Stump Grinding in Lacey & Forked River, NJ

Lacey at a glance

Area	Typical stumps	Watch for
Forked River lagoons (east of Route 9)	Shore evergreens, small oaks	Bulkheads, docks, narrow side yards, wet chips
Lanoka Harbor	Oaks and pines on suburban lots	Driveway roots, sprinklers
West of the Parkway, toward the Pinelands	Pitch pine and scrub oak in deep sand	Resprouting, settling, Pinelands rules for clearing

Short answer: Lacey's ordinance regulates removal of street trees of 2.5 inches or more and other trees of 12 inches or more in diameter (Lacey Ord. 2024-18). Grinding an existing stump usually isn't the regulated part. Request 811 (NJ One Call (811)). Call 732-506-2167 or use the form.

Lagoon lots in Forked River

Forked River's lagoon neighborhoods have narrow lots, bulkheads and docks. Grinders need to stay off the bulkhead cap and clear of tie-backs. The soil is often wet sand close to the water table, so chips stay soggy and slow to decay; plan to haul them and backfill with topsoil. Salt-stressed Japanese black pines and other shore evergreens are common removals here.

Pine and scrub oak lots

West of the Parkway, Lacey runs into the Pine Barrens. Pitch pine and scrub oak both resprout from the base after cutting (USDA Silvics: pitch pine). If you're turning a wooded strip into lawn, combine grinding with brush mulching and plan follow-up mowing. Part of Lacey is in the Pinelands Area (Pinelands municipalities list); for clearing beyond a few stumps, see our land and lot clearing page and Pinelands tree-clearing rules for homeowners.

Permits

Lacey's Ordinance 2024-18 sets the 2.5-inch street-tree and 12-inch other-tree thresholds, with a $75 fee as listed (Lacey Ord. 2024-18). Sort out removal first if the tree is still standing. See our town-by-town permit guide.

Nearby

We also take stump requests from Ocean Township (Waretown), Stafford, Berkeley stump grinding, Barnegat stump grinding and Manchester stump grinding.

Frequently asked questions

What trees need a permit in Lacey Township?

Lacey's 2024 tree ordinance covers street trees of 2.5 inches or more in diameter and other trees of 12 inches or more, with a $75 fee listed. Grinding a stump that's already cut usually isn't covered. Confirm with the township.

Are lagoon lots harder for stump grinding?

They can be: tight side yards, bulkheads, docks and wet soil. Give the gate width and point out the bulkhead and dock electric.

Will my pitch pine stump resprout?

Pitch pine can sprout from the base after cutting. Grinding below the root collar usually stops it.

Can I combine stump grinding with clearing scrub oak?

Yes. Many companies will mulch brush and grind stumps on the same visit. Ask for a combined price.

Cost and permit guides

Last updated October 24, 2026. Prices and rules come from the cited sources and can change. They aren't quotes or legal advice. Free referral service, not a tree company. Your request goes to one independent local tree company, which may pay us for the referral.