How to Kill Big Roots for Bushes or Plants

Woody bushes, plants and vines leave large roots behind after they die or when you remove them. You may wish to remove these large roots to cultivate soil for planting new items in the same area. Applying glyphosate stump killer in the correct manner kills the roots for easy removal by hand. The best time to use this herbicide is in the fall when plants translocate, or move down, proteins and carbohydrates to the root system; this helps carry the herbicide where it needs to go.

Long-sleeved shirt
Long pants
Safety glasses
Gloves
Shovel
Cordless drill
1-inch drill bit
Paintbrush
Glyphosate stump killer

Instructions

- 1
  Put on a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, safety glasses and disposable gloves to protect skin and eyes from splashing chemicals.
- 2
  Dig the soil with a shovel from around big roots on bushes or plants to expose the roots. Scoop out soil with your hands to remove it and make the entire root system visible.
- 3
  Insert a 1-inch drill bit into a cordless drill. Drill holes in the roots about 1/2 inch deep and a few inches apart.
- 4
  Shake a bottle of 41 percent glyphosate stump killer to mix the ingredients. Remove the lid and pour the herbicide onto one side of a paintbrush. Tilt the brush to let the herbicide drip downward and onto the roots. Paint the entire surface of the roots with glyphosate.
- 5
  Hold the bottle of herbicide close to the holes in the roots. Pour the stump killer into each hole and fill them to the top.
- 6
  Remove the gloves, dispose of them and the paintbrush into the garbage.
- 7
  Pull the roots out by hand after they die and have started to decay.

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