How to Remove a Hedge and Dig out the Stumps

Here's how to remove a hedge and dig out the stumps with a shovel and some limb cutters.

[@alysonhamm4980]

Good job. I did a similar job about 4 years ago for a neighbor. Her shrubs were 8-10 feet tall and roots were partially buried under her house. It took two trucks to yang out the footballs even when dug and cut around. We used two jeeps, a chain, and soaked the roots which really helped. Thanks for sharing!

[@envisionbybvinson7516]

My little boy is about to turn 5, the things they say when out being a part of the “help” is the best. Can’t help but laugh and enjoy the little moments every time.

[@fozzybear8878]

You're a great Dad and a really good gardener, Jeb.

[@dawnhartman2000]

I think stumbling across this video may just have saved my hubby and I quite a few thousand dollars. Thank you. Just subscribed.

[@ShadowAbomination]

Great idea hosing down the roots to keep the dirt, and also lighten the stump clump. I'll have to try that next time.

[@binky1612]

Thanks for a useful video. Greetings from the Czech Republic.

[@st4849]

Loved the "thanks for watching" part :)

[@damienderwin6581]

Thanks for the video. Exactly what I need to know 👍

[@BobMelsimpleliving.]

Jeb I was going to say when I do a job like this I wash the soil off the root ball. It makes a big difference and you get to keep the soil. Best wishes Bob

[@JebGardener]

+Bob Lt (BobMel's Gardening) Good point. Too bad I didn't figure it out until stump #2!

[@ES-fd4fr]

Just did this yesterday! Finally got some older Junipers out the backyard. The first one was hell! The second one much better. I understand the labor for sure.

[@JebGardener]

without machinery. there aren't many options

[@JackJenkinsJr]

Great video, you my hero now.

[@russellg3775]

I have a similarly sized hedge I want to remove, and with us all in lockdown now is the perfect time. Just watching your video was exhausting, not sure I can commit to this much effort! All the best from Scotland! :-)

[@jdceja8119]

Hope you did it. I just got mine out after watching this. It definitely was a bear to take out.

[@gregoryhoward7594]

I have to replace 8 of my shrubs. I allowed them to get too big and then for safety (no hiding place around the corner) I did an extreme trimming down and they didn't grow back like I hoped and left gaps in them. So I plan on replacing them, so this was good information on the task I have before me.

[@ChesterKitty01]

Good job! I just got some new shrubbery from Lowes for 75% off (end of season clearance on really high end Monrovia stuff) but now I have to dig out like 3 old shrubs... but at least I don't have to do 8! Cheers

[@JebGardener]

O Knights of Ni, you are just and fair, and we will return with a shrubbery!

[@CB-pt2uo]

We love you Jim , this is good and hilarious 🤣👍

[@Jakilyn]

Thanks! I'm going to attempt this, wish me luck 😅 🤞

[@fozzybear8878]

I loved your video- just what I was looking for- thanks. :)

[@nicolehall2177]

😂😂😂😂this video helped me with removing bushes at my Mom’s. Thank you 🙏🏼 Jeb and son.

[@PnZinWV]

My type of young woman (;

[@garden_geek]

I’ve been trying to remove just 3 box woods for over a month now so I can plant some broccoli there this fall. It’s been much harder than I expected, to be honest! I’m down to one last stump and it’s almost out. I may tackle that today in fact. I left the cut branches to dry on top of the soil and once they were dry I stripped the leaves with a gloved hand to break down on the soil. I think patience is the key, unless you have access to a stump grinder!

[@aprilboneski4639]

Looks heavy Jebb. Great job!

[@JebGardener]

Thanks!

[@duendemunozalvarez362]

Inspiras a las demás personas a hacer eso y mucho más nunca cambies brother súper el mejor 👍💪👉1

[@amandareyes2458]

Helpful and entertaining video - thank you!

[@JebGardener]

Thanks Amanda!

[@TheOldLookOutLodge]

Good work! liked and subscribed!

[@mattheweburns]

That wheelbarrow tip? That's exactly what happens to me every time.... I need a kickstand or training wheels on my wheelbarrow....

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

I'm removing a similar privet. Useful. Thanks

[@face_lookin_boi6783]

I loved the beginning

[@janesmith9024]

Thanks. Mine is even worse a job - removing about 120 plants on 4 box hedges all diseased just to replace with 120 yew (not diseased) - so all that effort just to get back to square one. That always seem to be the way with my DIY or jobs paid for someone to do on the house - just to keep it as it is. I suppose at least the yew cannot catch box diseases. Just removing the 20 box from huge pots was hard enough, then I just did the first 3 plants on the first of the 4 hedge areas (far too diseased to save sadly - my first hope) and they were so tough to remove. Once out do what my mother did - who did a lot of garden work - hit the roots on the soil to leave behind the soil. Our other issue today is for the first time 2 weeks ago our local authority was to remove garden waste - regular collection - first one since covid 19 and they missed us out! So now I have an absolutely massive backlog. Fires not allowed around here otherwise I would burn all the diseased stuff.

[@steph55988]

Love ur channel!!!!💯

[@JebGardener]

awesome!

[@marvinmarcos]

Thank you for sharing sir..

[@bockstie]

Thank you for this. I'm going to get busy on a holly bush.

[@JebGardener]

wear good gloves!

[@lisacherinmayer616]

Jeb I have to do this to a hedge that i'm afraid will grow back if i leave anything -- it was a thorny bush of some sort that a former owner had planted as a hedge -- what are the chances of them growing back up if I don't get it all?

[@JebGardener]

+Lisa Mayer This was a box hedge and nothing has come back up (yet). Unless our plant is notorious for survival I think removing this way will get rid of it.

[@legslipsandlashes9831]

Lisa Mayer I cut my bushes down and my mom warned me that they would grow back. She was right, gotdammit. Its been raining so i will get out there on Friday.

[@TheRoaddog1962]

Nice, clean removal.... I just pulled a row of hedges too, but I used my truck and a chain... a little messy, but efficient.

[@JebGardener]

good idea

[@DanBurgess-hp1mj]

An engine hoist and a chain works better, pulls the entire hedge straight up an out including the roots.

[@newescape01]

"My name is Joe, I want to plant tomatoes next year. I got a hedge in the way.... Let's get rid of it" Me: 🖐 "like button"

[@jackielaskowski4010]

Dominique Savoy Ditto!!

[@CarnalMass]

Same.

[@fozzybear8878]

JEb, loved this video, and i have watche it again and agin. :) What were the hedge planted bushes you removed, please?

[@alliehunter9896]

Would pulling out with tow strap saved all this work?

[@EatWithPookie]

A lot of labor. Comical. Thanks!!

[@royaltee8676]

Jeb, come to Memphis and clear my hedges.☺️

[@denisesmith5639]

Omg this was great. Thanks.

[@JebGardener]

thanks denise

[@MoonlightNothing]

Awesome! Now come dig out my forsythia bush, I only have one.

[@bobkrang5007]

I got a box wood bush issue too. They look nice for the first few years but they are hard to manage and my holly bush has put up runners, it looks like a tangled mess. In Texas you can throw the root ball out, after you dig out the bush, because the soil is gumbo (clay) :-) Thanks for sharing.

[@JebGardener]

thanks bob

[@shamareeb62]

Best video every lmfaoo 💯

[@JebGardener]

thanks!

[@ruthgunneson-poling1571]

Would it be easier to spray off the roots before you lift it? That way you're removing the weight of the dirt. Trash can on it's side is a genius move.

[@yomeyo6622]

Great tips! I had to remove one a few months ago... and I did NOT water it before... Now, I know! Thanks!

[@TamraKochie]

Lol. The lift. Cute

[@steph55988]

3:40 Hercules Hercules 💪👌👏👍🏋️

[@legslipsandlashes9831]

You're welcome, Owen.

[@lijamenethil]

If you have biomass like that, branches and other stuff, you can make hugelkultur. It takes a while to get it properly working, but you can use everything from it.

[@JebGardener]

i like the concept but I don't think my back yard is the place to try that

[@feyjafolkvangr9567]

Fantastic video! Love your little helper. One question, what is the make/model/brand of loppers did you use?

[@moragslothe6449]

At 1:06 you can see the word "TITAN" for a split-second. Not sure if that's a brand however. The color scheme looks like one of the Fiskars "powergear" series. Give that a try.

[@mark689]

what about using a hand power saw to cut around the base of the shrub? Also, I loved this video. Thank you.

[@lulur1149]

Great video

[@r0osboz1]

What was the purpose of wetting it before you dig? Wouldn't it be easier if the dirt was dry?

[@JebGardener]

It seems like when the dirt is dry the roots act like a kind of re-bar within concrete and it is extremely difficult to dig through. When the soil is wet you can pry the rootball against the soil with the shovel and break the roots. For thick roots I used pruning shears and then kept prying.

[@silliaek]

For a weakling like me, am I better off not wetting the roots so that the ball is not so heavy later when I try to yank it up?

[@DuhMasto]

The leverage you get with the shovel will -probably- be enough to get it uprooted, then what you can do if you're too worried about that is to blast all the dirt off and then roll it into the sun to dry. I don't know if that will be necessary, but if you really have trouble then maybe that would help.

[@youdleydoo]

Hi hedge in my front lawn is about 35x5 feet. Its absolutely dead, Heavily diseased and bone dry. What should i do with it. It is so dry that when i try to twost its branches it snap breaks like match sticks. And also can i cut it from the base of about 5-10 cm trunks rather than cutting braches/stems? I dont know if i should buy a chain saw tto make the upper job easier. Pleas help😥

[@tyliful]

Lots of work.

[@JebGardener]

+Tylor G Definitely. It was fun to get back into the garden though.

[@ntesla66]

I've done that... it makes you real careful about planting boxwood ...ever again. Three hedges just about that size... I hate box.

[@JebGardener]

yes i didnt plant them

[@Fly65Helos1]

As a new home owner and a tiny girl, after watching this, I’m rethinking my choice to buy a fixer upper with shrubs that need to be removed 😬

[@rivertam1000]

Just remember . .leverage!

[@ruthgunneson-poling1571]

You got this. I just bought my first home. Just me so I'm working on bushes and trees in my yard too. Ask a neighbor to help. If they do thank them with a plate of cookies.

[@TheBossMan1453]

A pickaxe, rake, and shovel are all you need for the stump

[@JennySimon206]

I just did that with a bale of wet peat moss from the wholesale compost place. Rolled it off into my wagon and it was so heavy it bounced the wheels & the whole thing jumped out. *

[@redcoat192]

Good video! I've got this unenviable task waiting for me! 😫

[@TheBossMan1453]

I recommend a pickaxe and rake if you have one

[@bobbotron8001]

Mine has roots the size of your forearms tho :(

[@lincolntrains2639]

I just grabbed a reciprocating saw and stuck that in the ground and all the roots got destroyed. Someone I knew also just hooked it up to his towbar and yanked it out.

[@JebGardener]

Yeah lots of options. Saw blade in soil sounds expensive

[@lincolntrains2639]

Not really the saw I borrowed from a friend and the blades (for 5) were only 13 pounds which is about $20 plus those blade remover a six foot high by about 20 foot long pricket hedge and it's roots.

[@foofstarr4856]

I did the same thing. Pruning blades for the sawzall are like 20 bucks for 5 blades they are long and i just went around in a circle made whatever cuts i can then with a shovel nudged around at the big ball of bazooka root and if needed more cute bam sawzall was there for the save then it all came out.

[@bzz5601]

Next time, use a winch! We've got a lot of property, and it really does the trick easily, when the ground is wet.

[@JebGardener]

Good idea but I don't have access to one. Digging em up was good exceeding too.

[@ctb2814]

Hey you're good, come do mine. I'll supervise.

[@linnysmiler5683]

Wow 😳

[@kerokero_furogu]

If you smack the stump with a shovel a few times, a lot of the dirt drops; that should take off some weight!

[@JebGardener]

good idea

[@skity1233]

Your lucky. All those small roots on yours are 4 inch thick logs on ours. There Very old bushes and we have 17 of them😭

[@ImzyImz]

One method I used was completely different and may work for some. - Cut the hedge branches to a similar size in the video - Loosend up the soil with a spear head spade in and around the hedge - water soil if too dry to help loosen. - here's the fun bit...get yourself a sledgehammer. Yes, a sledgehammer! - hammer of what's left of the hedge in left and right directions. This should really loosen it from its roots, but not break away. - pull out the hedge with your hands. wear gloves if need be. I removed close to 10 metres worth of hedge in just over an hour. Some were quite tricky to hit simply because of my brick wall.

[@rb7454]

Stop growing grass, grow food instead. Excellent plan to grow tomatoes 🍅 thank you! We are about to pull out our hedge

[@alexgezon1908]

You should have given away those boxwoods!

[@rokees5507]

I have a lot of them in my front yard 😭 I called someone to give me an estimate he said will be somewhere around $1000$ I don't know if it worth it but i know that I'm not going to pay for it, i don't mind pulling one every week 😅👌🏻

[@foofstarr4856]

Take a picture of them. Go on your local Craigslist, go to the labor and small gigs section. Post it for 5 dollars a post, with the pic, state what you need done. "need these bushes removed bring your own tools willing to pay 250 heres my number" And within 5 minutes of posting it you will receive over 20 texts and calls with people wanting to take the job. I then take down and delete the posting. And start returning calls and texts making sure "you are coming today at so so time with your own tools bla bla". I got so many jobs done like this at home. Your welcome.

[@christianpaul3303]

Knock all that dirt off the root ball - you won't get better aerated fine soil than that stuff. Plus you won't lose a spleen lifting it. :)

[@justalilcynical5558]

Got a job for ya!

[@JebGardener]

pays well?

[@justalilcynical5558]

@@JebGardener 😱Well let's just say if yours was 150 pounds this must be 400 easy. But she's going. What's your price?

[@kevinpersinger7957]

Common sense says "remove as much dirt as possible from root ball before trying to move it"

[@ItsJustMe0585]

Omg I cut down a bush that was 8' high and has a root ball about 3x the size of that. Hoped that I could find useful advice that was not just, "dig around, pull them up with brute force.". :( But that's all I see... I'm regretting my choices.

[@JebGardener]

well it's that or use machinery or fire or chemicals

[@TomPalissade]

I wouldn't have done that dude, this is boxwood, easy to cut very low to get the light you needed, it is very slow to regrow, you would have had plenty of time to let them grow back or cut them again.

[@JebGardener]

I grow tomatoes there now