How to Remove Overgrown Shrubs
When it comes to making changes to your landscaping, the task of removing overgrown shrubs is likely to be part of the job. Since some shrubs have deep roots, the process can be a little more intensive. Fortunately, you can use a few tools along with a little strategizing and have those shrubs out of the way in no time.
Getting rid of overgrown shrubs on your property can be a time consuming effort. Since many shrubs have deep roots, the process can take a lot of time and effort. Fortunately, there are ways to speed up the process and remove those shrubs in anticipation of giving your landscape a complete makeover.
Things You Need:
- Hoe
- Shovel
- Spade
- Hedge clippers
- Chain
- Truck or other automobile with a trailer hitch
- Trim the overgrown shrub using the hedge clippers. The idea is to trim off just enough so you can easily get to the thickest branches and trunk of the shrub. Also, trim off the branches closest to the ground, so you have relatively easy access to the base of the shrub.
- Loosen the soil around the overgrown shrub. Use the spade and hoe to break up the dirt that is impacted around the shrub. The spade can also be helpful in severing thick taproots that are part of many types of shrubs. Follow up with the shovel to move some of the dirt out of the way.
- Wrap one end of the chain around the base of the shrub. Using a figure 8 design, wrapping the chain not only around the trunk of the shrub, but also the closest large branches near the base. This will aid in minimizing slipping later in the process.
- Secure the other end of the chain to the trailer hitch on the back of your vehicle. Make sure to use a truck or larger car that is capable of towing a trailer. This will minimize the chances of placing too much stress on the engine or the bumper, and damaging the vehicle.
- Advance the vehicle away from the shrub slowly. In some cases, the movement will be enough to finish dislodging the root system of the shrub and allow it to pop out of the ground. If not, then stop the vehicle and use the spade and hoe to dig out a little more around the roots. This will often lead to freeing the shrub. Always dig on the side opposite the chain, so if the shrub should pop out suddenly, you are not hit in the face as it flies toward the vehicle.
- Transport the now free overgrown shrubs from the property. Toss all the shrubs into the bed of the truck and move them to a location for burning or whatever other disposal methods are allowed in your area.