Cutting through tree roots

[skyclaw441]

As you know, I'm building an underground bunker, using an open-hole method, and my only available site is in between a grove of large spruce trees and a cornfield, in a narrow patch of land about 15x5' (=75 sq ft to work with on the surface), thus, root removal is an issue throughout the digging process. How can I possibly cut through the roots besides breaking the little ones with a shovel and the bigger ones with loppers?

[Struwwelpeter]

Flash powder pipe bomb inserted deeply in to the soil.

[InspiredByMe]

Manganese heptoxide destroys all organic materials...if not that some HE will do wonders. Also flamethrowers.

[Hyper-dimension]

A mattock is the tool you want:

http://www.easydigging.com/Garden_Tool/pick_mattock.html

Or a digging bar, one of the greatest hand tools ever:

http://www.acehardware.com/sm-collins-axe-tamper-digging-bar-db16--pi-1274440.html

I'd recommend the digging bar, as it's weight(16-17 lbs.) delivers a ton of force. I've used one on plenty of roots. About $35.

[Dread_Lord]

A mattock for root removal? No. You want a Pulaski for that.
http://www.state.sc.us/forest/pulaski.jpg


Don't worry about the roots spruce aren't really deep rooters. They root outward along the surface. So just hack the hell out of them with an axe and you'll be past them in no time.

[nuclearrabbit]

I chopped through some huge friggin' roots with my shovel when I was making my garden. Though I'm sure explosives would make it a lot easier. As with everything in life.

[Dread_Lord]

Explosives for tree roots?
:facepalm:

[Virus]

Flash powder pipe bomb inserted deeply in to the soil.

What an idiot. If you were going to use explosives, It'd be better to go with ANFO.

OP, It's best no to mess with tree roots, you're running the risk of killing a 50+year old tree. I'd recommend digging in somewhere else.

If you are desperate, get a stump grinder, axe, and a maul.

[nuclearrabbit]

Explosives for tree roots?
:facepalm:

Explosives for breakfast? NOT EXPLOSIVES, CYCLOTRIMETHYLENETRINITRAMINE CEREAL!

[Hyper-dimension]

A mattock for root removal? No. You want a Pulaski for that.
http://www.state.sc.us/forest/pulaski.jpg


Don't worry about the roots spruce aren't really deep rooters. They root outward along the surface. So just hack the hell out of them with an axe and you'll be past them in no time.


I want one. :)

The digging bar is still a good tool to have anyways, but this looks beast.

[Craigslist.org]

Prepare for a lot of hard work. You should use explosive imho.

[Virus]

To people recommending explosives:

Out of sheer wonder, do you even know how to plant charges let alone design a shaped charge that will cut through the material?

How about optimal standoff distance?

There are reasons why explosives aren't commonly used to remove tree roots.

I wouldn't recommend messing with the roots out of killing trees that take half a century to grow.

Back when I was trailer trash, we used to drill 3/4 in. holes into a stump. About 10 or so. We would then soak the stump with kerosene and repeat a few times so the stump was saturated. We'd then light it and the stump would act like a wick. Eventually the entire stump would burn.

[skyclaw441]

But I really don't see a problem with cutting a few roots that aren't that large. I don't know how many roots I'll get when I dig further down (just gotten to shallow roots of small trees I'm cutting down before my shovel broke).

[MLoR]

For shit like that, normally I use a Partner K-12 saw. Easy to use, easy to maintain, and offers unmatched cutting power against anything you'd come across.

[Craigslist.org]

Semtex and det cord. :cool:

[MunkeyQ]

For shit like that, normally I use a Partner K-12 saw. Easy to use, easy to maintain, and offers unmatched cutting power against anything you'd come across.
If you're going to use a chainsaw, jet wash the root first and dig a large space all around it. Otherwise, the grit will blunt the chain unbelieveably fast and damage the bushing in the chain.

[nuclearrabbit]

To people recommending explosives:

Out of sheer wonder, do you even know how to plant charges let alone design a shaped charge that will cut through the material?

How about optimal standoff distance?

There are reasons why explosives aren't commonly used to remove tree roots.

I wouldn't recommend messing with the roots out of killing trees that take half a century to grow.

Back when I was trailer trash, we used to drill 3/4 in. holes into a stump. About 10 or so. We would then soak the stump with kerosene and repeat a few times so the stump was saturated. We'd then light it and the stump would act like a wick. Eventually the entire stump would burn.

I certainly never went through a fucking year of EOD training. Never went to range 52W and made improvised shaped charges either. :rolleyes:

M1 dynamite and ANFO are very commonly used to remove trees and shit.

[Alamo]

shovel and a saw, the OG way lol.

[MLoR]

If you're going to use a chainsaw, jet wash the root first and dig a large space all around it. Otherwise, the grit will blunt the chain unbelieveably fast and damage the bushing in the chain.


....A K-12 isn't a chainsaw, that's the K960. And as far as a root and some dirt/grit dulling the blade? We use it on a regular basis on roofs, metal garage doors, cars, joists/studs, and more, all with one blade, and that fucker stays sharp for a damn long time. It's designed for that type of use.

[Christ puncher]

A K-12 is a faggots way of naming a demo saw. And they arent any good for fucking tree roots, sure it will work but not nearly as good as any chainsaw. And to answer the OP, get a fucking hacksaw or a chainsaw.

[Duelist]

use a shotgun

[MunkeyQ]

....A K-12 isn't a chainsaw, that's the K960. And as far as a root and some dirt/grit dulling the blade? We use it on a regular basis on roofs, metal garage doors, cars, joists/studs, and more, all with one blade, and that fucker stays sharp for a damn long time. It's designed for that type of use.
Ah, my bad - I thought it was. :D That beast is definetely designed for that sort of thing compared to a chainsaw.

In my experience a chainsaw is very effective on roots as long as it's clean.

[RobinHood]

I had to remove two very large bushes in front of my house...I used a circular saw with a carbide tip blade and a sawzall with a black &decker blade[ THE UGLY]..I found it to be easier than swinging an axe..

[mr.blunt]

A mattock for root removal? No. You want a Pulaski for that.
http://www.state.sc.us/forest/pulaski.jpg


Don't worry about the roots spruce aren't really deep rooters. They root outward along the surface. So just hack the hell out of them with an axe and you'll be past them in no time.

Hell yeah, Pulaskis are the fucking shit. I had to make tent beds for a provincial park, and we had to dig out so many roots it was fucking unbelievable, but the Pulaski murdered them all.

[1983]

A mattock for root removal? No. You want a Pulaski for that.
http://www.state.sc.us/forest/pulaski.jpg


Don't worry about the roots spruce aren't really deep rooters. They root outward along the surface. So just hack the hell out of them with an axe and you'll be past them in no time.

I have a mattock and I find the metal on the small axe like thing on the back hasn't been hardened enough.

What are the Pulaskis like? Do they keep an edge for a while or grind down fast?

Al

[Alamo]

The only thing is for tools wise unless your in a larger chamber swinging a "axe" like tool takes room unless your chopping with it and if you are just use a hatchet.

For small narrow tunnels : smaller chainsaw ms170 Stihl is a lightweight and smaller one, handsaw or a still blade hacksaw, hatchet/axe.

If you have a larger tunnel and don't have a chainsaw you could go for the axe/pickaxe ect method but usually a saw will do the job. When sawing make sure you put proper force because some saw teeth can work better pushed rather than pulled.

If you are not able to get any roots out with those tools then you probably aren't digging out roots and your tunneling under a bank to rob shineys FTW!

[Dread_Lord]

I have a mattock and I find the metal on the small axe like thing on the back hasn't been hardened enough.

What are the Pulaskis like? Do they keep an edge for a while or grind down fast?

Al

Well they're not technically used like axes. They're used for clearing brush stumps and roots and shit like that in wild land firefighting crews.
You use the axe to split and break apart larger pieces of ground level wood (stumps & roots) then you use the back end break it out. You also both sides to dig around stumps and shit as well.

The back end should be filed and kept sharp like any tool blade but it's sharpness isn't the key. You have to use the tool right for it to work well. That is, as I explained, use it in combination with the axe head.

As for their durability. Well I worked a Wild Land Firefighting team for the CDF for a couple years. I have never seen one break. Very good tools. They're not brittle at all. As for the details as to what kind of metal it was I have no clue. Filing it sharp was fairly easy though. It felt somewhat soft to be honest.
I should add, they're very good tools when they're bought from very good tool makers, as most tools are. :)

[Craigslist.org]

use a shotgun

With 3" rifled slugs. I chopped a small tree down with 6 of them.
But it may ricochet off a rock so idk if thats safe. :cool:
but fire seems to be the most straight forward simple solution as someone posted on here. You should try using the trees for something tho. When I was in elementary school we went on a weekend trip to native log houses and they taught us how they made canoes from tree trunks. They would cut them in half and burn the inside with coal hollowing the center. If you could make some wooden canoes out of the trees you could sell them and pay for more building material. You could also put an ad out on craigslist for someone with woodworking artistic skills and cut him in on the profits and sell the canoes for a hell of a lot more.;)

[Alamo]

If you could make some wooden canoes out of the trees you could sell them and pay for more building material. You could also put an ad out on craigslist for someone with woodworking artistic skills and cut him in on the profits and sell the canoes for a hell of a lot more.;)

Hehe yeahhhhhhh!!! <3 craigslist.

[Rodrat]

A mattock is the tool you want:

http://www.easydigging.com/Garden_Tool/pick_mattock.html

Or a digging bar, one of the greatest hand tools ever:

http://www.acehardware.com/sm-collins-axe-tamper-digging-bar-db16--pi-1274440.html

I'd recommend the digging bar, as it's weight(16-17 lbs.) delivers a ton of force. I've used one on plenty of roots. About $35.

me and my grandpa use a similar bar weighing about 20 pounds or so to cut stones cause the ground is so rocky here

im talking like table rocks
9 foot long fuckers some 3 foot thick just inches under the soil

[Dread_Lord]

me and my grandpa use a similar bar weighing about 20 pounds or so to cut stones cause the ground is so rocky here

im talking like table rocks
9 foot long fuckers some 3 foot thick just inches under the soil

Rocky soil is usually what digging bars are used in.

[Alamo]

me and my grandpa use a similar bar weighing about 20 pounds or so to cut stones cause the ground is so rocky here

im talking like table rocks
9 foot long fuckers some 3 foot thick just inches under the soil

breaking a 9x3 foot rock would suck indeed.

[Sentinel owl]

I'm disappointed at the number of bad responses here. You want to use a pickaxe or Pulaski, or a sawzall or circular saw if you go the power tool route (no pun intended...). Shotguns, fire, and explosives are a terrible idea, and will probably get the authorities involved.

Anyways, I highly approve of your project and wish you the best of luck. Usually, once you punch through the thickest of the roots, it gets much easier when you go deeper.

[acid_drop]

....I'd just use a fucking chainsaw. Handly little fuckers. uncover them for the most part, chain saw will make very very short work of them

[Dread_Lord]

A mattock is the tool you want:

http://www.easydigging.com/Garden_Tool/pick_mattock.html

Or a digging bar, one of the greatest hand tools ever:

http://www.acehardware.com/sm-collins-axe-tamper-digging-bar-db16--pi-1274440.html

I'd recommend the digging bar, as it's weight(16-17 lbs.) delivers a ton of force. I've used one on plenty of roots. About $35.

I take it back, that cutter mattock looks capable. I didn't see that at first. I can't speak on how well it works but from the description it would also do the job.

"A cutter mattock combines a
3" digging blade with a 2" wide
axe to chop roots and break
up tough soils.
This 3 lb forged steel tool is
made of high quality steel by
a world-class manufacturer in
Brazil.
The long 45" hardwood
handle is made in the USA."

[Vigilante]

I'd probably just use a hack saw with a good and sharp blade, for good size roots... Otherwise, I own a mattock and they are excellent tooks for ridding smaller roots.

[Craigslist.org]

Beavers.
http://www.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/CPS.OGZ17.211108171343.photo00.quicklook.default-163x245.jpg;)

[ytter_man]

Sawz-all, all the way. Dont bother with a hacksaw, they're not meant for cutting wood and will generally be a waste of time.

Chainsaws, as mentioned earlier, WILL become dull and get clogged quite easily unless you actually take time to clean the roots.

[Craigslist.org]

Sawz-all, all the way. Dont bother with a hacksaw, they're not meant for cutting wood and will generally be a waste of time.

Chainsaws, as mentioned earlier, WILL become dull and get clogged quite easily unless you actually take time to clean the roots.

Theyll also kick up stones and might snap from hitting a rock come loose and cut your face off.

[Generic Box Of Cookies]

Sawz-all, all the way. Dont bother with a hacksaw, they're not meant for cutting wood and will generally be a waste of time.

Chainsaws, as mentioned earlier, WILL become dull and get clogged quite easily unless you actually take time to clean the roots.


Aye aye, fucking sawzall. I was digging some postholes in an area with roots. The digging bar wasn't working. A fucking chainsaw would be too easy to hurt yourself with. I just ended up exposing the roots as best as possible, then cutting them out with a sawzall. If I had the stuff, I might've tried exposing the roots by filling the holes with water, and sucking the mud out with a pump. But I didn't have a pump. Er, a fucking pump, I mean.

My first consideration was some sort of thermite batch.

[bornkiller]

Chainsaws, as mentioned earlier, WILL become dull and get clogged quite easily unless you actually take time to clean the roots.
^ This :thumbsup:
Or if you can't be bothered cleaning the dirt around the roots, borrow your neighbours chainsaw because chainsaw chains and dirt aren't the best of friends.

The other solution is http://z.about.com/d/homerepair/1/0/p/-/-/-/drill_cordless.jpg + http://www.ethicalshopping.com/files/imagecache/article_fullsize/files/images/roundup2.jpg
It does'nt have to be a deep hole, about an 8mm bit at about 60mm deep.
That tree won't sprout roots anymore. :rolleyes: