I am attempting to remove what I believe to be a small privet tree. It is planted in a raised bed and has been here for several years. I cut the main trunk off a couple of years ago, but it has since thrown up several new branches from the stump, and now I want to get rid of it.
There are some quite stubborn roots that appear to extend for a few feet. It will be a lot of work to remove all the roots, and will involve disturbing other things planted in the vicinity, including bulbs that are about to flower.
My question is: if I sever the roots, will they grow back? They are probably an inch think and hardly budging even 18 inches from the stump. They are growing down into clay with lots of stones.
Thank you.