Removing a Bush

Iplayfarmer · Jul 28, 2005

I finally got my tractor back from my Dad's house. By the looks of his corral and garden, I think he made good use of it the whole time it was there.

Now that I have the tractor again, I'm back to thinking of all the messes I can make and the things I need (want) to do.

I have two lilac bushes in the front yard that probably looked pretty good when they were younger/smaller. Now they are both too big, and I want to remove one. Not only will this look better, but it will make it easier to mow between the bush and the fence too.

I have a small Iseki TX1500, so I can get into some pretty tight spaces. I just don't have a lot of power. I've got a front end loader and a tiller, but no backhoe.

I know that I could do the shovel/axe/crowbar method and get the bush out eventually, but that takes all the fun out of having a tractor. What advice can you give to dig up a bush with a FEL?

bczoom · Jul 28, 2005

IPlay,

I've done similar and here's what I do.

First, drive right up to it and push with the bucket. Lots of small trees and bushes will pop right out. (feels real good when it does). I've taken out 20' tall, 8" diameter trees on first push using a 23hp tractor.

OK, if that didn't work...

Optional step but handy is to use a chainsaw or whatever and trim off the branches near the bottom (4' or so) of the bush. This will make the trunk more visible and provide easier access.

Using your FEL, dig around the perimeter of the bush, breaking the roots as you go.

Every once in awhile, with your FEL bucket flat and as high as you and the tree are comfortable (you're safe and the bush isn't bending over), use the front edge of the bucket and push on the bush.

If it comes out, you're good to go, haul away. If not, repeat the dig with FEL then try pushing again until it does come out.

Brian

Nasty135 · Jul 28, 2005

Playfarmer, Do you have a toothbar? If so I have been succesful by running it into the ground about a foot from the bush a driving under the bush (I moved two lilacs last year this way) ...A toothbar isn't absolutely necessary but did make it pretty easy,also if the ground isn't rock hard it really helps ... maybe wait til after a good rain to soften up the soil a little ...this will help alot /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

RedRocker · Jul 28, 2005

I wouldn't ask John Kerry, he didn't have any luck. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Sorry, just couldn't help myself.

Farwell · Jul 28, 2005

If I can't get a bush with the first couple of tries with my FEL I go get a chain, wrap it around the bush base in a manner that will hold tight and pull it out. Less ground repair work than digging it out.
Wish we lived close, I would love to have a few more lilac bushes, they take so long to grow here in Michigan.
Fawell

Nasty135 · Jul 28, 2005

Red, That was a good'n /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Farewell , About tearing up the ground boy aint that the truth! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
A little hard on the bush though...ripping it out by the base you might just being saying farewell to the bush... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

DmansPadge · Jul 28, 2005

( I wouldn't ask John Kerry, he didn't have any luck. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Sorry, just couldn't help myself. )

Hahahaha! Very nice! Hahahaha! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

AndyM · Jul 28, 2005

I'm not going to remove a Bush... he does all my yardwork... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Iplayfarmer · Jul 29, 2005

I wouldn't ask John Kerry, he didn't have any luck.


Great one...Hillarous! I am laughing so hard I can't type.

There's a pretty staunch democrat who lives accross the street from me. I'll have to ask him if he can dig up some old National Guard records and try again to replace a Bush with two Johns.

Iplayfarmer · Jul 29, 2005

Nasty, I don't have a tooth bar. Just a simple bucket.

Farwell, Not a bad idea about just pulling the bush out. It really is too bad that there's no way to get the bush to you. It's not a bad looking lilac, but it just doesn't fit in my landscape anywhere. You did give me the idea, though, to maybe look around here and see if someone wants an 8 foot lilac.

One question about the chain method... With the chain on the base of the bush, would you try to pull it to the side (i.e. drive the tractor) or would you try to pull it straight up (i.e. hook to the FEL and raise the bucket)?