How do I get rid of this?

Nathaniel_Essex

Hi all, I recently cut down a butterfly bush but now I'm stuck digging the rest out. I tried to dig under it like I did with the rest of the shrubs but my spade just ended up bending. Any tips without calling a professional?

I_have_spoken

Buy a mattock

adonis

Dig a trench around it and cut through the roots.

coffeehound

Apodemus

I had one of these a few years ago. It was huge. I dug round it and under it and tried pulling it out by Land Rover, but it just kept resisting and coming back. In the end I used its spot in the garden as my Bon-fire location and that did the trick.

-taff

I second a mattock, used one to dig out a bush in the front garden. It was easier than yors will be though because I could access all sides.

Strider590

You could try the diesel fuel method, drill a hole into it, pour in some diesel and wait whilst it rots and softens enough to come out.
Never tried it myself, sounds a bit like an old wives tail, but an awful lot of people say it works.

PS decent spades don't bend, got myself a set of Spear & Jackson garden weapons from Screwfix 5+ years ago, more expensive than most people would be willing to pay (giving that you can get cheap ones for a fiver), but they're still going strong despite some serious abuse.

moneyistooshorttomention

There are more environmentally-friendly/acceptable methods of rotting a stump out there. Though I can't recall them now - Google will have them. I've certainly looked them up before - as I dont have the strength to dig out anything stubborn or intend to pay anyone (after the intial "get a 'professional' in to clear the garden in the first place with a machine for me).

With "milder" things than this I seem to recall getting them very very drenched/frequently and the wood rots much quicker and a plastic bag held in place over the top of it to keep the water in rotting it. Bit by bit I got the stuff out. It takes some weeks that way - but it worked for the stuff I was getting out myself.

Down to "chipping" and "chipping" at it bit by bit and having a bit more of a dig at the roots at intervals when the ground was sodden (ie it releases things a sight more easily then).

Davesnave

Cheap hardpoint saw from B&Q, (other rubbish DIY sheds open on a Sunday are available) saw through at 90 degrees further down, drill holes in stump, pour in neat glyphosate, cover with plastic bag and leave 3 months.

Or if you are a real man, what he said:

"Buy a mattock"

and get fit!:D

Hong_Kong_Phooey.

Farm jack will get it out.

d0nkeyk0ng

I've taken out bushes like this. I used a mattock to quickly remove soil and chop through the roots. Once you've done enough, you can rock the stump side to side so the small roots snap and the whole thing comes out.