Prepare the Area
Before tackling the yew bushes, clear away any nearby plants, lawn decor, pathways or other landscaping you want to protect. Remove debris and tripping hazards from the area. Have your tools and protective gear ready.
Cut Down the Shrub
Using loppers or a chainsaw, cut the yew bushes down to stumps as close to ground level as possible Wear safety glasses, gloves, long sleeves and pants for protection from falling debris
Dig Around the Stumps
With a shovel or spade dig a trench around each stump going down at least 1 foot deep. Make the trench as wide as possible to expose the roots. Thoroughly water the soil the day before for easier digging.
Remove the Roots
Leverage the shovel or spade against the roots to loosen the stump. Use an axe or root saw to sever large roots For bigger stumps, you may need heavy machinery or a winch to pull them out completely
Apply Chemical Treatment (Optional)
For any remaining roots, apply a systemic herbicide like glyphosate to the freshly cut stump surface within 5 minutes to prevent regrowth. Carefully follow product instructions.
Dispose of Debris
Haul away the woody debris to prevent sprouting from discarded roots or stems. The removed stumps can be chopped for mulch or firewood.
Prepare the Planting Area
With the yew bushes gone, refill any holes and level the soil. You can plant new landscaping after a week or two. Adding compost enriches the soil.
Consult an Arborist
For large or challenging removals, consulting a certified arborist is advisable. They can assess the situation and provide guidance for safe, effective removal of mature yew shrubs.
With persistence and the proper tools, even decades-old yew bushes can be eliminated for landscape replacements. Just be sure to take precautions against flying debris and tripping hazards when tackling this difficult removal project.
Frequency of Entities:
yew bushes: 5
stumps: 3
roots: 3
shovel: 2
How to Remove Old Established Shrubs (Digging Out Well Anchored Plants)
FAQ
Do yew bushes have deep roots?
Are yews deep rooted?
Will a yew grow back from a stump?
How do you remove yew shrubs?
Cut away the shrubs using a chainsaw. Remove the debris using a brush shredder. A landscape contractor may come shred debris for a fee. Flush cut stumps and plant around them. All of the tools and safety equipment used in the yew shrub removal can be found at a home center.
How do you trim a yew tree?
The types of pruning cuts to use depend on the outcome you desire. To make a yew tree bushier and fuller, just clip off the outer growth. This heading cut stimulates new growth and makes the tree look rounder and fuller. Be careful not to trim the top of a yew until it has reached your preferred height plus a few inches.
How to prune a yew?
It’s better to keep cutting back yews gradually, year after year. That said, if your yews have been neglected, they probably have grown leggy. If you want to know how to prune an overgrown yew like this, it’s not hard. You can snip back branches to the woody areas. This type of hard pruning a yew is termed rejuvenation pruning.
Should you cut back yew bushes?
Instead, when you are pruning yew bushes, snip a little on all sides of each yew to keep it natural looking and healthy. If you shape your yews annually, you will never have to resort to hard pruning a yew. It’s better to keep cutting back yews gradually, year after year.