How to Get Rid of Overgrown Shrubs in Your Yard
When shrubs become overgrown, they lose their aesthetic value to the yard. In addition, overgrown shrubs decrease the amount of sunlight, airflow, water and nutrients available to ornamental plants. Removing overgrown shrubs increases the yard's look and frees up some valuable space for planting grass, trees, shrubs or ornamental flowers. Remove shrubs safely without harming surrounding plants or leaving toxic soil residue from herbicides. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Chainsaw
- Saw
- Shovel
- Landscape bar
- Stump grinder
- Measuring tape
- Dirt
- Pruning saw
Instructions
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Digging
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1
Cut off lateral branches using a chainsaw or saw. Remove the shrub’s top by cutting horizontally 4 feet from the ground. Leaving 4 feet of trunk growth gives you leverage when removing from the soil.
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2
Digging a trench 6 to 12 inches away from the shrub’s base and 12 inches deep helps remove the root system. Use your hands to expose the root system from the dirt.
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3
Cut the roots with a saw. Press a landscape bar underneath the shrub. Use your weight to push the shrub through the soil. Cut up the shrub with a saw to discard or burn.
Stump Grinder
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4
Remove any rocks or debris next to the shrub. Cut the shrub 2 inches from ground level with a chainsaw.
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5
Lift the stump grinder’s grinder wheel with the hydraulic lever. Drive the stump grinder towards the shrub’s stump.
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6
Lower the swinging stump grinder wheel, so that the blades rip through the wood moving side to side. Advance the machine after you have digging down 4 inches.
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7
Stop the machine and check to see if the hole is 4 inches deep using a measuring tape. Drive the stump grinder back.
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8
Fill the hole with dirt. Replant grass or an ornamental plant on top of the soil.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Prevent shrubs from becoming overgrown by pruning them each year removing dead wood, branches rubbing against each other, damaged areas and any part of the shrub growing out of the designated planting location.
Avoid using any wood from a shrub that was infected with a disease as mulch or compost.
References
- Photo Credit Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
