How big are they? I wouldn't cut the lines.

Is there a reason that the underground part must be removed? Can you cut the top off at ground level and then do your next planting around them? Since they are already dead, they won't resprout.

Pictures would be helpful. Don't cut water line.

lots of hard work ...

you are wanting to make it a tool deal .. it usually isnt .... it always devolves to lot of hard work ...

sharpen a shovel .. and buy a tree blade for the sawzall .... and get to work ... i would leave a foot or two of trunk ... so that as i severed roots.. i could use the trunk to wiggle it around.. to find the next root to cut ...

the help of a couple buff teens can really help ...

insure there are no utilities around..

when i moved to 5 acres.. i also learned to just cut flush to the ground .. and spend my energy digging holes .. planting in between them .. as those plants grow ... the old stumps disappear ....

ken

thats funny sara ... lol .. ken

I thought I would come back and update on the progress. This was actually much much easier then I thought it would be. I used the chainsaw to cut a path into the "root head" and then using a hand sledge hammer hit it around. This loosened the root ball. After that some back and forth pulling on it and it just came out of the ground.

I have half of it done now. WOW I am looking at about 2x 16 foot flatbeds worth of dead plants here when I finish. Some things I found out while doing this.

• As soon as I removed the first large bed of it, the second bed started to perk up. In a 1 week period. Pretty Odd.
• The plants all have some white fungus growing right around the roots where they go into the ground. I guess this happened when they got flooded and died? This white fungus appears to be what is making the removal easy for me.
• I have massive root complexes that are left now. I do not plan on removing these as they may compromise a retaining wall. I am just going to plant the new stuff in around them
• Its actually a bit easier to get the most of the plant out while the soil is a bit moist.

Here are some photos of it half done.

It "fluffed out" once I removed it

Notice how the second half started to perk up, Guh. Its still going.

The white fungus?

The second half is about this healthy thoughout. Its going also. Has the same white fungus or whatever at the base of all the plants.

Anyone know what that white fungus is?

DONE! about 3-4 hours later I got the second patch removed. Whew

I found it helpful to use a large cutter mattock that I sharpened to hack into it. Now to plant something much much better!

Great work.

Over the years Rosemarys drop lots and lots of tiny foliage which decomposes beautifully and enriches the soil--they have their virtues. Now onto something else--enjoy!

Wow!

I thought I would come back and update on the progress.

==>>> i appreciate such ....

As soon as I removed the first large bed of it, the second bed started to perk up. In a 1 week period. Pretty Odd.

===>>>> keep working .. once plants get too old .. its just one thing after another.. and well you are there .. just get it done ...

ken

That white fungus looks like a surface mold caused by being wet, dark, and limited air circulation. It had nothing to do with your Rosemary looking bad. Despite all the rain you had it looks like they had good drainage, unless the wall is impervious. It sure is straight though!

Maybe your plants were just getting old. I don't think they live very long.

Mike