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We planted a holly bush a few years back at the side of the house and didnt realise how big these things grew. Its not about 12' high and the roots are damaging a fence. Im a bit worried what the roots could be doing to the foundations of the house or the drains so with regret we need to get rid of it. Has any one got any tips on killing it off? I can cut it down but really want to get rid of the roots though.

Oh and i promise to plant something else but further away from the house.

thanks

[Roll Roll]

  I've always treaded Holly as a tree.

When does a bush become a tree?

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I've always treaded Holly as a tree.

When does a bush become a tree?

not sure really im sure when we bought it it was labelled as a holly bush but now its 12' high it probably is a tree 

[DD.]

I've always treaded Holly as a tree.

Doesn't that hurt your feet?

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[celjaci]

Easiest way to get the root out is to cut the top off the tree and the lower branches lesving 4-6 ft of trunk to swing on then dig round and under the base exposing the main roots. There will probably only be 3 or 4 of these, cut through with a saw then pull on the trunk - should keel over - very satisfying. This may expose the last root going straight down, cut through  and the whole lot will come out.
Alternatively try a winch!

[sunshineband]

Easiest way to get the root out is to cut the top off the tree and the lower branches lesving 4-6 ft of trunk to swing on then dig round and under the base exposing the main roots. There will probably only be 3 or 4 of these, cut through with a saw then pull on the trunk - should keel over - very satisfying. This may expose the last root going straight down, cut through  and the whole lot will come out.
Alternatively try a winch!

This is what we did when we needed to remove a holly tree to put in footings for our extension, as is was going to be about a metre away from the finished building.
1. Cut it down
2. Sawed off the trunk to within a few inches of the ground
3. Drilled holes all over the cut surface
4. Put stump killer in the holes as this will stop it shottign again
5. Plant another one somewhere else (like you said  )

Things to avoid are
1. Trying to cut it with an axe - holly wood is extremely hard  and my son actually broke an axe shatf (new, sharp axe ) trying to do this
2. Anything that might further affect your foundations etc like trying to yank out the underground roots-- removing a sycamore 'sapling'  a few years back broke some of our drain pipes under the ground, as they were old clay pipes. Caused all sorts of problems 

Hope all that helps. Good luck 

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thanks for the replies

i cut off all the branches yesterday and cut the main stump down to about 5' high so i can now go with either option of the above.

@sunshineband how long did the stumpkiller take to work please.

[sunshineband]

It' a strong systemic weedkiller basically. We had a couple of feebel looking yellowy shotts about two inches long spring up on the trunk -- we should have cut it flat to the ground really to start with but I just pulled those off and there were no more.

It travels down the trunk and into the roots and kills those too, without any disturbnace of the surrounding area. There are a few brands available to I would google stumpkiller and see which one is cheapest ( we bought Round Up Stump Killer in B&Q)
Hope that helps 

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helps a lot sunshineband, thanks very much.

[sunshineband]

You're welcome 

[Roll Roll]

I've always treaded Holly as a tree.

Doesn't that hurt your feet?

 :blink: Oh, Skool waz neva my fing.