How To Dig Up Crepe Myrtle Roots

You can dig up crepe myrtle roots by first cutting the stump down to a manageable height and then using the right tools to extract the root ball and major lateral roots.

But this is rarely a quick or easy job because crepe myrtle roots can run deep and spread wide when the tree has been established for years.

Whether you’re removing a crepe myrtle to clear space, kill off a stubborn tree, or stop suckers from popping up everywhere, understanding how to dig up crepe myrtle roots is essential.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process, the best tools to use, and tips for removing those difficult leftover roots.

Let’s get into it.

Why Digging Up Crepe Myrtle Roots Is Challenging

Digging up crepe myrtle roots requires patience because these trees don’t just have a single taproot that pulls out easily.

Instead, crepe myrtles develop a dense, fibrous root system that spreads horizontally from the base of the trunk.

These roots can extend several feet beyond the canopy drip line and often tangle with nearby plants, rocks, or even underground utility lines.

The challenge is even greater if you’re dealing with a large, mature crepe myrtle because the root mass becomes heavy and highly anchored in the soil.

Additionally, crepe myrtle roots regenerate quickly, so if you leave even one substantial root piece behind, you may see new suckers sprouting within weeks.

That’s why you need a solid plan before you start digging up crepe myrtle roots.

1. Assess the Size and Age of the Tree

The younger the tree, the easier it is to dig up crepe myrtle roots manually.

A small sapling with a trunk diameter under two inches can usually be removed with a shovel, a pickaxe, and some elbow grease.

But if you’re dealing with a mature crepe myrtle that’s been growing for ten or more years, the root system is much more extensive.

In that case, you might need a chainsaw to cut the trunk, a mattock to break the soil, and possibly a stump grinder if the roots exceed your patience level.

2. Gather the Right Tools

To successfully dig up crepe myrtle roots, you’ll need a sharp shovel, a mattock or grub hoe, a pruning saw or chainsaw, and a heavy-duty pry bar.

A pickaxe is also handy for loosening hard, compacted soil around the main root ball.

And don’t forget thick work gloves and safety goggles because digging can expose sharp root splinters and flying dirt.

If the soil is rocky or extremely dry, you might want to soak the ground with a hose a day before digging, which softens the earth and makes it easier to slice through roots.

Step-by-Step Guide to Dig Up Crepe Myrtle Roots

When you’re ready to start digging up crepe myrtle roots, follow these tested steps to get the job done efficiently and reduce the risk of regrowth.

1. Cut the Crepe Myrtle Down First

To dig up crepe myrtle roots, you first need to remove the above-ground part of the tree.

Use a chainsaw or handsaw to cut the trunk down to about two feet above the ground.

Don’t cut it flush to the soil yet, because leaving a short stump gives you something to grab and rock back and forth as you loosen the roots.

This leverage makes the digging process much easier.

2. Expose the Main Root Flare

Now you’ll want to dig up crepe myrtle roots by exposing the area where the trunk meets the root system.

Use your shovel to remove the top layer of soil in a wide circle, starting about 12 inches from the stump and working outward.

As you dig, you’ll begin to see thick woody roots radiating from the base.

Clear away the loose soil to get a clear view of how those crepe myrtle roots are arranged.

3. Sever the Lateral Roots

After exposing the main connections, you need to sever the large lateral roots with your mattock or pruning saw.

Use the mattock to chop through the thickest tendons that anchor the tree into the ground.

If you encounter roots too thick for the mattock, don’t force it, a pruning saw or reciprocating saw with a coarse blade can cut through crepe myrtle roots like butter.

Work your way around the entire stump in a full circle, cutting any major roots you find.

4. Rock the Stump to Break Remaining Ties

As you sever those lateral roots, start rocking the stump back and forth to check how much resistance still remains.

This rocking motion will snap any thin, untraceable crepe myrtle roots that haven’t been cut yet.

Keep clearing soil away and cutting until the stump feels loose and wobbly in the hole.

5. Pull the Root Ball Out

Once the stump feels free, use your pry bar as a lever to lift the stump out of the hole.

Digging up crepe myrtle roots with a root ball is ideal because it gives you the most wood possible out of the ground.

If the root ball is too heavy to lift out, cut the stump down further and remove pieces in sections.

6. Remove the Leftover Crepe Myrtle Roots

Even after the main stump is out, you’ll still have large pieces of crepe myrtle roots left in the soil.

Keep digging along each severed root, tracing them outward until they taper to a thin strand.

Use your mattock to shatter smaller root pieces, or simply cut them free and pull them out with your hands.

If this seems like too much work, you can rent a mini stump grinder to chew up the remaining wood below grade.

What Happens If You Leave Crepe Myrtle Roots Behind?

If you decide not to dig up crepe myrtle roots completely, you should know what you’re getting into.

Leftover crepe myrtle roots have a strong tendency to resprout and send up suckers all around the planting area, sometimes up to 10 or 15 feet away.

These suckers will grow a new tree if left unattended, and they can be extremely stubborn to cut back.

Additionally, underground crepe myrtle roots can cause cracking in walkways, interfere with lawnmowers, and compete with neighboring plants for water and nutrients.

So while the job of digging up crepe myrtle roots is arduous, it’s far better to do it thoroughly now than to fight regrowth for years.

So, How Do You Dig Up Crepe Myrtle Roots?

You can dig up crepe myrtle roots by cutting the trunk down, exposing the root ball, severing the lateral roots with a mattock or saw, rocking the stump loose, and then pulling all remaining root pieces from the soil.

It’s a labor-intensive process, especially for mature trees, but it’s the only guaranteed way to stop suckers and regrowth.

Start with a smaller, younger crepe myrtle if you’re new to this kind of work.

And always remember to stay hydrated, take breaks, and use the right tools to protect your back.

Now you know exactly what it takes to dig up crepe myrtle roots successfully.