Remove overgrown, dead, or unwanted bushes and shrubs with professional removal services from Greenlawn Inc. Serving Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County since 1986.
Fall through early spring (October-March) is optimal for bush removal in Columbia—ground is accessible, landscaping damage is minimal, and you can replant in spring. However, we remove bushes year-round when properties need immediate improvement!
Transform your Columbia landscape with professional bush removal
Call for FREE EstimateBush removal is one of the most dramatic and satisfying landscape improvements you can make to your Columbia or Howard County property. Overgrown, poorly located, or dying shrubs can dominate a landscape in all the wrong ways—blocking windows, hiding architectural features, creating dark spaces that feel oppressive, and making properties look dated and neglected. Removing problem bushes instantly opens up space, brings light back to your home, and creates opportunities for better landscape design.
At Greenlawn Inc, we've been removing bushes from Columbia properties since 1986. Over 39 years, we've removed thousands of overgrown foundation plantings, failed screening attempts, and landscape mistakes. We understand that bush removal is often the first step toward a landscape you actually love—whether that means starting fresh with new plantings, opening up views, reducing maintenance, or simply letting your home's architecture shine. We handle everything from single bush removal to complete landscape clearing.
Columbia and Ellicott City homeowners request bush removal for many reasons:
Professional bush removal from Greenlawn Inc is more than just cutting down shrubs. We provide complete removal including roots, stumps, and cleanup, leaving your Columbia property ready for its next chapter. Here's our proven process:
We visit your Columbia property to assess the bushes you want removed. We evaluate size, species, location, root systems, and proximity to structures or utilities. We identify potential challenges like underground utilities, irrigation systems, or nearby plantings you want preserved. We discuss your goals—are you replanting, expanding lawn, or leaving beds empty? We provide detailed written estimates breaking down removal, stump grinding, hauling, and any site restoration needed.
Before any digging, we call Miss Utility to mark underground utilities (electric, gas, water, cable, phone). This free service protects you and our crews from dangerous and expensive utility strikes. We also identify any irrigation lines, lighting cables, or other underground features that need protection. We place protective materials over lawn areas where equipment will travel to minimize turf damage.
We cut down the bush, working carefully near structures, windows, and other plants you want preserved. For smaller bushes, we can often dig out the entire root ball using shovels or spades. For larger shrubs, we use specialized equipment—mini excavators for big jobs, mattocks and pry bars for moderate-sized shrubs. Complete root removal prevents regrowth and creates clean beds for replanting. We dig deep enough to remove the majority of the root system, ensuring problems don't resurface.
For large bushes with substantial trunk bases, we grind stumps 6-8 inches below grade using commercial stump grinders. This removes visible stumps and allows lawn to grow over the area or new plantings to be installed. Stump grinding creates wood chips which we remove or spread as mulch depending on your preference. This step is critical for sites where you want lawn or new beds—leaving stumps creates mowing hazards and limits replanting options.
After removal, we backfill holes with topsoil and grade areas smooth. We restore lawn edges and bed lines as needed. All brush, wood, roots, and stumps are loaded and hauled away—nothing is left on your Columbia property. We blow off surrounding areas and leave the site clean and ready for the next step in your landscape plan. If you're replanting, we can handle that immediately or schedule it for optimal planting times.
Our bush removal expertise covers all common shrub types in Columbia landscapes:
Japanese yews and spreading yews are extremely common in older Howard County foundation plantings. These evergreens were often planted 3-4 feet from foundations and have grown 10-15 feet wide, completely hiding homes. Yews have dense, extensive root systems that require proper equipment for removal. We remove massive yews regularly, instantly transforming Columbia properties by revealing architecture that's been hidden for decades.
Spreading junipers, especially 'Pfitzer' and 'Sea Green' varieties, grow enormous in Howard County—often 10-15 feet across. These were popular in 1970s-80s landscaping but now overwhelm properties. Juniper removal requires careful root excavation as they develop deep taproots. The transformation after juniper removal is dramatic—properties immediately look more open and modern.
Boxwood blight and other diseases have killed many boxwood plantings in Columbia and Ellicott City. Dead boxwood is a brown eyesore that needs prompt removal. We remove diseased boxwood completely, including roots and contaminated soil when necessary. If you want to replant boxwood, we can recommend resistant varieties and proper soil preparation.
Arborvitae planted for privacy often suffer winter browning, bagworm damage, or die from root diseases. Dead or mostly-dead arborvitae hedges need complete removal. These can be substantial—plants 15-20 feet tall with large root systems. We have equipment to handle these efficiently, removing entire hedge lines in a day or two.
Many "bush removal" jobs involve volunteer trees—maples, ailanthus, mulberry, or other trees that sprouted in shrub beds and have grown into substantial woody plants. These require cutting and stump grinding for permanent removal. We also remove invasive shrubs like burning bush, barberry, and multiflora rose that spread into Columbia properties.
We remove all shrub species—hollies, azaleas, rhododendrons, lilacs, forsythia, spirea, hydrangeas, burning bush, and everything else. Some homeowners want to start completely fresh; others want selective removal to open up space while preserving favorite plants. We handle projects of any scope.
Bush removal costs vary based on multiple factors. Understanding what affects pricing helps you plan your Columbia landscape project:
Small bushes (under 4 feet) are quickest and least expensive to remove—often $50-150 per plant. Medium shrubs (4-8 feet) typically cost $150-400 each. Large, mature shrubs (8-15+ feet) can run $400-1000+ per plant depending on species and root system. Multiple bushes are more economical per plant due to efficiency—removing ten bushes costs significantly less per plant than removing one.
Some shrubs like yews, hollies, and junipers develop extensive, intertwined root systems that require substantial excavation time. Others like forsythia or spirea have simpler roots that pull out more easily. Root complexity significantly affects removal time and equipment needed.
Bushes near structures, fences, or other plantings require more careful work. Foundation plantings next to homes need hand digging near footings to avoid foundation damage. Tight spaces where equipment can't reach require more manual labor. Good access allows efficient equipment use and faster completion.
Stump grinding adds cost but is often worth it, especially if you're replanting or want lawn in the area. Grinding typically adds $75-300 per stump depending on size. For budget-conscious projects where stumps won't be visible (like in mulch beds), grinding may be optional.
All removal projects include hauling debris away. The volume of material affects disposal costs—massive old yews or entire hedge removals generate substantial debris requiring multiple dump runs. Our pricing includes all disposal, so there are no surprises.
Free estimates for Columbia & Howard County
Call Now for QuoteRemoving overgrown, dated bushes is one of the fastest ways to improve your property's appearance. Many Columbia homeowners are amazed at the transformation—suddenly you can see the house again, spaces feel open and inviting, and the property looks cared for. This is especially important if you're preparing to sell.
Oversized foundation plantings block substantial light from entering homes. After removal, interiors become noticeably brighter. Rooms that felt dark and cave-like suddenly have natural light. This improves quality of life and can reduce electric lighting needs.
Many Columbia homeowners remove high-maintenance shrubs to simplify landscape care. Replacing large, demanding shrubs with lawn, groundcovers, or lower-maintenance alternatives dramatically reduces trimming, pruning, and watering requirements. This is especially valuable for retirees or busy families.
Landscape design has evolved significantly since many Columbia properties were planted. The heavily planted, busy foundation beds of past decades look dated now. Removing excess plants and creating cleaner, simpler designs modernizes properties and appeals to contemporary tastes.
Overgrown bushes against homes trap moisture, hide damage, prevent maintenance access, and can harbor pests. Removing them allows you to inspect foundations, address any issues, and maintain proper clearance that protects your home.
Bush removal creates blank slates for improved landscape design. You can choose plants appropriate for your space, select varieties that match your maintenance preferences, and create functional, beautiful landscapes that enhance your lifestyle. Our plant installation services can help you start fresh with better choices.
We provide complete bush removal including roots and stumps—this is a full-service removal, not just cutting bushes at ground level. We excavate root systems, grind stumps below grade, backfill with topsoil, and restore the site. This prevents regrowth and leaves areas ready for replanting or lawn establishment. Some removal companies only cut bushes down and leave stumps and roots, which creates ongoing problems. Our complete removal ensures you won't have sprouts popping up or stumps interfering with future landscaping. The only exception is if you specifically request we leave roots or stumps to save money, which we can do if appropriate for your plans.
Fall through early spring (October through March) is generally optimal for bush removal in Howard County. During this period, ground is usually accessible but not frozen, plants are dormant so removal causes minimal landscape disruption, and you can replant in spring if desired. Fall removal is especially popular because it cleans up properties before winter and prepares sites for spring planting. However, we remove bushes year-round when needed. Summer removal is perfectly fine if you need immediate improvement—we just take extra care with surrounding plants and may recommend delaying replanting until fall. If you're preparing your Columbia home for sale or have other time constraints, we'll schedule removal whenever works best for your situation.
Our crews work carefully to minimize damage to areas you want preserved. We protect lawn areas where equipment travels using plywood or other protective materials. We hand-dig near plants you want to keep and work cautiously near structures. Some minor lawn disruption is inevitable with large bush removal— equipment leaves tracks and excavation disturbs soil. However, these impacts are temporary and easily repaired. We grade and seed disturbed areas as needed. Compared to the dramatic improvement of removing problem bushes, minor temporary lawn disruption is insignificant. Most Columbia homeowners feel the trade-off is absolutely worth it when they see the transformation.
Yes, foundation plantings are one of our most common removal projects. We work very carefully near foundations, using hand tools to excavate roots close to footings without causing damage. We're experienced with the challenges of foundation work—tight spaces, underground utilities, basement window wells, HVAC equipment, electrical meters, and hose bibs all require careful attention. After removal, we restore grade to slope away from foundations for proper drainage. Many Columbia and Ellicott City homes have overgrown foundation plantings that have been there since the houses were built 30-50 years ago. Removing them is transformative and we handle these projects routinely.
We haul away all brush, stumps, roots, and debris—nothing is left on your Columbia property. Material is taken to approved disposal facilities where it's processed appropriately. Wood and brush are typically chipped for mulch or composting; stumps may be ground further and used for various purposes. All hauling and disposal costs are included in our removal estimates, so you don't have separate fees to worry about. Some removal companies leave debris for homeowners to deal with or charge extra for hauling. We include complete cleanup and removal because we believe that's what professional service means.
Timing depends on season and your landscape plans. If we remove bushes in fall or early spring, replanting immediately is often ideal—these are optimal planting times in Howard County. If removal happens in summer, you might wait until fall for better planting conditions, or we can plant heat-tolerant choices and provide irrigation support. Many Columbia homeowners live with empty beds for a season to really think through what they want before replanting. There's no requirement to replant immediately. We can mulch beds nicely so they look maintained while you decide. When you're ready, our professional plant installation services ensure your new landscape is done right. We're happy to provide design consultation and help you choose better plants than what was removed.
Transform your Columbia or Howard County property by removing overgrown, dead, or unwanted bushes. Greenlawn Inc has been providing professional bush removal services since 1986, and we have the equipment, experience, and expertise to handle removal projects of any size. Whether you want to remove a single overgrown yew or clear an entire property of dated foundation plantings, we deliver clean, professional results.
Our complete removal service includes excavation, stump grinding, hauling, cleanup, and site restoration— everything you need for a fresh start. We work carefully to protect your property and leave sites ready for whatever comes next in your landscape journey. Many clients combine bush removal with our garden bed installation and plant installation services for complete landscape transformations.
Professional removal creates opportunities for better landscapes
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Trusted by Howard County families since 1986
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