How quickly does sycamore grind compared to oak?
Sycamore grinds in 30–60 minutes for a typical 12–24 inch stump — roughly 30% faster than oak. Sycamore is medium hardwood at around 1,050 lbf Janka, versus oak at 1,360 lbf. The cutting wheel meets less resistance, so blades stay sharper and the job finishes sooner.
Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) is one of the most common stumps we grind across Canterbury, Whitstable and the Stour valley. The wood is pale, even-grained and free of the silica pockets that blunt teeth on yew or sweet chestnut. Expect a clean, fast grind on most garden trees.
How much does sycamore stump grinding cost?
Sycamore stump grinding costs £100 to £200 for most garden stumps in East Kent. Small stumps under 12 inches start at £100; mature trunks over 24 inches reach £200. The medium hardness keeps sycamore at the lower end of hardwood pricing, well below oak or beech.
The £2–£3 per inch UK average applies, with no callout fee inside the 15-mile radius from Canterbury. Multiple sycamores on one site — common where self-seeded trees have taken over a fence line — drop to roughly 65% of single-stump price after the first.
Will a sycamore stump regrow from suckers?
Yes — sycamore has HIGH sucker risk. Cut stumps regularly throw vigorous shoots from surviving roots, and seedlings appear from existing seed for 2 to 3 years. Grinding to 250mm below ground destroys the root crown and cuts sucker risk by roughly 80%, though stray shoots still need monitoring.
Sycamore is part of the maple family and shares the regenerative habit of field maple and Norway maple. Roots can extend 5 to 10 metres beyond the trunk and any section left with a dormant bud can sprout. This is the single most important fact about sycamore removal — the grind itself is easy; controlling regrowth is the real work.
How deep should the grind go?
Grind sycamore to 250mm (10 inches) below ground level — 50mm deeper than the 200mm standard. The extra depth removes the root collar where dormant buds cluster, which is the single biggest source of sucker regrowth. For replanting in the same spot, 300mm is recommended.
We also extend the grind 200–300mm beyond the visible trunk perimeter to catch the buttress roots where most shoots originate. The extra time adds 10–15 minutes to the job and is included in the quoted price for any sycamore. Lateral roots beyond that zone are left to decay naturally.
What if suckers come back after grinding?
If shoots appear in the first 12 months, sever them at ground level every 4 to 6 weeks. Persistent suckers can be spot-treated with a glyphosate-based stump killer painted onto fresh cuts. Most sites stop suckering within one growing season once the root system runs out of stored energy.
For a fixed-price quote on a sycamore stump in Canterbury or any town within 15 miles, send a photo and rough diameter via the free quote form — you will have a price within the hour.
