These native shrubs are adapted to coexisting with mature tree roots (and vice versa) since they occur naturally in woodland habitats. It should not need removal, and while they will compete for soil moisture a bit growing this close, all that means is that during drought they'd likely fare better if monitored for watering needs and irrigated as needed. The tree's root system extends well past its branch spread, and while the Spicebush's roots are engulfed by the tree's root zone, they still can usually manage to provide the shrub with what it needs with little trouble.

If you preferred to have the Spicebush growing somewhere else in the yard and want to move it for that reason, you can try to carefully dig it out either now or in early autumn, but at this plant's age that might prove difficult without causing significant damage to the Spicebush roots and stressing the Elm in the process. In that situation, then, we'd recommend not moving it, if possible.

Miri

Thanks

If the spicebush needs to come out and digging it out is deemed too risky for the elm, than yes, cutting it down would be the simpler way to deal with it. It will probably regrow a couple times depending on how much stored root energy the plant has, but if you keep removing the regrowth promptly after it appears, eventually it will starve and cease resprouting.

Miri

Thanks 

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 5:44 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: