The EASY Way to Remove a Bush Stump || Black Gumbo

If you have ever needed to make some bushes, shrubs or small trees disappear, the methods for extracting and removing the stump and roots are often labor-intensive. Rather than hand-digging and manual cutting, or pulling with a jack, engine lift or truck-and-chain, I'll show you how to use a reciprocating saw to get the job done quick. This was really easy, and made short work of the thick roots.

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Black Gumbo shares our suburban, backyard, sustainable gardening efforts. We work a small-scale, typical Zone 9a garden and raised beds, the kind of gardening accessible to all. We tend to take the slice of life approach and hope you will enjoy our family, our dog, our cooking, our adventures, and occasionally some commentary and advice. We love family, joy and friendship, and we invite you to enjoy these things with us!

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[graceland]

I used this very same system and took out 16 trunks. It works. 👍

[letitbee]

Thank you for sharing this tip!! I'm a 57 yo woman and I was able to remove the root balls from 4 boxwoods this morning in about an hour using your method. The boxwoods were about 20 years old so they were well established. I did have to get the shovel out and pry up from the bottom but it was very doable. I also used garden clippers to snip off the smaller running roots. I thought I was going to have to hire someone to do the job but thanks to you, I saved a bunch of money. Many, many thanks!!!

[randyrice]

I'm a 75 yo woman who used your method to remove rootball from 25 yo holly tree. Used two blades and very little digging. Gotta admit, it wore me out, but was so proud when it worked. Been wanting to get rid of that thing for several years. Thanks!

[glendapeters]

I'm almost 72 and asked for and received a battery Sawzall for Christmas. I've already taken it to some overgrown shrubs by the house trimming the thickest stems back. I'm going to now use it to cut some barberries out that I've wanted changed. Thanks for your video!

[Dee.C]

That down spout looks like a good place to put a rain catchment barrel . They are so easy to make, even I can do it LOL !
I love the great idea to make another place for some of the plants you have .

[theshiz]

Just recently used your technique on these bushes at my house, thank you. I’m a new home owner and am glad I get to learn to do things like this. I don’t have a truck but I had the tools, thanks for the video!

[lindabirkes-lance]

I cut down 3 overgrown bushes last year. I still have the stumps and roots to remove. I will give this a shot tomorrow morning. Thank you.

[laurenpaolini]

I saved this for my husband to watch, thinking it would be a great tip. He says "Oh, he's using my sawsall trick!" Lol
This definitely works!

[nodemever]

More than a few companies now make sawzall blades with carbide tipped teeth The blades are more expensive than regular blades but well worth the extra cost You can cut roots down in the dirt with ease and little if any noticeable wear on the teeth
I bought 2 a 6” and a 9” when they first went on the market and have cut 30 or more small stumps out with them and they are still going strong

[garythompson]

Greetings from England Scott, thanks for putting this up.

[PeterTea]

Thanks. After spending a few hours trying to dig up a bush stump with a shovel I figured there must be an easier way. Thank you and YouTube!

[marksautman]

I cannot thank you enough. I had to remove eight 10+' tall bushes that were 17 years old and had side roots up to 8" thick. While not easy, this was much easier than the alternatives. I am not much of a handy man, but I could do this. For those interested, I used a 12 amp corded DeWalt reciprocating saw with Milwaukee 9 in. 5 TPI AX Nail-Embedded Wood Cutting SAWZALL Reciprocating Saw Blades. I also used a 5" trenching shovel in between the inner and outer circles to allow me to better cut under the thick stump which was up to 2 feet across.

[mikeharrington]

The recip saw is great for tree/bush roots. Be prepared to use the spade to dig down 6 inches or more as you progressively expose all the roots to ensure there are no bricks/stones under them which will blunt the blade very quickly.

I find using a lump of candle wax to regularly lubricate the blade helps prevent the blade sticking. Also (particularly with small trees with roots 4-6inches thick) it's a good idea NOT to leave yourself with a stump but instead to leave a trunk at least 5-6 ft tall (trim off the side branches). This gives you great leverage on the roots as you progress & by wiggling/rocking the trunk it helps to locate the hidden roots. Even when you pull the trunk down 90 ° you may still need to cut thru more roots.

If you are working alone, don't overdo the heaving/straining because it can be very hard work requiring frequent rest breaks until you have severed all the roots. Approach the task in a steady methodical way so you don't cut into the wrong things or fall over your tools !

[DiggingForHealth]

Thanks for this video! My husband is going to remove a crape myrtle that's too close to our house and watching your video this morning motivated him to do it now, lol.

[stephenclarke]

I e been trying to just dig these out. Been on for hours on one of them and I have 7 to do. I will definitely e trying this method out later today

[uiagraphics-customprinting]

Thank for this idea. Another great method of shrubs removal and making someone's life easier. Awesome!

[atomicbd]

This video is just in time! I have been trying to get rid of an old knock-out rose so I can plant shade loving plants! Thanks Scott!

[billchesnut]

Yeah, Removed several bushes about 10 years ago the sawzall works great a long blade is the answer. I did have one bush "bush try to come back. I soaked it in water attached a pull rope and drug it out..Great video keep up the great work.

[hennatrue]

This video helped me so much! Thank you for explaining everything so well and naming the tool used!

[thavylor]

Thank you. I knew there would be an easy way to cut those roots than to clip and saw those stubborn massive 40 years old shrub roots. I am glad I google a way to do. I've been digging and snipping and clipping and saw them off by hand.