We have an old and rather large rose bush in the back yard that needs to go. Because we have dogs, using chemicals is out of the question.

It’s right against a chain link fence and we really don’t want to take the fence apart.

Any ideas on an easier way to chop the roots out with besides a hatchet?

Fire. Kill it with fire.

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:
Fire. Kill it with fire.

Agreed.

I had one like that on the side of my house, up against the chain link fence. I had to trim it back as much as I could before wrapping a tow strap around it and slowly pulling it out with my truck. It didn’t effect the fence at all.

I'll just say that Roundup doesn't have any effect on mammals and should kill it plenty dead. I'd also bet that cutting it off at the ground and painting Vine-Ex on the stump would also kill it with less potential exposure to your animals. Excluding chemicals from your choices will equal a much greater amount of physical labor on your part to completely remove.

Pair of loppers to get it down to the base. Then yank it with a farm jack.

quote:

Originally posted by PeteF:
Pair of loppers to get it down to the base. Then yank it with a farm jack.

^^^^^ This method has worked for me to pull up old rose bushes, small cedar trees and various other aged out yard plants. I use a couple of 2X4 legs and a 5/8” bolt to make a tripod with the jack. A short piece of chain to wrap around the base of the plant, a little sweat effort and you will be surprised how good it works.