How to remove tree roots where I want to plant shrubs? Is there a service or tool for making this chore easy?

Answer 1

My husband has put chains on them and dragged them out with his truck. We have also paid to have the stumps ground
out by a tree grinding service. Price varies with size of tree stump.

Answer 2

You can hire them "ground" out........if they can get the stumb grinder through your gates into the yard. Problem is they can only dig as far as 6-12 inches deep. Not deep enough to be putting in shrubs. Plus they don't usually follow a root out beyond the trunk perimeter. Since tree lateral roots are shallow, they will interefere with shrub planting.

Trenchers would be another thought. The bigger ones will go through a couple of inches thick root, but not the big laterals.
Same thing with Bobcat mounted augers......

What worries me more is the soil you'll be putting these shrubs into. The soil has been well harvested by the tree. You'll need to add organic enrichments as well as mineral enrichements.......compost and minerals/fertilizers. Also as any remaining roots rot, they will take away nutrients from the developing shrubs.

If you weren't in a hurry to replant with shrubs, I'd take 2 years and pile on the manure and add urea fertilizer, keep the area moist, turn the soil once in awhile to incorporate oxygen.......and let nature have a go at rooting the roots.

Answer 3

there is a new shovel out that makes hay out of tree roots. Check Leonards gardening supplies for the info

Answer 4

I just use a sharp hand axe

when digging, if I come upon a root......a few hacks and I'm good to go....

hacks right through the dirt.......

just clean good and oil when you're done....