Dead plant removal in Exeter
Professional dead plant removal services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£110
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Dead or unwanted plants dug out completely - roots and all - and removed from your garden. Soil forked over and ready for whatever you want to plant next. Quick, tidy, no fuss.
Why Remove Dead Plants Properly?
Because half-arsed removal causes problems later.
If you just yank a dead plant out and leave the roots, you're asking for trouble. They rot underground, harbour pests, create air pockets in the soil, and sometimes even resprout if there's any life left in them.
Proper removal means digging the whole thing out, clearing the roots, and leaving you with clean soil ready for new planting.
Plus, let's be honest: dead plants look depressing. Getting rid of them instantly makes your garden feel better.
💡 Pro tip: If something's died, work out why before replanting the same spot. Poor drainage? Too much shade? Wrong soil? No point planting the same thing again if it's just going to die.
What Proper Removal Looks Like
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Quick Pull |
|---|---|
| Entire root system removed | Roots left rotting underground |
| Soil forked over and aerated | Compacted soil with gaps |
| Space ready for immediate replanting | Need to dig again before planting |
| Waste removed and disposed of | Dead plant dumped in a corner somewhere |
What Gets Done
🔧 The Removal Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assessment | How big? How deep are the roots? |
| Dig out | Plant removed completely, roots cleared |
| Soil prep | Fork over the area, break up compacted soil |
| Clean up | All waste removed, area tidied |
📦 You're Left With
- Dead plant completely gone (no trace)
- Clean soil ready for replanting
- Area looking tidy and fresh
- All green waste removed from site
Common Scenarios
Annual bedding that's finished? Quick job - shallow roots, lift and clear. Takes minutes.
Dead shrub that's been there years? Bigger job - established root system needs digging out. Takes longer but worth doing properly.
Perennial that's outgrown its space? Can be removed and potted up if you want to relocate it, or just dug out and disposed of if you're done with it.
Something that keeps dying in the same spot? I'll dig it out and flag the issue - probably drainage or wrong aspect. You can decide whether to amend soil or plant something more suitable.
Old roses/shrubs past their best? Need cutting back before digging to make removal manageable. Root ball can be substantial - proper job.
Pricing
| Job Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small plants (bedding, small perennials) | 1 hr | £60 |
| Medium shrubs or multiple plants | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
| Large established shrubs | 2-3 hrs | £110-£160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Big root systems or difficult access adds time.
Perfect For Your Garden If...
✅ Plants have died and look rubbish - instant improvement when they're gone
✅ You're redesigning a bed - clear out the old before planting the new
✅ Things are overgrown or in wrong places - remove and start fresh
✅ Garden's been neglected - clearing dead stuff is the first step
Why Choose Us for Dead plant removal in Exeter?
Plants dug out completely with roots
Soil improved and ready for replanting
All green waste removed and disposed of
Quick turnaround - garden looks instantly better
What to Expect
Step 1: Assess What Needs Removing
I look at what you want cleared, check root systems, estimate time honestly.
Step 2: Dig Out Properly
Cut back top growth if needed, then dig out root systems completely. Soil gets forked over to break up compaction.
Step 3: Clear & Tidy
All waste loaded into trailer/van and removed. Area swept clean, ready for you to replant or leave as is.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to remove plants yourself? Here's how:
🧰 What you need
- Spade (sharp one makes a difference)
- Garden fork
- Secateurs or loppers for cutting back first
- Gloves
- Wheelbarrow or tarp for waste
📐 Removal technique
- Cut back top growth - makes the plant easier to handle
- Dig around the root ball - circle of spade cuts about 30cm out
- Undercut the roots - get spade underneath and lever up
- Fork out remaining roots - get them all, don't leave stragglers
- Fork over the soil - break up compaction from digging
- Remove all waste - don't pile it in a corner hoping it'll disappear
🌱 Plant-specific tips
Bedding plants: Pull by hand or fork out - roots are shallow
Perennials: Dig round with spade, lift whole clump, shake off soil
Shrubs: Cut back first, then dig wide circle to get full root system
Small trees: Might need a mattock to chop through thick roots
Climbers: Untangle from supports first, then dig out roots
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not digging wide enough (leave half the roots behind)
- Pulling instead of digging (roots break off underground)
- Not removing all the roots (they resprout or rot)
- Leaving big air pockets in the soil
- Trying to remove massive plants without help
💡 Pro trick: For stubborn root systems, dig a trench around the plant first, then work inwards. Gives you better access to roots and leverage for lifting. Water the day before if soil's rock hard - makes digging much easier.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌿 Replanting immediately? If you know what's going in next, I can plant it for you while I'm there. Makes sense to do both jobs together - hole's already dug, soil's already prepared.
Old Exeter gardens often have tons of old roots underground from previous plantings. If I hit buried roots from ancient plants, I'll clear what I can but some might need leaving.
Timing considerations: Late autumn/winter is best for removing big shrubs - they're dormant and easier to shift. But dead plants can be removed any time - they're not coming back.
Composting dead plants: Only compost them if they died of old age/frost, not disease. Diseased plants go in general waste to avoid spreading problems.
Multiple plants to remove? Do them all at once - I'm already set up and it's more efficient than multiple visits.
Want the cleared space planted up with something new? I can do that too - just let me know what you're thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you just pull them out or dig them up properly?
Dig them out properly - roots and all. Just pulling them leaves root systems that can resprout or rot underground. I clear the whole lot so you're starting fresh. The soil gets forked over and you've got a proper blank canvas for replanting.
What if the roots are massive?
Then it takes longer - shrubs and small trees have serious root systems. I'll dig/cut them out completely, but big stuff needs more time. I'll give you an honest time estimate when I see what you've got.
What happens to the dead plants?
I take them away. Either to the tip or into my trailer for composting/green waste disposal. You don't have to deal with it - I remove everything.
Can you remove plants that aren't dead, just unwanted?
Yes - same service. If you've got healthy plants that you just don't like or that are in the wrong place, I'll dig them out. Though if they're salvageable, I can pot them up for you to give away or move elsewhere.
Will the space be ready to replant immediately?
Pretty much. I dig out the old plant, fork the soil over, remove any remaining roots. You might want to add compost before replanting but the space is clear and ready. I can spread compost too if you've got it.
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