How to Remove a Japanese Boxwood

Japanese boxwood (Buxus microphylla) is a versatile landscape shrub. Its small, slow and rounded growth makes it a useful border or hedging plant. The evergreen is typically hardy and problem-free, when grown in preferred conditions. Boxwoods planted in inappropriate locations or suffering decline due to health or pests, sometimes require removal. The roots are relatively small, compact and usually noninvasive, according to the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. The plant’s root ball is generally as large as the boxwood’s canopy. This makes plant removal less difficult.

Clippers
Hand pruners
Loppers
Spade shovel
Rake
Trash can
Trash bag
Tarp

Instructions

- 1
  Trim the Japanese boxwood’s foliage down to the main trunk section. Use clippers or hand pruners to remove thin branches. Prune away the entire canopy for easier digging and removal of the plant’s root system.
- 2
  Prune off trunk sections and thicker branches of the Japanese boxwood. Cut through the larger branches and trunk using loppers. Trim the plant down as close to the ground as possible.
- 3
  Insert a spade shovel into the ground 12 to 24 inches from the Japanese boxwood’s center. Dig down 12 to 18 inches to loosen and cut through the root ball. Step on the shovel with your foot and push down, to help cut through the roots.
- 4
  Dig around the entire plant to cut through the root ball. Insert the shovel under the boxwood’s root ball and lift it from the planting site. Cut through any attached roots with loppers to release the plant from the soil, if required. Fill the empty hole with soil or replant with a healthy plant.
- 5
  Clean the work area of clippings and plant debris. Rake up the Japanese boxwood cuttings. Place the cuttings inside a trash can, trash bag or onto a tarp and discard.

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