How to Get Rid of Overgrown Shrubs in Your Yard

Digging

• 1

  Cut off lateral branches using a chainsaw or saw. Remove the shrub’s top by cutting horizontally 4 feet from the ground. Leaving 4 feet of trunk growth gives you leverage when removing from the soil.

• 2

  Digging a trench 6 to 12 inches away from the shrub’s base and 12 inches deep helps remove the root system. Use your hands to expose the root system from the dirt.

• 3

  Cut the roots with a saw. Press a landscape bar underneath the shrub. Use your weight to push the shrub through the soil. Cut up the shrub with a saw to discard or burn.

Stump Grinder

• 4

  Remove any rocks or debris next to the shrub. Cut the shrub 2 inches from ground level with a chainsaw.

• 5

  Lift the stump grinder’s grinder wheel with the hydraulic lever. Drive the stump grinder towards the shrub’s stump.

• 6

  Lower the swinging stump grinder wheel, so that the blades rip through the wood moving side to side. Advance the machine after you have digging down 4 inches.

• 7

  Stop the machine and check to see if the hole is 4 inches deep using a measuring tape. Drive the stump grinder back.

• 8

  Fill the hole with dirt. Replant grass or an ornamental plant on top of the soil.