Lovely as they may be, mature holly bushes can sometimes outlive their welcome in a landscape With their prickly leaves and dense growth habit, removing overgrown hollies is no easy task But with the right approach, you can successfully get rid of holly bushes for good.
Why Remove Holly Bushes?
There are several reasons you may want to eliminate holly bushes
- They’ve grown too large or unruly for the space.
- Falling berries create a mess.
- Sharp leaves make areas unsafe for kids or pets.
- You want to reclaim the space for other plantings.
- An expanding holly is encroaching on your home.
- You’re tired of constant pruning and maintenance.
While hollies serve ecological benefits like shelter for birds, if your bushes have become more trouble than they’re worth, removal may be your best option
Challenges of Removing Holly Bushes
Completely removing mature holly bushes poses some unique challenges:
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Extensive root systems – Hollies develop deep, spreading root systems that probe densely into the surrounding soil.
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Vigorous regrowth – Even tiny root fragments left behind can regenerate into new holly shoots.
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Sharp branches – Hollies feature stiff, spiny evergreen foliage. Maneuvering around prickly branches makes removal laborious.
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Year-round foliage – Since hollies maintain their leaves year-round, heavy protective clothing is a must when tackling removal.
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Sheer size – Large holly shrubs can grow 12 feet tall and wide. Removing substantial, mature specimens takes hard work.
Effective Holly Bush Removal Methods
With persistence and diligence, you can conquer unwanted holly bushes. Here are proven techniques:
Remove the Above-Ground Growth
Start by removing all visible above-ground growth:
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Wear thick gloves, long sleeves, pants, and eye protection. Holly prickles can cause injury.
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Cut the main stems as close to the ground as possible using loppers or a saw.
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Chip up the branches or dispose of the debris as regulations allow.
Leverage Chemicals
Herbicides help kill the remaining roots after initial cutting:
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Stump killer chemicals like triclopyr and glyphosate are effective when applied to fresh cut stumps.
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Follow label directions and local regulations when using herbicide. Avoid runoff into desired plantings.
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Drilling holes in the stump allows better chemical penetration.
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For larger stumps, you can also frill or girdle the bark and apply herbicide into cuts.
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Be patient. It may take weeks or months for the chemicals to fully kill the roots. Monitor for and remove any regrowth.
Manual Extraction of Roots
For permanent removal, extracting the root system is ideal but labor-intensive:
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Dig out a wide circumference around hollies, at least 2 feet from the stump.
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Sever roots with an axe or saw, working inward towards the main stump.
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Leverage tools like pry bars to wrestle out as much of the root system as possible.
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Remove all root segments, even tiny ones, to prevent resprouting.
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Refill the holes and tamp down the soil once finished.
Grinding Down Stumps
You can also consider grinding the stump down below ground level using a stump grinder. However, roots left behind may still regenerate new growth. Follow up with chemicals or root removal for best effect.
What to Expect After Removal
Once you’ve eliminated visible growth, here’s what you can expect:
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Plan on monitoring the area closely for at least a year after removal, digging out any new sprouts.
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Be prepared for new shoots to emerge from stray roots. Repeated removal prevents them from maturing.
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Avoid replanting immediately so you can easily spot and eliminate regrowth. Wait at least a season before adding new plants.
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Gradually the remaining roots will decompose and your removal efforts will pay off.
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Adding organic material like compost can help improve soil health in former holly root zones.
With persistence, you can reclaim your landscape from overgrown holly bushes. Just be ready for an ongoing process requiring patience and diligence. The satisfaction of a holly-free garden makes it worthwhile!
How To Get Rid Of Invasive English Holly
Cut it down to ground level with a handsaw, large loppers or chainsaw. Holly will grow back from its roots after being cut down, so this is an important first step.
Be careful of spreading cuttings
Do not leave cuttings of holly on the ground. The cuttings will take root and sprout a new plant. It is important to take the plant to a place where it can be thrown away or put it in a plastic bag so that it doesn’t spread further.
Cut the holly to ground level. If the area is flat enough to mow this is an effective method. Holly grows very quickly, so the area will need to be mowed once a week for this to work.
Be sure to read and follow all the instructions on your herbicide label. It is best to have a licensed professional apply herbicide. Natural methods such as vinegar will not kill holly. The only effective holly killer is herbicide. Herbicide can be applied after the holly is cut to ground level and new growth appears.
Cut the holly to ground level. Cover the area in an opaque tarp or sheet of plastic. It is very important no light can pass through the covering. This will stop the holly from making food through photosynthesis, and after at least a year of being covered, the plants and roots will die.
Holly is an ornamental and invasive plant widespread on Vancouver island. Holly grows into a bush or tree and creates clusters of berries that contain thousands of seeds. Holly does well both in cities and in forests, where it grows in thick stands that block out native plants.
How to remove holly bush and roots
FAQ
How hard is it to remove holly bushes?
What can I use to kill holly bushes?
Will vinegar kill holly bushes?
Will RoundUp kill holly shrubs?
How do you kill holly bushes?
Driving a copper spike into the middle of the stump seems like a quick fix; however, the amount of copper actually needed to hurt and kill an aggressive bush such as holly is not possible to achieve using small copper stakes. The best way to kill holly bushes is to physically remove them.
How long after killing a Holly Bush can you remove it?
Waiting a few months after killing the holly bush will help the root system break down, making it easier to remove. To help speed up the process, you can use a shovel to loosen the soil around the bush and help break down the root system.
How do you remove a holly bush?
Smaller holly growths can be hand plucked, but larger ones may need more physical effort. To make the removal and digging process easier, water the ground around the bush. Water the ground for a few days before actually removing the plant. Keeping the ground moist will help soften the soil and make digging much easier.
Are holly bushes hard to remove?
Holly bushes are notoriously difficult to remove. If you leave even a piece of a root in the ground, it may re-sprout and soon you’ll have new holly bushes and potentially even more growth in different places than you started with.
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