Regrowth guide
Will a Tree Stump Grow Back?
Sometimes. It depends on the tree — and on how the stump was handled.
Why stumps sprout
Some trees store energy in their roots and push up new shoots, called suckers, after the trunk is cut. A stump left high above ground is the most likely to sprout.
Trees that tend to regrow
Around here, boxelder, Siberian elm, cottonwood, poplar and willow are the usual suspects. Maple and oak sprout less often. Most evergreens don't sprout at all.
How grinding helps
Grinding below grade, including the root flare where most sprouts start, stops regrowth on most stumps. Stubborn species can still send up a few shoots from roots for a season.
If shoots show up
Mow or clip them regularly — they run out of energy. If a lot come back from surface roots, root grinding can clear them out.
Where we can help
Sprouts coming off roots? Book surface root grinding or, in town, Marshall root and root-crown grinding. Stump still standing? Start with below-grade stump grinding.