How to Pull Out Bushes

Pulling Out Bushes

• 1

  Slice off the leafy, thinner growths of the bush with a manual hedge trimmer. Cut back the bush until you reach the thicker, woody branches at the base.

• 2

  Cut thicker branches, too large for the trimmer, with pruning shears. Cut off all the branches until only the base, or stump of the bush remains.

• 3

  Dig around the base of the bush with a flat shovel. Dig down to at least a depth of 1 foot around the radius of the bush. If you feel the shovel coming into contact with roots, position yourself farther away from the bush and dig a fresh hole in a wider radius around the bush.

• 4

  Push the head of a standard, curved shovel just under the stump of the bush. Push down on the handle to unearth the stump. If the stump does not begin to lift up immediately, remove the shovel and position it under the stump in another area around the circle. You may need to make several attempts from different sides of the stump to fully pry it free.

• 5

  Pry out any remaining roots in the ground with the shovel. Place the stump, roots and unearthed soil in a wheelbarrow for easy removal. Pour fresh soil over the area, and lay down fresh sod, grass seeds or other plantings.