How to get rid of the damn things..

There is a jungle of brambles in our neighbours garden that keep trying to invade us! they are infuriating to say the least

 

Goodo

The derelict plot with three metre high brambles next to me has just been cleared with a bulldozer. Bet the brambles will be back across the ditch by the autumn. Probably earlier

 

Well, I see this thread started off about uprooting rose bushes and became about brambles.

However, I am in the process of trying to dig up a very dead rose bush (anti social neighbour poured bleach on it...don't get me started - she did the same to next door's hedge and killed it).

It's in the front garden that is mostly concreted over (not my choice), i.e. a hole in the ground where the rose bush is. I have made some headway - broken off one of the main sections - crunched off at root level and have 2 more main sections to go that look more resistant. Can't really get a rake in there to loosen up the surrounding soil (hits the concrete) and I am old, i.e
not strong so feel a bit stuck.

Would it be best to saw it off at soil level and let the weather disintegrate the roots or should I
try and use the existing leverage (from the long branches) to try and yank it free? (May need help for this I realise). Is there something safe that could be poured into the soil to further root erosion?

 

Oh my what to do what to do ... Do you have a picture? What about a strong weed killer for the roots? Don't know how practical this is. As for the neighbour - take up the drums badly

 

I have now provided a photo...see post further down. I would like something soil friendly i.e. not a strong weed killer.

As for the neighbour - she has been obsessed with me for over 11 years (constant trespassing of my back garden - despite high, expensive fence - trashing and vandalising both front and back gardens). She is disturbed, i.e. beyond reason. I just keep reporting what she does which seems to further inflamme her but I will not tolerate being a doormat to such destruction.

 

Dear god, no you shouldn't put up with that! Radio 2 have just been discussing covert filming, are you gathering proper evidence, so you can get her dealt with properly?

something like this could be all you need
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MP3-Clip-...013?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item33989dc6f5

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Covert-Sp...583?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aa2c8fec7

 

As for your Rose, how about scrapping the soil away from the base exposing as much of the roots as possible and once the major root system is visible, use secateurs to cut through each root until the stump is removed. I have to do this with a Castor Oil bush in an awkward spot.

 

Thanks for your advice. The front garden is the least of it really (she bleached the rose bush whilst I was living with my mother, locally, who I was a carer with for 2 years. It was done in retaliation for having reported her. I had caught her shining a torch into my mother's living room at night! The anti social unit must have said something quite severe - she has a council house 2 doors from me - she stopped her antics for 1 year.)

The problem of getting a device is quite complex but the main reason is this...

Her mum has given me a death threat (that has been logged with a crime no) i.e. when I tried to reach some peace on the ludicrous situation, she said "no, it's not over because you're not dead yet. I want you dead under the patio" (reminded me of Brookside!) So I dare not provide evidence, i.e. go to court which also may impact adversely on my high blood pressure.

Also it would mean 3 devices (1 for the front garden, 2nd one by the front porch where she trashes and even threw out a letter of mine on to the path very recently and thirdly via the back garden). I sent her a stern letter re. the mail vandalism e.g. that I had informed nearby neighbours to be on the lookout for her in action and if she did it again I would take action.

Also I am loathe to have any reminder here within my flat via techno equipment....bad enough that I have to tolerate her presence outside of it. Do you know whether these devices operate without being wired up to anything? If it were just these devices at the window, then I wouldn't mind, i.e. being wired up later for detection of photos. I only have a laptop.

 

As indicated, the problem is really getting into that compact space i.e. it is mostly surrounded by concrete. As you will see from the photo, the base of the trunk is far too wide for secateurs. You will see, on the left hand side, the wrenched bark where I managed to yank off a branch of it today. The other parts feel more sturdy, resistant.

I would like something that might loosen or further disintegrate/rot the already dead root.

At least red valerian is growing around it now - a good sign but I have been told that this will grow virtually anywhere.

 

What about trimming it up to a nice shape, leaving it and growing an evergreen climber like Armandii with maybe alongside a long flowering dwarf deciduous clematis to give you year round attraction.
I would check with Armandii to see which clematis would serve you best if you like the idea.
I am not one for hard work if there is an alternative lol!
Sorry about your neighbour, the council may be able to help you with covert cameras, which they install and monitor. You may want to have a chat with your local team.

 

Interesting...yes, I may have to do something like that if I can't yank it out. Maybe some kind of climber that didn't grow too much (since it would have nowhere to go once the branches are covered). Not sure what kind of climber that would be though. Clematis grow quite prolifically I think or do they vary? Does anyone know? I never had any luck growing clematis in my back garden...could be its location though - never took off/very spindly and died. My soil is quite compact clay (although I tempered this when I established the clematis)

Getting rid of it though is preferable since it serves as a constant reminder of what she has done to me. It used to be a magnificent white rose bush. I dare not think about it too much since it is upsetting.

 

You mentioned that you aren't physically strong enough to get it out yourself. Do you have a youth club/school/college nearby? They may be willing to help you to find someone who could help. Lots of young people now are working towards certificates & awards which involve a few hours of voluntary work and some are looking for a "one off task". Just a thought. Good luck

 

I would be a bit too embarassed to ask about that. There is a lovely tenant above me who is fit and fairly young. May see if she can help or a male friend when he next calls. Thanks.

 

No wiring required, you just put a memory card in them, the same as you would with a camera and it just sits there, innocently until it senses movement, then it will start to record. If any damage happens, you take the card out of the device, put it in your laptop, and play it back.