up replacement planting, a fence installation or a landscaping schedule early so he can assess the stump work in the right order.
Explore more Heartland resultsMeasure across the widest ground-level base, including flared roots. Add the height above ground and label each stump if there is more than one. Include a close photo with the measurement, a wide view of the yard and the route from the driveway.
For a fenced backyard, measure the narrowest clear opening with the gate fully open. The grinder generally needs about 36 inches; turns, steps, slope and ground conditions still need review.
Include your Lenexa address and what you want the area to become. After bid acceptance, Heartland arranges the applicable utility-locate process and confirms readiness. Customer-owned irrigation and lighting may need separate identification.
Measurement & photo guide
Typical stump projects are $199–$299. Size, access, selected roots and the number of stumps affect your quote.
How pricing worksThe published replacement assistance excludes removal costs. Ask the city about eligibility and current funding for the new street tree. Matt quotes private stump work separately.
Send photos of the remaining wood and the area around it. Age alone does not establish the scope: Matt needs the base size, access and any remaining exposed roots, just as he would for a fresh stump.
That needs planting advice and site preparation beyond a standard grinding job. Old roots and wood-rich soil can remain below the surface. Choose the planting location with your landscaper before finalizing the grinding scope.
Yes. Label and measure each one, and show how the equipment reaches each area. Ask Matt to quote the whole project; the total depends on the individual stumps and site conditions.
Tell Matt what’s in the way and what you want to put in its place.
Matt takes calls every day, 8 a.m.–6 p.m., and typically responds within an hour during those hours.
