An Easy Step-By-Step Guide To Removing Bushes and Shrub Roots
Removing shrub and bush roots can be tough. Trying to dig out roots that don't want to let go will leave you sweaty, sore, and frustrated. Instead, try using a simple lever system to make the job so much easier.
Follow these five simple steps to get the job done efficiently, (almost) no digging required!
What You'll Need
There are a few things you'll need to gather before you get started to make removing shrubs faster, easier, and safer. Here's a complete list of everything you’ll need to successfully remove shrubs and their roots with minimal effort:
-Loppers or pruning shears
-A shovel or spade
-Utility Chain
-2 Bolts and nuts
-Hydraulic Jack
-Jack Stand
-1.5 inch nails
-2x6-inch Wooden Board
-3 pieces of 2x6 lumber around 8 inches long
-Saw or Axe
-Plywood (optional)
-Work Gloves
-Safety Glasses
-Steel-Toe Boots
You might also want to grab your rake and some yard waste bags to help deal with the clean up after you're all done.
Step 1: Prepare the Shrub
First, trim back the branches of your shrub, leaving about eight to ten inches above the ground so you can attach the chain. Don't cut all the branches off, or else the chain can slip off of the root ball.
Step 2: Secure the Chain
Next, dig approximately four to six inches around the base of the shrub to expose the roots. Then, take your utility chain and weave it securely through and around the roots to keep it from slipping. Fasten the chain by inserting a bolt through two links and securing it with a nut. Tighten the nut and bolt as much as you can by hand.
Step 3: Set up the Lever System
Now, position your jack close to the shrub and the jack stand further away to support the 2x6-inch board working as the lever. If the ground around the shrub is soft, place a piece of plywood under the jack and stand for stability.
To hold the lever board securely, you need to build a platform on the jack. Attach two of the 2x6 lumber pieces to the outside of a third lumber piece on the bottom with 1.5-inch nails. To hold everything together, cut a 2x6 piece in half to put on the outside of each side of the entire platform.
Step 4: Uproot the Shrub
Then, place your lever board over the jack and stand, and drape the chain over it. Secure the other side of the chain around the board with a nut and bolt like you did with the other end.
Crank the jack to lift the lever, gradually uprooting the shrub. As the board lifts it'll pull the chain, slowly pulling the shrub out of the ground. Continue cranking the jack to lift the shrub until it's fully extracted. Keep an eye out for tough roots still holding the shrub in place that you can cut with the loppers as you go.
Step 5: Fill up the Hole
Once your shrub and root ball are fully out of the ground, cut any roots that are left in the hole with the loppers. Then grab your shovel or spade and fill in the hole with the soil you dug out from around the shrub in step one.
And voila! You've successfully removed a shrub, roots and all, without breaking your back digging.
Extra Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks to troubleshoot any problems you might come across while removing your shrub:
If the shrub gets stuck, just lower the jack a few inches and cut the larger roots to release the shrub.
Make sure the jack and jack stand are in the lowest position possible before you start. This will give you the most range to pull out the shrub.
When you wrap the chain around the lever board, try to position it perpendicular between the connection of the lever board to the root ball. The board can be pulled sideways if there's too much of an angle.