Asked on May 31, 2018

How do you remove large hedges?

Paula Headen
by Paula Headen
i have four hedges in front of my house blocking the windows. I trimmed one and then used a chain saw to cut it down To root. Is there an easy Way to remove roots or cover them. Need ideas
  10 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on May 31, 2018

    you can try to smother the roots out with white vinegar and top with heavy black plastic

  • Jcraw Jcraw on May 31, 2018

    Drill good sized holes in roots and pour in borax. It will take a while, but it will kill. In the meantime, get some colorful potted plants and place them around the space. Some you can put in holes for variety.

  • 2dogal 2dogal on May 31, 2018

    Nope -not with large old shrubs. Cut as many branches off as possible. Dig down around the stump and roots. My neighbor used a hatchet to cut the roots....

  • Ken Ken on May 31, 2018

    These look a little small for stump remover chemicals. When I took out larger shrubs than these I used an axe and a mattock to sever the roots and dig out the stumps. It's a good workout and you can skip the gym that day.

    • Paula Headen Paula Headen on May 31, 2018

      i took I one like the biggest hedge, it was an all day task with a small chain saw. Just thought it was an easier way. Will bleach kill the root over time?

  • Rosanna Rosanna on May 31, 2018

    You will have to dig out the Hedges until you get down to the Roots to get rid of the Hedges

    • Paula Headen Paula Headen on May 31, 2018

      I did that to one, the roots are thick I used a chain saw until it was free. It is a lot of work, was looking for a easier way.

  • Debi53 Debi53 on May 31, 2018

    Everyone is right. You have to dig around the root. I have also removed large shrubs by wrapping a chain around them and hooking it to the hitch on our truck and slowly pulling away. It worked, but make sure if you try this that you have a trailer hitch. You do do not want to hook this to your bumper and have it come off!! LOL

    • Paula Headen Paula Headen on May 31, 2018

      Thanks fit tips. After the first hedge I was too worn out to continue. I will try them all. I like the idea of borax to kill the root it will come out easier.... I can wait.

  • Emily Emily on May 31, 2018

    What Deb said is the way to get rid of them

  • Ken Ken on May 31, 2018

    You won't have to kill the stump. As for removing it, bleach will be counterproductive. A chain saw is not a good choice for working in the dirt. If you chop around the outside of the stump, using the tools I mentioned, severing the roots you should be able to pry the stump out in short time. These shrubs don't put down a stout vertical root, called a tap root. Bet I could have it out in under an hour and that will include lots of breaks.

  • Svolz Svolz on Jun 10, 2018

    Don't remove them especially the bigger ones. Cut them in half or to the height you like. The big thicker ones will fill in on top. It will just be a lower hedge. The smaller ones look like you can remove them easier by digging out the soil around it then pulling it out. Use an ax on the tough roots that can't be cut with a hand clipper or shovel. Good Luck!!

  • My landscaper company had a hard time with a couple of them he put chains around them and pulled with a backhoe till I was worried ab the house but finally got them out lol