6 Best Root Saws For Removing Roots Near Fences That Save Your Fence Line
Protect your fence from stubborn roots. This guide reviews the 6 best root saws designed for safe, precise cutting in tight spaces along a fence line.
That perfectly straight fence line you installed last spring is starting to look a little wavy. One of the posts is leaning, and the ground around it is heaved up in a tell-tale mound. You’ve got an invasive root problem, and if you don’t deal with it, that fence is only going to get worse.
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Protecting Your Fence Line from Invasive Roots
A fence is a significant investment in time and money, and nothing undermines it faster than aggressive tree or shrub roots. As roots grow, they seek water and nutrients, and they don’t care if your fence posts are in the way. They can push posts out of alignment, crack concrete footings, and eventually compromise the entire structure.
Ignoring the problem is the most expensive option. A leaning post today becomes a failed section of fence tomorrow, often requiring a full replacement of posts and panels. The key is proactive management. By severing invasive roots before they become a major structural threat, you save yourself a massive headache and a much larger repair bill down the road.
Choosing the right tool is half the battle. You need something that can cut effectively below the soil line without being easily dulled by dirt and rocks. It also needs to be maneuverable enough to work in the tight confines of a post hole or trench without damaging the very fence you’re trying to protect.
DeWalt Reciprocating Saw: Power for Tough Roots
When you’re facing thick, stubborn roots buried deep in the soil, brute force is often the best answer. A corded reciprocating saw, like a dependable DeWalt, delivers continuous, uncompromising power that won’t fade halfway through a tough cut. It’s the tool you grab when a manual saw just isn’t going to cut it.
The secret is pairing the saw with the right blade. Don’t use a standard wood blade; it will dull almost instantly in the dirt. Instead, opt for a pruning blade with aggressive teeth or even a demolition blade designed to handle wood with embedded nails—they are tough enough to survive contact with soil and small rocks.
The main tradeoff here is control. A reciprocating saw is an aggressive tool that vibrates heavily, and it can be easy to accidentally gouge a fence post or your shovel. You need to maintain a firm grip and let the blade do the work, using it for the heavy lifting on roots an inch or more in diameter that are well-exposed in your trench.
Silky Zubat Pruning Saw for Precision Cutting
The Silky ZUBAT hand saw delivers efficient cutting with its aggressive curved blade and scraper-shaped teeth. Features include a durable scabbard with a 3D roller lock system and progressive teeth for smoother starts and rust resistance.
Sometimes, power isn’t the priority; precision is. When a problematic root is growing directly against a wooden or concrete fence post, a reciprocating saw is too risky. This is where a high-quality manual saw like the Silky Zubat shines, offering surgical precision that power tools can’t match.
The Zubat, like many Japanese-style saws, cuts on the pull stroke. This gives you incredible control and requires less effort, as you’re using your larger back muscles to pull the blade through the root. The razor-sharp, impulse-hardened teeth create a clean cut that slices through wood fibers effortlessly, even when the cutting angle is awkward.
This saw is perfect for selective removal. If you need to sever a single, specific root without disturbing the surrounding soil or damaging the fence post, the Zubat is the ideal instrument. It’s slower than a power saw, but for delicate operations right on the fence line, that deliberate pace is a feature, not a bug.
Fiskars PowerTooth Folding Saw: Compact & Sharp
Not every root-cutting job requires a heavy-duty solution. For routine maintenance and tackling smaller, opportunistic roots you find during a walk along the property line, a compact folding saw is invaluable. The Fiskars PowerTooth is a fantastic example of a tool that delivers excellent performance in a small, affordable package.
Its triple-ground teeth are incredibly sharp and make quick work of roots up to a couple of inches in diameter. Because it folds, you can safely toss it in a bucket or even carry it in a large pocket. This convenience means you’re more likely to have it on hand and deal with a small root problem before it becomes a big one.
Of course, this isn’t the tool for severing a four-inch taproot buried two feet down. Its smaller size and manual operation limit its power. But for its intended purpose—quick, clean cuts on small to medium-sized roots encountered near the surface—it’s an indispensable and budget-friendly tool for any property owner.
Radius Garden Root Slayer: A Shovel and Saw Hybrid
The Radius Garden Root Slayer is a unique tool that challenges the idea that you need a separate shovel and saw. It’s designed as a multi-purpose weapon for the war against invasive roots, combining a sharpened, V-shaped shovel tip with aggressive serrated edges along both sides. It’s built to dig, pry, and saw all in one motion.
This tool excels at trenching along a fence line. As you drive the blade into the ground, the serrated edges automatically sever any small- to medium-sized roots in its path. This makes it incredibly efficient for creating a root barrier or clearing a wide area, rather than targeting one specific, large root. You’re effectively clearing a whole zone in one go.
The Root Slayer isn’t a replacement for a dedicated saw when you hit a massive, woody root. While it can chew through them, a proper saw is faster. Think of it as the ultimate tool for clearing and prevention, allowing you to quickly establish a defensible space along your fence that discourages future root encroachment.
Milwaukee M18 Sawzall for Cordless Convenience
For large properties with long stretches of fencing, being tethered to an electrical outlet is a non-starter. This is where the cordless freedom of a tool like the Milwaukee M18 Sawzall becomes a game-changer. It delivers nearly the same cutting power as its corded counterparts without the hassle of dragging hundreds of feet of extension cord behind you.
The convenience factor cannot be overstated. You can move from one problem spot to the next, cutting roots as you find them, without ever thinking about your power source. This mobility encourages you to be more proactive with fence maintenance, as the barrier to getting started is much lower.
The key consideration is battery life. Cutting dense, wet roots is a demanding task, and it will drain batteries quickly. For any significant project, you’ll want at least two high-capacity batteries on hand, with one charging while the other is in use. It’s a higher initial investment, but the efficiency and freedom it provides on a large property are well worth it.
Corona Bow Saw for Large Diameter Root Removal
When you’ve dug down and exposed a truly massive root—the kind that’s three, four, or even six inches in diameter—you need serious manual cutting power. A reciprocating saw can struggle, and a small pruning saw won’t even make a dent. This is the job for a classic bow saw.
A bow saw uses a long, thin blade held under tension in a metal frame. This design allows for rapid, aggressive cuts through large-diameter wood. The long blade clears sawdust efficiently, preventing it from binding, while the frame provides excellent leverage to power through the cut.
The main limitation is space. A bow saw requires a fair amount of clearance to operate its long frame back and forth. It’s not a tool for tight trenches. It’s the specialized finisher you bring in after you’ve already done the hard work of excavating around a monster root and need to make the final, decisive cut.
Choosing the Right Root Saw for Your Property
There is no single "best" root saw; the right tool depends entirely on your situation. Making the correct choice comes down to assessing the job at hand and matching the tool’s strengths to your needs. Don’t just buy the most powerful option; buy the smartest one for your property.
Consider these factors when making your decision:
- For pure power on thick, deep roots: A corded reciprocating saw (DeWalt) with a demolition blade is your best bet.
- For precision work next to posts: The Silky Zubat offers unmatched control for delicate cuts.
- For cordless freedom on large properties: A battery-powered Sawzall (Milwaukee) is the clear winner.
- For trenching and severing networks of smaller roots: The Radius Garden Root Slayer is a uniquely effective multi-tool.
- For huge, excavated roots: A bow saw provides the manual muscle needed for the biggest jobs.
- For everyday carry and small, quick cuts: The Fiskars folding saw offers unbeatable convenience and value.
Ultimately, many properties will benefit from having two of these tools: a power saw for the heavy lifting and a manual saw for precision work. Start with the one that solves your most immediate problem, and build your toolkit from there. A small investment in the right saw today will protect your much larger investment in your fence for years to come.
A straight, strong fence is a point of pride, and keeping it that way is a matter of simple but consistent maintenance. By understanding the threat that invasive roots pose and equipping yourself with the right tool for the job, you can protect your property lines effectively. Choose wisely, and your fence will stand tall for decades.
