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digging out roots of established shrubs and small a tree

REMF33

REMF33 Posts: 731

September 2020 in Tools and techniques

Can anyone recommend the best tool for this (other than a hired person...). I was looking at this on amazon but... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000C750CE/?coliid=IUHV3C5H0MNYP&colid=37K87CISBY1LG&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Well, I don't really trust amazon or their reviews anymore. And maybe it's not the best tool for the job even if it's very good.

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Posts

amancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736

September 2020

Probably better off with a mattock, something like this: https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Mattock-with-Fibreglass-Handle/p/501003

To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
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SydRoy Posts: 167

September 2020 edited September 2020

A mattock certainly, that and a trench spade perhaps?

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BobTheGardener Posts: 11,385

September 2020 edited September 2020

I'd also recommend a mattock as the 'go to' tool for that type of work and would start with getting yourself one of those. I use this one:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/roughneck-5lb-mattock-36/85777
in combination with a decent fork, spade, hand axe and pruning saw, you will have the full 'Borg' set!
For small tree and shrub roots, resistance is futile!

A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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BenCotto Posts: 4,718

September 2020

There’s a discussion about mattocks here

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1039405/can-anyone-recommend-a-pick-axe-mattock#latest

Rutland, England
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REMF33 Posts: 731

September 2020

I have a mattock. (Spade, fork - although whether decent or not, I don't know.)

@BobTheGardener

Will add hand axe to shopping list, and eye up trench spades. One of them is pretty big..

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amancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736

September 2020

Good luck

To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
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REMF33 Posts: 731

September 2020

@amancalledgeorge thank you!

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purplerallim Posts: 5,287

September 2020

I would rent a pick axe too, as you will only need it the once, but a tree will be more than a weekend job ours took three to get out.

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REMF33 Posts: 731

October 2020

Just shrubs, not trees. But a few of them.

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shane.farrell Posts: 207

January 2021

I bought one of these to remove two large Forsythia. Not used it yet but it's impressive and looks like it will do the job.
https://hurst-iw.co.uk/products/spear-jackson-2422nb-neverbend-root-breaker?variant=23255351942&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh8Wq4du67gIVS_BRCh2e3wT_EAQYAiABEgKg0_D_BwE

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