How To Remove Large Bushes

If you have overgrown shrubs taking over your yard, knowing how to remove large bushes is an essential skill. This simple step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process safely and efficiently, from planning to clean-up.

Removing a big bush might seem daunting, but with the right tools and a methodical approach, it’s a very manageable weekend project. You’ll save money on professional landscaping services and gain a clean slate for your new garden design. Let’s get started with what you’ll need before you make the first cut.

This main section covers the core removal process. We’ll break it down into clear phases to ensure you don’t miss a crucial step and stay safe throughout.

Essential Tools and Safety Gear

Gathering your equipment beforehand makes the job smoother. Don’t skimp on safety—this is the most important part.

Pruning Tools: Bypass loppers, a pruning saw, and sharp bypass hand pruners.
Cutting Tools: A sturdy bow saw or a reciprocating saw with a long, coarse wood-cutting blade.
Digging Tools: A sharp, long-handled spade and a digging shovel. A mattock or pickaxe is great for tough roots.
Leveraging Tools: A heavy-duty iron digging bar (often called a pry bar) is invaluable.
Safety Gear: Safety glasses, thick leather gloves, long pants, and sturdy boots with grip.
Other: Heavy-duty tarp for debris, rope, and possibly a come-along winch for very heavy specimens.

Step 1: Assess and Prepare the Area

Start by looking closely at the bush. Identify any utility lines (call 811 before you dig), structures, or plants nearby you want to protect. Clear the area around the bush of any movable objects.

Plan your exit path for removing the debris. Lay your tarp nearby to pile branches on—this makes cleanup much easier later. If the bush is near a fence or building, you may want to tie back some branches with rope to improve access to the base.

Step 2: Prune the Bush Back

Your goal here is to remove the bulk of the top growth to reveal the main trunk(s) and make the root system easier to access. Don’t be timid.

Using your loppers and pruning saw, start cutting back the outer branches. Work from the top down and from the outside in.
Cut branches into manageable lengths (3-4 feet) as you go and pile them on your tarp.
Continue until you have mostly just the main trunk or a cluster of large stems left, about waist-high. This stump gives you leverage later.

Step 3: Cut and Remove the Main Stump

Now it’s time to tackle the core of the plant. This is where your heavy-duty tools come into play.

Expose the root flare. Use your shovel to clear away mulch, soil, and debris from the base of the stump to see where the main roots begin.
For multi-stemmed bushes, use your reciprocating saw or bow saw to cut each major stem as close to the ground as possible. You may need to cut them one at a time if they’re thick.
For a single trunk, use your saw to cut it as low as you possibly can. A flat stump is easier to deal with than a tall one.

Step 4: Dig Out the Root Ball

This is the most physically demanding part. Patience and the right technique are key to getting the whole root system out.

Start digging a trench around the stump, about 1 to 2 feet out from the center. Your trench should be at least 1.5 feet deep.
As you dig, you’ll encounter large lateral roots. Use your pruning saw or reciprocating saw to sever these roots cleanly as you uncover them.
Once the lateral roots are cut, work your shovel or digging bar underneath the root ball. Try to lever it up to find the taproot (the main central root going down).
Sever the taproot. You’ll likely need to use your saw or chop it with the mattock. Once it’s cut, the root ball should be free.

Step 5: Extract and Fill the Hole

With the root ball freed, you need to get it out of the ground and restore the area.

Lever the root ball out of the hole using your digging bar. For very heavy ones, use the bar to roll it, or hook a come-along winch to it.
Drag the root ball onto your tarp and remove it. You can break it apart with an axe or let it dry out before disposal.
Fill the hole left behind with the soil you originally removed. Tamp it down firmly to avoid settling.
Add some fresh topsoil or compost to level the area, ready for new sod or planting.

Disposal Options for Bush Debris

You’ll have a lot of organic material. Here are your best options:

Rent a Chipper: Turn branches into valuable wood chip mulch for other garden beds.
Municipal Yard Waste: Many cities offer curbside pickup for bundled branches and compostable bags of leaves.
Local Drop-Off: Take it to a community composting facility or landfill green waste section.
Creative Reuse: Larger straight branches can be used for garden stakes or rustic projects. Let smaller stuff dry for kindling.

What to Plant After Removing a Large Bush

Once you’ve cleared the space, you have a wonderful opportunity. Consider these ideas:

Plant a new, smaller ornamental shrub that won’t outgrow its space.
Create a vibrant perennial flower bed.
Install a decorative garden feature like a birdbath or bench.
Lay down sod to expand your lawn area.
Start a small vegetable or herb garden in the sunny new spot.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learning from others errors can save you time and backache. Here’s what often goes wrong.

Skipping the Utility Check: Always call 811. Hitting a gas or electric line is dangerous and costly.
Using Dull Tools: Sharp tools are safer and require less effort. Sharpen your shovel and saw blades.
Not Cutting Back Enough: Trying to dig around a full bush is nearly impossible. Prune it down aggressively first.
Leaving Roots Behind: If you just cut the stump at ground level, many bushes will resprout. Aim to remove the major root mass.
Ignoring Soil Amending: The soil in the old root zone can be depleted. Mix in compost before planting something new.

FAQ: Your Bush Removal Questions Answered

What’s the easiest way to remove a large bush?

The easiest method is the one outlined here: prune it back heavily, cut the stump low, and systematically dig out the root ball. For extremely large or stubborn bushes, renting a mechanical stump grinder for the final root piece is the easiest but most expensive option.

How do you get rid of bushes without digging?

You can kill a bush by cutting it to the ground and immediately painting the fresh stump with a concentrated glyphosate or triclopyr herbicide. This kills the roots but takes time and leaves dead roots in the ground, which can be a tripping hazard or attract pests as they decay.

Can I remove a bush by myself?

Yes, for most medium to large bushes, one person can do it with the right tools and by breaking the job into stages. For very large, old shrubs or small trees, having a second person to help with leverage and lifting is highly recommended for safety.

What time of year is best for removing bushes?

Late fall or winter is often ideal. The plant is dormant, the ground is usually softer (not frozen), and you’ll have less foliage to deal with. Spring and summer work too, but the plant is heavier with water and you’ll disturb any nesting birds.

How deep are bush roots typically?

Most shrub roots are in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil, spreading wider than the plant’s canopy. The main anchoring roots may go down 2 to 3 feet, but the majority of the feeder roots are shallow. This is why digging a trench around it works well.

Removing large bushes is a rewarding project that instantly changes the look of your property. By following this simple step-by-step guide, you can tackle the job confidently. Remember to work safely, use sharp tools, and be patient with the root removal process. With the old bush gone, you can look forward to creating a beautiful new space in your garden that better suits your vision.