How To Remove Tree Roots Easy DIY (DIY Concrete Patio EP 1)

A two part method of removing large tree roots by cutting the roots with a reciprocating saw (sawzall) or a similar manual blade (if you are on a budget) and then getting a pry tool (shovel is OK, but not the best choice) will make quick work of surface tree roots. If you have more tips for getting rid of tree roots, let us know in the comments!
Products in this video (these links will support the channel if you end up purchasing):
DeWalt Reciprocating Saw (big boy): amzn.to/3oBU3uV
DeWalt Reciprocating Saw (little guy): amzn.to/3POQMoc
Diablo Pruning Blade: amzn.to/3BmFgvN
Gutster Demolition Tool Pry Bar: amzn.to/3b9mGN3
Q: Won't this damage irrigation or electrical wiring?
A: For wiring, it is unlikely that anything important would be back here or buried that shallow, but to be safe you can call your state's 'call before you dig' organization to mark your utilities for you before hand.
For irrigation, it absolutely COULD, but that depends on where your lines are. All the lines in the area I am working are abandoned/capped when the deck was built, or already trashed by the roots (or both), so no harm if I cut something. Use your common sense when you look at where your sprinklers/lines are and you will be fine.
Q: Won't this hurt the tree?
A: It won't help it, that is for sure. This tree is slated for removal in the long term (probably this fall when I have more time free up from my work schedule) as we are planning on installing a concrete patio that the oak would ruin in another 5-10 years if left. So I don't really care if it damages it or not, BUT if I were keeping the tree, I still wouldn't worry. As old and mature as this thing is, it has a ton of roots we can't see, so removing these will likely not be enough to kill it.
Q: What is your concrete patio DIY project?
A: We never used this wood deck (part of why I was ready to tear it out), but with the kids older now we found they like swimming, so we are wanting a bigger cheap vinyl pool, so a concrete patio will help keep things clean and give us a nice seating area as well as maybe someplace for fires during the winter. We just see more potential use for a concrete patio than the deck had. We will be prepping the ground, removing the tree, laying forms, pouring, and finishing the concrete, but first these tree roots had to be removed. I have a few friends I am going to hire (if they have the time) to help that know about concrete, and I am hoping to get their advice on how to do something similar if you wanted to TRULY go all DIY.
Q: A better way is XYZ...
A: As stated in the video, this is what I have found based on my experience, but I don't claim it is the only or best way to remove large tree roots. I appreciate you letting others know what you have found that is helpful for removing tree roots!
Copper Creek Cuts is a lawn care and landscaping business in Florida with a goal to entertain and educate.
Contact me: [e-mail]

[@jocastil1968]

I followed the exact steps, but I waited until after a good rain to remove the roots. The ground was much softer and it made a big difference in the amount of energy needed.

[@NYDRAINS]

One thing I definitely learned from watching this video was never under any circumstances plant houses near trees 😆 🤣 😂 that was a good one! but those were some serious roots 💪😉👍

[@musikdrengen02]

You can plant some trees, just do some research before planting ✌️😎

[@janiedunn637]

Depends what type of tree 🌲.

[@KS-ox1kx]

😂😂😂😂😂 definitely not the two story type. Even more plumbing problems 😂😂😂

[@joshuakahikuata7001]

0⁰⁰9

[@vickigonya9432]

😂😂😂😂❤

[@patrickshaddock1624]

After watching this, I went out and bought a saw with the diablo blade. Just removed some huge tree roots now and it worked a treat. Thanks from Australia!

[@chadwickcameron]

Well done! Enjoyed watching the video and all of the spinal adjustments. 😅 In my experience, the reciprocating saw, a hatchet for the stubborn little ones (yes, you will dull it but you will sharpen it later) and the pry bar are key. I use a 60 inch pinch point pry bar that you can also use to break small roots. One tip that I find very effective: Cut some of those big roots from the surface like you did but then just -wait- a few weeks/months if possible for the root to die. For most trees, dead roots are very brittle, and they will come up easier, often just by breaking with the leverage of lifting one end. So if I were to tackle a project like that on my own yard I would get out there and do as many cuts as I could from the surface and then just focus on other projects and things for a few weeks if while I wait for the roots to die/dry out .

[@rebeccajohnson1368]

Smart

[@nahnotsomuch2292]

Yep. We just learned this same thing over the last summer trying to clear a new trail and a 50'x50' plot for a new cabin. The reciprocating saw worked like a charm.

[@Sonya9465]

This was such a great video to watch. Loved your sense of humor while getting this job done.

[@milesmalachowski5542]

Biggest lesson I learned was not planting houses next to trees. :) I would add that placing a hard board under the lever bar may prevent it from sinking into the soil and give you more leverage action. Great video!

[@damong4128]

House Planting!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@LarryCoffer]

tip. high-pressure water along the roots to expose them more.

[@Uberfluous404]

Air spade is good tool for that

[@mikedunn7795]

Yes,I exposed the roots of a much smaller tree using my pressure washer. Makes it easier to see the extent of the roots,and gives a cleaner root to extend blade life.

[@joycewilliams967]

Brad, I love your positive attitude and your humor! You are a natural born teacher. Can’t wait to see more of your home improvement videos! Thank You for sharing this.

[@shayj8883]

I love his reciprocal saw. It would scare me though. I drill with my eye closed…

[@Gwen-joyful-light]

@@shayj8883 😂

[@ridermak4111]

This video will be handy evidence for your neighbor after the very large tree (formerly held up by very large roots) crushes his house. Your insurance company will dump you without paying one dime. Not kidding. This is real. Consult a professional arborist before cutting roots.

[@gr8dvd]

​@@ridermak4111 True but ONLY if tree failed shortly after surface roots removed. For this reason I’m giving notice to my town that if they decide not to remove their tree that’s destroying my driveway plus sidewalk & curb (all my responsibility to maintain by code), I will remove roots and THEY are on notice that a failure is on them. Importantly town planted tree 3’ from driveway tho code sez 10’ minimum.

[@ridermak4111]

@@gr8dvd WOW ! There’s a huge difference between concrete being damaged in slow motion, and innocent people being killed in an instant. But it sounds like you don’t much care about that difference. ….you’re responsible for the curb, too? Yeah, right. My sidewalk has been lifted by roots in two places, and lots of my neighbors have had the same problem. None of us has ever whined about it. I guess we like the shade.

[@JoseRodriguez-hx6wk]

This is no easy task and you did this alone. You’re a good man. Tackling this job by yourself.💪 Good work.

[@gloriamenchero1926]

Man versus tree. Those roots are as big as the tree. You make it very fun to watch. Thank you!

[@justjulee9135]

You are quite handy with the tools! Those roots were some serious business for sure. And, I promise to never plant my house near trees. A very valuable lesson!

[@jenwhite5387]

Diablo blades are the BEST! Love them. Thanks for an informative video!

[@khalidalamri6566]

I'm genuinely excited about this project, waiting for part 2 :)

[@Ikantspell4]

Nice! Tip on the reciprocal saw for newbies-. Keep it pushed firm against what you're cutting so it works well and does not shake you apart. Buy a few blades they will dull/ break. You can sharpen them. A big bar is cool. Doesn't need to be fancy like this one but bigger is better.

[@MrAstephen]

Good points. Thank you.

[@aglight63]

And wear gloves! I purchased a 120v Porter Cable saw from garage sale for this purpose. Almost shook my teeth loose a gave me 2 quarter sized blisters. I knew better but was careless

[@nacahkeliy]

Thank you for posting this. I will definitely hire someone to this job!!! You are the man!!!

[@leebarker539]

Charming and educational video with real world application. Thank you. Timely too; we have just removed a 30 year old deck and are leveling for pavers. But first, about these roots! I'm going out right now and show them my vintage Blank and Dexter recip saw. They'll get brittle overnight.

[@JudicialMermaid]

Brad, you had me cracking me up during this whole video lol. Your humor is just great and much needed when it comes to frustrating root removal. 😅 Been there, done that. A job well done as always sir!

[@m00050]

You've made a fantastic video, I love the flow of it along with good use of resources. Great job! It is time-consuming to put all the efforts in well organized video.

[@CCTOutdoorServices]

Your such an inspiration sir ! That is why I still keep making my own KZbin videos ! 🤙🏼

[@harrywensel8456]

Over 45 years ago I bought a corded Milwaukee Orbital Super Sawzall to cut out some rotted cast pipe under my house. Case included. I have several Makita cordless recip saws. When I have real work to do it is worth dragging out my Milwaukee. Fun video!!

[@bradtindell902]

You did a great job. It shows how tough root removal really is.

[@sweets6865]

I used a recepcating saw and a pic ax i didn't have that bar tool you were using. I got the job done by myself on a slope in my backyard after I removed all the tree roots, i put in a flower bed. Turned out nice. I enjoyed this video.

[@macdege6754]

I always enjoy these. I need to watch more.

[@t23001]

No trip to the ER and no cuts to the utilities -that’s a win!

[@jasm.5823]

I had no idea there were pruning blades. Just ordered a 6-pack of these. Can’t wait to clear some old roots!

[@chrisgreen177]

Damn! I thought my backyard was the only one to have this problem. Thanks for the info, because I'm going out to get some of those reciprocating saw blades and plan my spring. I'm working out now in preparation for the job.

[@petanders1968]

We've just started digging up some old roots too, using a early black and decker recip saw, isn't as fast as yours but seems to work and using a thick welders glove helps to dampen the vibrations and yes we too like the way the house builders plonked our house in the middle of several oak trees! Our next project is how to burn out a massive tree stump that should be fun!

[@lauranewbie8765]

You should use a stump grinder. Fast and easy.

[@mariabambrough5391]

My roots are seriously gigantic. It's just me, myself and I. I will go digging again and think about what to do. Great video.

[@dancooper6447]

I feel your pain! We bought an older house, and for the past three years I have been cutting trees down and pulling up roots. I have never seen a pry bar like that, but the search is on! Great video!

[@alfilkemper9240]

The pry bar looks like my pallet buster tool.

[@margaret275]

Love the humor! Great job!

[@pqworks9019]

You’re absolutely right about using a recip saw! I had to rip out a massive stump in my yard and I dug around it and used a big recip saw with the same pruning blades! It definitely got the job done!

[@marksmith1003]

I am considering a similar but smaller scale job and am curious as to why the reciprocating saw is preferred to a chain saw?

[@pqworks9019]

@@marksmith1003 when a chainsaw blade makes contact with dirt, the blades will become dull almost immediately, with recip saw blades, they are made of strong materials that are built to cut into abrasive materials, like wood, nails, and metal, so the recip saw will work very well. If the roots are small enough, an axe will be a good choice.

[@workonitm8]

@@pqworks9019 YEP !

[@penniboo5818]

A great video. It showed just how far tree roots can grow. I was contemplating buying a house with some cracking near trees. You have informed me how bad roots can be and It's put me off. Think you've saved me a lot of trouble Thank you

[@janababuljakova2534]

Musí to dát hodně práce. Už teď se těším na další video s kořeny stromů. 👍👍👏🌿

[@cypeman8037]

I've got this leverage tool, I've got to use it. Glad you finally realised to start with the thinner ends of the roots first and working your eay back to the main trunk.

[@sargelaforgia4787]

Thanks for the tip. I went and ordered some of those Diablo reciprocating saw blades. I had root problem also. Not as bad as yours, but these blades made my work easy. Thank you sir.

[@CJ-ep7tg]

Thanks for the great video! I usually blast the roots with a power washer to better expose them, helps out a ton

[@audreybowles6357]

WOW, this is just back breaking work. Thanks for the video and be careful out there.

[@keithgeisen]

I enjoyed the video - been there, done that - but I used another tool that I have - I have a 3000psi pressure washer - yep! I'm too old to be prying so one day I tried it. It's messy, but I found the water allows the dirt to loosen the ground. The 2nd day, I watered the area a lot. Then the roots + the reciprocating saw worked great. I also used the pressure washer for placing a 4x4 post for the mailbox. Easiest installation EVER.

[@andycapp8843]

Another useful alternative to the reciprocating saw is to hire a stump grinder, a pedestrian type will do fine on those thick roots and with a lot less physical effort. If available, a mini digger with a ripper to rip out the other lateral roots. The mini digger will also finish off the basic site work.

[@paulatiredofthisshit]

Hahaha another useful alternative is to pay someone money for other tools. No kidding!!! Not the point of the video.

[@CCTOutdoorServices]

Your one of the reasons why I started my KZbin channel 🤙🏼🔥

[@deborahflorence2332]

You were fuuuuuuuuuuuny but hard-working !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am following your lead,

[@toddbehrends1373]

I have used reciprocating saws to do the same thing when I take out mulberry trees when I do yard clean-ups.

[@valeriek5020]

I used the diablo 12 inch blade with sawsall and it worked well for me. Took time and patience, but works. Filled remaining holes four or five times over three month period.

[@gunnywills9859]

Brad, great tips on how to remove roots. I had a giant oak tree cut down to a sump last year. After a heavy rain dampen the soil, the reciprocal saw cut through the wood and soil with ease. Afterwards the pry bar can now lift the trunk and snap the roots underneath.

[@SpecialK2644]

OMG That root is giving you the business!!!

[@tony9305]

Love the video and the free knowledge. Thank you

[@jimbelflower6704]

Great job. Yes, certain trees have shallow roots that should not be planted near homes, like maples.

[@ahmedsi]

Brilliant work my friend! I am dealing with the same issue in the front yard. Hopefully the tree service I have hired will take the same steps

[@nikothedog1]

I do tree work and your way is much better I send your video to my buddies... your tools are going to help us thanks.... But A dingo is the best thing

[@user-vn9cb5le5x]

I did the same thing last year after taking down a 60ft tree. I had a guy come in with a stump grinder, but he didn’t get all the roots. I had three Batteries for my reciprocating saw for continuous work. This was one of the most physical work digging out the roots, especially the ones the branch out in all different directions. He wasn’t kidding about the vibrations, I had many callouses afterwards.

[@railtonfeagus8539]

Amazing job! That demolition bar is great, I'm already going on Amazon to look for one. I did a similar job in my back yard last summer, but all I had was a pick ax and crow bar. I found that sharpening the pick ax with an angle grinder every 30 mins or so really helped hack through the roots, but I swear I felt stiff for two weeks and almost still feel the shocks and vibrations in my shoulders from hitting those damn roots 9 months later.

[@martym63]

Wow! Wish I had seen this before we spent a couple of hours trying to do this with a mini chain saw and no pry tool!!! Great video. Funny too when you do acrobatics at the end of your pry tool. Thanks for the great info!

[@oNeGiAnTLiE]

Chainsaws are destroyed in dirt

[@gdpope52]

Honestly, this was so entertaining and I don’ even have roots I need to remove!!

[@ravenXO]

I never thought to let my blade go down into the dirt. This will be cake. Thank you for showing me that. I have a small stump about to meet its demise.

[@jmodified]

It will really dull the blade quickly, so just buy a pack of cheap ones if you need to do a lot of it.

[@lukeherbert25]

Keep up the great and awesome work

[@grumplepig]

Great effort. I’d be cutting up the root for firewood. I’m lovin your pry tool

[@ruthstory2277]

Love the video! I use my rip saw alot!!

[@clarkdoukas3477]

Yep.... that was me also. 8" tree roots are no joke NICELY done and I got a great laugh, also. Cheers!

[@janicevstein6391]

Seems like the kind of stuff I do many times. Always better to try and solve a problem first before hiring someone and spending a lot of money. I’ll bet you got it looking great I loved watching you work. Enjoyed the video. Thanks.

[@sickb2200]

This is why I took out all the big trees in my yard. Made life much easier.

[@Eric-yt7fp]

This video makes me want to be your friend. Great stuff man.

[@padroooo]

A farm jack would work really well. Thanks for the video

[@cathiwim]

Looking forward to the next vids!

[@user-hz3wh9ei5d]

Really good video. I learned a lot.

[@kennichols3992]

After seeing this video and being convinced that it was a workable solution I took the recommendation and got Diablo Pruning Blades and the Gutster Demolition Tool Pry Bar (I have a Ryobi cordless reciprocating saw). My results? The Diablo blades are beasts - they cut fast and don't seem to react badly to the rocks in the soil. That pry bar is strong (much better than any shovel handle), and I'm bearing down on it with all the force necessary to bring up the roots, including snapping the offshoots. Thank you for your advice!

[@chasingthefish9042]

It makes me happy that I am one of those people who consistently told you to use a sawzall lol. Back saver for sure.

[@alannakennedy5273]

I was wondering about the best way to do this. Thanks for the info.

[@scorpionpro]

Thank you for this video. I have been trying to figure out how to cut back some crepe myrtle roots so I can do a landscaped path . I was thinking of a chainsaw but the reciprocating saw is better !

[@musicalbirds2928]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@rayseto2724]

If you had the room to use an axe, I've found an axe to be pretty effective in cutting through roots in the ground. My project was digging a trench for a drain pipe in my yard, but the trench encountered all kinds of tree roots. I used a reciprocating saw with a diablo blade (12" !) and it only got me "so far" until my neighbor demonstrated his axe on the remaining roots...

[@ifixeditmyself1926]

Wow...those roots are crazy.

[@jontnoneya3404]

LOVE IT - I bought a $50 beater recip saw from Harbor Freight. It's like 14 amp, corded and I bought 2 of those Diablo Pruning blades. One 9" and the other is 12" and I just saw some dude here on YT yesterday with an 18" blade!!! He cut up a HUGE tree that had fallen on his property like a year before. It was something like 40' in length and I'm not sure how big the trunk was but eventually he got through it. Said it took him a few hours. I've got about a 25' tall tree in my front yard that's like 1/2 dead and really needs to come out. Spent the weekend pruning out the dead and now it's lopsided so I'll prune back the branches. No ready to take it all down....going to wait for cooler weather. And I'm thinking I'm going to use the beater recip saw to take the whole thing down but we'll see. Would have loved to see the after effects of all that hard work. This vid is a bit unsatisfying in that regard. If there is a part 2 to this vid, you should link it in your description. makes it easier to get more view

[@mugbee1]

Loved it!!❤️

[@mishkawp8200]

Very interesting. Thank you!

[@davidweatherall1486]

Thank you for the information. I'll try this

[@Younglady861]

Hey man you did a great job.

[@ccsmith2937]

I totally agree. A $20 corded Harbor Freight Saw Zall is ideal or that. 👍👍

[@BobSmith-wh9hz]

👍👍What a great video. I have some big roots from my neighbors tree. Should prove interesting.

[@jimgraham4673]

I've done this before and found that dirt will dull your blade prematurely, so digging out at several cut points and trying your best to not let the blade drag through the dirt extends the use of the blade x3 at least. Still, very satisfying to create a clean slate for your project.

[@salvadormonella8953]

Sounds to me like you're using the wrong blade. I've never had this problem.

[@jimgraham4673]

@@salvadormonella8953 I should have told you I live in AR. and we grow rocks here as well as cotton. Either way, I find less dirt grinding on the blade makes for a longer lasting blade.

[@salvadormonella8953]

@@jimgraham4673 Arkansas is home to the world's only diamond-hunting focused publicly accessible park, so I'll BET you got some stones there! I've never been to AR, but your freeway patrol sure seems to be on the hunt for fast Dodge Chargers all the time, if youtube is any indicator. I've been to 39 of the 50 states, & AR is on my list, but as of now it's one of 11 I haven't been to yet. Out here in California, our soil is like sponge cake. I have thrust many blades into much dirt & never had a problem. I chalk it up not so much to our insubstantial soil, but to the superior blades I buy, and to my deft Sawzall handling. Cheers.

[@RandyBeers]

Carbide blades hold up better in the case where you have to play in the dirt...

[@riab6021]

I had some type of tree/weed grow in the crack between my driveway edge and foundation. I still have the stump there. I will try the reciprocating saw to get at least less showing.

[@alfonsoestrada9263]

Good job buddy!!!

[@ChuckD59]

Funny that I just came in a few minutes ago after looking at our sorry excuse for a deck, and wondering if the previous owners put any thought to planting a silver Maple where they did. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.

[@robertshrewsbury4241]

Good topic to address.

[@JonnyCrazytrain]

Well dadgummit! I wasn't notified about this video. I get notified only about half the time for your videos these days. I don't always get notified, but when I do, it's a miracle lol

[@sheriroberts5971]

Your a funny guy! Thanks for the video!

[@stevesutton3996]

Stop, you're making my back hurt! Great job and perserverance.!

[@cherrielee144]

Insane! I trimmed a Red Maple. Learning how to get rid of the roots. Good job sir. Take of your back though. My suggestion is to get rid of the tree and plant some appropriate for the yard

[@markmarks7039]

I used a chain saw fourteen inch to do mine it worked great

[@tyler558806]

Hearing both of yall laugh as I'm laughing to you saying "this goes to show you why you don't plant houses right next to trees" was the highlight of this video. LOL

[@billfeldman3234]

GOOD JOB!!!

[@erneststrother4075]

I had to remove some roots from my friend's house pretty much like you were doing. It was an Oak tree and the reason you can not lift up the roots even when you cut them like every 1 1/2 feet is the tap roots. The roots growing along the surface also have these at times thick tap roots going almost straight down into the ground from the surface root. Hence the name tap root. I took a shovel and dug out the ground enough beside the tap root to cut it with the reciprocating saw. The saw works great for cutting through the roots for the most part unless they are a lot bigger than 9 inches like he said. You can see these tap roots as he pulls up the surface roots. I did not have a tear down bar like his but had to use a shovel and a flat one at that but it got the job done. When the root will not lift off the ground even an inch that is where the tap root is. So just go down the root lifting and when you can not lift it hardly at all that is the tap root. Had me stumped (pun intended) until I remembered about tap roots dug out the dirt and cut it. Easy after that. The small tap roots like those up against the house are easy to man handle or woman handle or whatever gender you think you are.

[@diamond6256]

You definitely needed to do more cuts then raise. We just removed the last 3 of 7 trees we wanted to get rid of, that was causing house damage. We still have 4, but they are staying. I did plant 2 Nellie Stevens hollies away from the house in flower beds where they should be. Good job! Don't forget to post what you did after a while.

[@eddiedallou6954]

That’s a big task 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@mrai9199]

😂 this video is soooo funny, but I feel the pain hence looking on youtube to find different ways to remove tree roots. Thanks for sharing.

[@lisawaters2585]

Just as I was about to ask if you were at all afraid of the tree coming down with its roots all cut like that...I saw your sentence about removing it. So. Interesting video.

[@SSJIndy]

I acquired a a Root Slayer shovel when I had some similar issues. Man that thing is wicked. Heavy and heavy duty with a row of shark like teeth down each side of the blade. Probably would have been great if I had a reciprocating saw to augment the job. I was taking out Locust roots. Same winding long root trails, close to 100 ft in places.

[@davidmendonca5992]

That was strangely satisfying to see you overcome those obstacles. I also have a root problem, but after an hour of that I would definitely need a chiropractor. 😅

[@briandoyle6774]

Great video. Thanks

[@emmanuelmiralibisimwa4066]

Thank you for this video