Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using a pickup truck
• Method 2 of 3: Dig out shrubs by hand
• Method 3 of 3: Using a jack
• Necessities
• Using a pick-up truck
• Dig out shrubs by hand
• Prune to the roots
• Using a jack

Removing a bush is quite a physical workout, but any homeowner can get it done without too much effort. If you don't want to cut the shrub, you can use a pickup truck to pull it out of the ground. Otherwise, you can cut the shrub into pieces with pruning shears and then dig out the roots. When you're done, you'll have a piece of bare ground that you can do all sorts of things with.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using a pickup truck

1. Reverse the car close to the bush. If you don't have a pick-up of your own, you can ask a friend for help. It doesn't matter how much horsepower the car has, but you do need a towbar. Never attempt this with a vehicle smaller than a pick-up.
   • If you can't arrange a pick-up yourself, you can rent one. However, you may prefer not to do this in case something goes wrong.
2. Wrap a pull chain around the shrub. Pulling chains are designed to tow cars, so they are strong enough for shrubs. Wrap the chain around the bottom of the shrub's trunk, as close to the ground as possible. Loop the end of the chain around the chain to keep it in place.
3. Hook the chain onto the tow bar of the pick-up. Keep the rest of the chain as low to the ground as possible during this process. The chain should always be attached to the tow bar, rather than to a weaker part of the pick-up such as the bumper.
4. Remove everyone from the area. Bring children and pets in. Ask any spectators to stand at a distance in case the chain breaks or something splinters. It's for their own safety.
5. Drive slowly forward with the pick-up. Lightly press the accelerator and roll forward. Once the chain is off the ground and taut, stop moving. This will give the bush a tug and may not remove it completely the first time.
   • Avoid pressing the accelerator all the way. While it may seem like a good idea to drive fast, it can cause the chain to break and damage the pickup and the ground.
6. Drive backward and then forward again until the bush is removed. Reverse towards the bush so that the chain is loose, then drive forward again to give the bush one more tug. Repeat this until the shrub emerges from the ground.

Method 2 of 3: Dig out shrubs by hand

1. Put on gloves and clothing with long sleeves and legs. Protect your skin before you start removing the shrub. A long-sleeved shirt and long pants, such as jeans, will protect you from scratches. Also put on a pair of gardening gloves.
2. Cut away smaller branches with trimming shears. Simply place the branches between the jaws and cut them away. Work from the outside in, slowly shrinking the shrub. You usually don't need to trim all of the sticking out branches, as removing thicker branches in the center will also remove the smaller ones.
   • Use loppers to make this task quick and easy. You can also use a jigsaw, branch saw, or handsaw.
3. Cut thicker branches close to the trunk. Find the branches in the center of the shrub. Saw this off as close to the trunk as possible.
   • You can also use a chainsaw for larger shrubs. Wear protective equipment, including a helmet, safety glasses, ear protection and safety gloves. Prevent the chainsaw from hitting the ground.
4. Saw the trunk close to the ground. Hold the handsaw or branch saw flat and cut through the trunk gradually. Cut the trunk to remove any remaining branches that are in the way. The lower you can cut the trunk, the more weight is removed from the remaining part of the shrub.
   • Do not use a chainsaw when working close to the ground as this can cause kickback.
   • If you don't plan on removing the roots, you can stop now. Use a sander to sand down the trunk and apply a weed killer to kill the trunk. This ensures that no new growth can emerge from the trunk and that diseases, such as mold, do not form.
5. Dig a ditch around the shrub to expose the roots. A pointed garden shovel also works. Dig as close to the trunk as possible. Remove the soil from all sides of the trunk until the roots are exposed.
6. Break through the roots with a saw or loppers. A branch saw or jigsaw can easily cut through most roots. You can also use a handsaw or loppers if you don't have the aforementioned. A pointed spade can also cut the roots of smaller shrubs. Cut all the roots that you see.
   • An ax or pickaxe are also good options for cutting the roots.
7. Dig as deep as necessary to accommodate the blade of a shovel under the trunk. Keep digging straight down in one spot. You will then see the bottom of the shrub right under the soil. Slide your shovel underneath.
8. Lift the trunk with a shovel. Push down on the shovel handle to lift the trunk. It will probably not come out in one go, because some roots are still attached. Continue digging and cutting roots to free the trunk.
   • It helps if someone else pushes the trunk up with the shovel while you pull the trunk up. It is then easier to reach stunted roots.
9. Fill the hole with soil. Remove the branches and other plant material. Use your shovel to fill and smooth the hole where the bush stood.
10. Recycle parts of the shrub. Some garbage collection services accept bundled branches and other plant material. Call them to inquire. If they don't, put the waste material in a garden waste bag and take it to the nearest recycling center.
    • Check the website of the city where you live for recycling rules, as well as the locations of disposal points that accept organic waste. You can also try to compost the waste and use it for your other plants.

Method 3 of 3: Using a jack

1. Cut the branches of the shrub with loppers. Work from the outside in and remove the smaller branches. This can also be done with other tools such as a saw.
2. Dig a ditch around the bush. Use your pointed spade or garden shovel to expose the roots of the shrub. Dig all the way around the shrub so that the roots are exposed on all sides.
3. Cut the roots with an ax. Use an ax or pickaxe to cut the exposed roots. If you don't have such tools, you may also be able to do it with a pointed spade or saw.
4. Place plywood boards on both sides of the shrub. Place 2 or 3 flat planks on each side of the shrub. The planks give the jack more height to raise the shrub.
5. Place a jack stand on one side of the shrub. These can be found in auto parts stores. Place them on the multiplek planks with the lift arm up.
   • If you don't have a stool stand, you can put 2 or 3 concrete blocks on top of the plywood.
6. Place the jack on the other side of the bush. Place the jack on the plywood boards on the opposite side of the shrub. Make sure to use a strong jack, such as a long, flat hydraulic jack. This type of jack can support weight better and should have a mechanical arm that you can jack while standing behind it.
   • Scraper jacks, which are often used on cars, are not recommended. They are a bit weaker and only designed for a specific type of car.
7. Place a wooden beam over the stool and jack stand. A 10x15 cm bar is the standard size, but for larger shrubs you may need a longer bar. Rest one end on the jack and the other end on the jack stand.
8. Tie the log to the beam with a pull chain. Check the pull chain to make sure it is not damaged. If it does, get a new one from an auto parts store. Attach one end of the chain to the beam, then route it to the log. Wrap it around the trunk, then loop it.
9. Put on safety glasses and clear the area. You are going to put a lot of pressure on the bar and chain. Both can hit back, so you need to wear safety goggles. Make sure that children, pets and spectators are far away or enter.
10. Crank up the jack. Use the mechanical arm of the jack. The arm will raise the bar, raising the trunk. If the trunk does not raise enough, lower the jack and place a few logs on the arm of the jack and under the beam.
11. Saw away the exposed roots. Get the ax or any other cutting tool you used before. Lower the crank as far as it will go to relieve tension on the chain, then cut the remaining roots. When you're done, roll the trunk out of the hole.

Necessities

Using a pick-up truck

• Pick-up car
• Pull chain
• Towbar

Dig out shrubs by hand

• Protective clothingProtective clothing
• Loppers
• Scoop
• Saw
• Garbage bags for garden waste

Prune to the roots

• Cutting shears
• Saw
• Weed killer

Using a jack

• Scoop
• Jack
• Jack stand or concrete blocks
• Plywood boards
• Wooden beam
• Pull chain
• Saw