Burning bush roots grow in a fibrous pattern rather than a single deep taproot going straight down. The root system spreads out wide in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil. This means you deal with a dense mat of roots close to the surface instead of one thick root going deep into the ground.
I learned about the burning bush root system the hard way when I tried to dig one up from my yard last fall. The root ball spread out just as wide as the branches above ground. I had to dig a circle about five feet across just to get under a medium sized shrub that was only six feet tall at the time.
Euonymus alatus roots form this fibrous web pattern for good reasons that help the plant thrive in many soils. The wide spread lets the shrub grab water and nutrients from a large area of soil very fast after rain. This design also helps anchor the plant against strong winds without needing to grow deep into hard soil layers.
The burning bush root depth you see depends on your soil type and growing conditions in your yard. Sandy loose soil lets roots push deeper than clay does since there is less resistance. Most roots still stay in the top two feet of ground no matter what soil you have. A few anchor roots may reach down three feet or more in ideal conditions with good drainage.
One feature of this root system causes big problems for many homeowners. The roots can send up suckers that turn into new plants. UMD Extension notes that root suckering helps burning bush spread beyond seeds alone. New shoots pop up from roots several feet away from the main trunk and grow fast.
Transplanting burning bush works best in early spring or late fall when the plant is not growing fast. Dig your hole at least one foot wider than the canopy spread to capture most of the root mass. Water the plant well for several days before you dig so the roots hold together in a firm ball of soil.
Removing a burning bush for good takes more work than you might expect at first glance. Cut the shrub down to a stump first to make digging easier without branches in your way. Then dig out as much of the root mass as you can reach with your shovel and pry bar together.
You need to watch for regrowth from any roots you leave behind in the ground over time. Check the area every few weeks during the growing season for new sprouts popping up. Pull or spray these suckers right away before they can grow big and store energy in the roots again. Persistence over one to two years usually kills off the remaining root pieces for good in most yards.
Read the full article: Burning Bush Plant Care and Growing Guide
