A leftover stump is an eyesore, a trip hazard, and can sprout suckers or attract pests. There are a few removal methods depending on the stump size and your timeline.
Stump grinding
Grinding is the fastest and most common method — a machine chews the stump down below grade in a session. You can rent a grinder for a small stump or hire an arborist. It leaves the roots to decay naturally in the soil.
Digging it out
For a small stump, digging around it, cutting the roots, and levering it out works but is hard labour. It fully removes the root ball, which matters if you're planting or building where the stump was.
Chemical and patience
Stump-removal products speed natural rot over months — slow but low-effort for a stump you're not in a hurry about. Avoid old advice to burn stumps, which is unsafe and often not permitted.