Do you have an unwiedly bush you want gone? Is there a small tree that's unseemly and becoming an eyesore? This is a quick guide that will explain the easiest way to remove these unwanted features in your yard.

The Chain Method

Note that this will not work for trees, only bushes. This is generally used for medium sized bushes about the height of an adult human. An excavator is used by the operator in conjunction with a steel chain. Make sure the chain is rated for at least a few thousand pounds and at least 6 ft long, just to be safe. While the bush won't weigh anything near that, the force needed to pull it out can reach high levels depending on how developed the root structure is and the state of the soil.

You start by wrapping a chain around the base of the bush as much as possible. Many chains often have a hook that can be used on each end as well.

On the other end of the chain, you will hook or wrap it onto one of the many holes available on an excavator's arm or bucket. The further along the arm, the better. Make sure both ends are securely attached.

Then stand back and let the excavator pull the bush out of the ground via chain. Pull up, not sideways. You don't want the chain to slip or break, obviously due to the tremendous amount of forces involved. You also don't want the bush to suddenly fly towards you as it's released from the ground.

Dig Them Out

The other easy way is to simply dig it out with the smaller diggin bucket. It's the one with the teeth. Most root balls are within 3 ft of the surface. Simply dig until the majority of the root ball is in your bucket. You can remove most of the plant that way in a few digs. This method works for trees and bushes. The only downsied is that it's more invasive than the chain method as you will be tearing up all of the ground within 3-15 ft radius of the plant you're removing.

Cost

The cost to rent and have the machine delivered is going to be $400-500 minimum with delivery fees dependent on your distance from the rental company. Generally speaking it's $100 per hour for delivery. Rental is around $250-300 per day.

The cost to dispose of the bushes and trees is going to be about $20 per cubic yard. Bin rental starts at around $150 and does not include disposal. In total you'd be looking at $600-700 per day.

It is strongly recommended that you do not try to save a few dollars by doing this by hand. Root balls are very tough to remove and you don't want to break your back nor miss getting all of it as it could grow back.

If you choose to hire a professional bush and tree removal service, you're looking at $1000 a day minimums that would include all the logistics of getting the machine to you, doing the work, and removing everything at the end.

Conclusion

The above methods are the two most effective and easiest by far ways to remove unwanted small trees, bushes, shrubs and other plants from your landscape. Hopefully this guide will help save some backs and unnecessary shovel work.