You’ll need to plan four to 12 weeks if you start with a chemical herbicide.
Cost
Up to $25
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
Garden hose
Spade
Lopper
Ax
Work gloves
Reciprocating saw (optional)
Power drill (optional)
Tarp (optional)
SUPPLIES
Replacement saw blades (optional)
Herbicide stump killer (optional)
Sure, you can shop down an unwanted shrub, but odds are it’ll start to grow again next spring. Unlike chopping down a tree, you can't simply cut a shrub down to its roots and hope it never pops back up—you’ve got to get to the root of the problem (literally!). Bush stump removal is critical if you need to clear the area for a new garden, walkway, or patio. With a bit of patience and a whole lot of elbow grease, shrub stump removal is a very doable DIY for new and seasoned gardeners alike. Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to remove bush stumps from your yard.
Prepping to Remove a Bush Stump
Photo: FotoHelin / Adobe Stock
Shrubs may have thinner stumps and roots than most trees, but don't let this deceive you. Bush stump removal requires a lot of strength and time to ensure you cut the roots entirely.
Begin by getting to know what kind of shrub you're dealing with. Many common bushes, particularly doubt-tolerant varieties, have deep, hardy root systems. You'll need to begin by revealing and loosening the top layer around the thickest roots.
Cut the Shrub to the Base
Use a lopper to cut the entire shrub down to its largest roots. Leave a bit of the central trunk above ground to help you remove the root ball down the line. If you're removing a shrub that is a part of a larger network, you'll need to remove all surrounding shrubs or their branches to fully open up the area for the work.
Loosen the Soil
If your yard's soil is dense and dry, water the area with about two inches of water and let it absorb for several hours. The ground should not be muddy, but loose enough to easily remove with a spade.
During this phase, double-check that there are no power or sprinkler system lines in the area near the shrub roots.
Treat the Root Ball (Optional)
The first step of bush removal is up to you. Treating the base of the shrub with an herbicide for several weeks is ideal for old, large, and healthy shrubs that will be very difficult to remove by hand without a bit of help.
If you have the time for this step and feel comfortable using an herbicide in your lawn, drill 6-inch holes into the base of your shrub. Add a shrub-stump-specific herbicide purchased at your local gardening store. Cover the stump with a tarp for between four and 12 weeks, according to the instructions.
Dig Around the Base
Once you're ready to begin manually removing the bush stump, lightly dig around the base of the roots with a spade to reveal about an inch below the surface. You will immediately hit the surrounding large roots. Reveal the primary roots at least a foot from the root ball.
Cut a Circle Around the Shrub
Photo: Serjik Ahkhundov / Adobe Stock
Begin by severing the roots about one foot from the center of the shrub in a circle around the root ball. You can do this in several ways depending on the thickness of the roots.
For small shrub stumps, cut the roots with a spade or trench shovel.
For mid-size shrub stumps, hack the roots in a circle with an ax.
For large shrub stumps, use a reciprocating saw—pressing it into the topsoil—to cut the circle.
Note: if you use a reciprocating saw, the roots will dull your blades quickly. Be sure to use a low-cost blade and have replacements at the ready.
Cut a Closer Circle
Repeat the above cutting process six inches from the stump with your spade, ax, or reciprocating saw. The roots closer to the stump will be thicker, but your first cut should make them easier to reveal and clip by shaking and loosening the sump back and forth.
Dig a Trench
Photo: Stephen / Adobe Stock
Use your spade to dig out the space between the large and the small circle. Dig between six and 12 inches into the ground to reveal the sides of the root ball and access several roots directly below the old shrub.
Cut the Base of the Root Ball
At this point, it could be very tempting to yank the root ball up from the ground or—as some guides recommend—hitch it to your truck and step on the gas. Your shrub's root ball may still link to thick roots that run under your home, patio, or sidewalk. Pulling it up too quickly can take the rest of the lawn with it.
To be safe, use your spade, ax, or saw yet again to cut the area just below the root ball until it is easy to twist and shake out of place by hand.
Fill in the Hole
Photo: JodiJacobson / Adobe Stock
The final step is to fill the hole where the shrub’s roots were. Replace the area with old topsoil, grabbing and removing any loose roots as you go. Removing this much of the plant and its roots will keep it from growing back next year.
DIY Shrub Stump Removal vs. Hiring a Pro
Learning how to remove bush stumps in your yard is only worth it if you're up for a highly physical task. In most cases though, it can be done with minimal supplies and simple garden tools.
Call a local stump removal company if you're dealing with a large, tough shrub such as juniper, boxwoods, or large rose bushes. Pros can always help you cut into wide systems of shrub roots that span your garden.
The cost of shrub removal will depend on the size and type of shrub, but assume that you'll pay anywhere from $25 to $225 per bush.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must cut into the ground and around the full circumference of the bush stump to keep it from growing back. If you're concerned about the size of the underground roots or are unable to remove them manually, you can also treat the root ball with an herbicide. Speak with a local landscaper about whether the remaining roots will interfere with your garden plans or threaten to bring the plant back to life.
If you have a large number of leftover roots, shrub branches, rocks, and soil to remove from your stump removal project, you may need to call a professional junk removal service. A small truckload of junk removal costs between $75 and $125 to haul away. You may also have a free composting center in your area where you can haul the materials on your own.
