Shrub removal

[lone wolf]

I got a call today from a business owner that wants a bid for next years lawn maintenance. But he also wants shrubs trimmed, no big deal. But he also wants 5 shrubs dug up and removed and replaced with something else. I have never dug up shrubs before, I heard from others that to do it right, they need to be dug out with a back hoe to get all the roots. I have a skidsteer and a front hoe attachment, so that is no big deal. The shrubs are about 3' - 5' in dia (the crown) and the base is smaller. Is this a no big deal project or is it a pain to do? I just don't want to bite off more than I can chew here.

[hockeypro1411]

you could knock that out in a day easily with a shovel. with a skid it will be a cake walk (assuming the shrubs are easily accessible). and obviously the trimming is just trimming, not that hard if you have the right tools.

[tamadrummer]

With only a shovel/ax/chainsaw and lots of fortitude, I pulled out an entire bed of Juniper and a 4 1/2' tall Sago that was let die for lack of Manganese. (So sad for such a nice palm) I did this in 1hour 50 minutes including clean up.

$200 for the work and $50 for the dump.

You don't need a stinking backhoe to dig out some bushes. Take the shrubs off at the crown and then dig out the root balls. Till the area and replace them with something great.

[ALC-GregH]

I removed 7 bushes at a customers home a few weeks ago. I priced it to the customer at $400 complete. Had it done in 5hrs. The only help I had was a shovel, rake and chainsaw.

[Whitey4]

Removals are relatively easy.... transplanting is a son of a beach!

[Grass Happens]

i would think fixing the damaged lawn from driving the skid steer on it would take longer to fix then tearing them out as said above...

[dura to the max]

should'nt take more than 2 hours w/ a shovel and pick axe after removing the crown of the plant to gain access to the root ball.

[Green Team Landscaping]

Take a rope, attach it to the hitch on one end, and attach the other end to the truck. Gun it, and there you go. it's out

[MnGreen]

Take a rope, attach it to the hitch on one end, and attach the other end to the truck. Gun it, and there you go. it's out

Watched my neighbor do something of the such over the weekend.

Comes outside with a earth auger ( made me think about ice fishing) drills three holes around each of the three shrubs he was going to remove.
Fills the holes with water and waters down the top soil good for about a hour.

Comes out around noon, hooks up a chain to his Truck and pulls them out effortless from the soft ground.
His wife was mad when she saw him gone fishing. (lol)
Thought she had him jailed for the day I guess with the job.

[white1]

Easiest way Ive found is to dig a small trench around the roots a few inches deep, use a cable with a loop on one end and make a snare then hook to the truck. The cable cuts the roots, so it can be transplanted if needed/wanted, also cuts the roots like butter so its easier on the grass, truck, etc.

[Runner]

I just wrap around the base of the shrubs, hook to truck or tractor. A few gentle tugs and it's out. The trick is - to not go far when it is out, so you can knock the dirt all off of it (them) and leave it in the bed or hole. If you are real careful with the skidsteer, it can be done. If there is any doubt, use mats or a truck if accessible. No digging necessary.

[PHS]

Be careful about ripping shrubs out of the ground with equipment. The potential for damage to underground utilities and other stuff is high. Not to mention if it's in the backyard or you don't have clear access to the area.

Most of the time, the easiest way to do it is too call a few days ahead to get the utilities marked. Rent a stump grinder for a half day on the way to the job and if you have a chainsaw you'll be outta there in a couple hours of easy work and you'll look like a professional doing it. Believe me, it doesn't take very big shrubs to make the job of digging them out by hand a lot more expensive than the rental fee.

If you're going to use a truck to pull them out, white1's idea sounds like the best approach because you're cutting roots instead of ripping them out.

[dura to the max]

Take a rope, attach it to the hitch on one end, and attach the other end to the truck. Gun it, and there you go. it's out

this cant be a good idea. this has been discussed in the past few months and imo and the opinion of several others, it was labeled "the most redneck thing ive ever heard". now dont get me wrong, im a diehard country boy but im a professional landscaper. customers dont want to pay professional prices to a redneck that climbs out of his monster truck w/ no exhaust to hook a chain to the rear bumper/shrub and holler out "gun it bertha!". my customers pay professional prices b/c i do work in a professional manner. im clean cut, dress accordingly, and do the work w/ the tools made for the job.

on top of that this method can also be very dangerous. my neighbor had a chain bust while pulling in a similar manner and miss coming through the rear window toward his head by about an inch. w/ that amount of tension if something snapped your truck, the building, or worse a bystander could be seriously hurt or killed.

be a professional and do it right and charge them for it, dont have a truck pull on their property and make a fool of yourself.

[Smallaxe]

Bid the shrubs for this year separate from next year's maintenance. Replanting is always best done in the fall and early spring is generally pretty busy.