Tree/bush root problem what tree is this/these

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by Yomper, May 21, 2012.

  1. Yomper

    Yomper Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi
    I was going to dig over my borders this week as my garden has been neglected for a while. what can i do to remove roots from these trees/bushes.
    first off i don't know what they are so maybe this would be a start if you can help identify them.

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    thanks in advance.. Martin
     
  2. gcc3663

    gcc3663 Knackered Grandad trying to keep up with a 4yr old

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    looks like Beech to me.
    They do seed prolifically - I'm always pulling them up.
     
  3. Kleftiwallah

    Kleftiwallah Gardener

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    The first and last snaps look like beech, the others look like rhodedendrons. Now that IS a weed.:gaah:

    Cheers, Tony.
     
  4. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I was going to say Laurel with a bit of Hazel:)
     
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    • Yomper

      Yomper Apprentice Gardener

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      i think your right with the laurel as the name rings a bell with the mrs would it be a cherry laurel? their roots are everywhere. its going to break my back digging them up :(
       
    • merleworld

      merleworld Total Gardener

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      I agree one of them is Laurel.
       
    • westwales

      westwales Gardener

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      I'm sure the large leaves are a type of laurel especially because you can see previous suckers and it looks as though it's suckering from the roots now. I don't think it's possible to get round the digging but I would dig a little bit distant from the stubs of the trunk and try to get at the smaller roots, cut as many as possible of the roots and then gradually get closer and closer to the stumps. Then dig from underneath loosening the biggest stumps. The good news is that the suckers are easier to remove and that means once they're gone they're gone!
       
    • Bilbo675

      Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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      I would say there is Hazel or possibly Beech with the Laurel and the others that are under the trampoline (?) could be Cherry; I've seen them like this in a garden I've done some work in, in that case they are springing up from the roots (suckers); some several meters away from the main tree, they could also be Cherry 'seedlings'..
       
    • Yomper

      Yomper Apprentice Gardener

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      i decided to dig the whole garden over and sift the whole lot as there is a lot of rubble and stones as well as loads of tree roots. i reckon it will take me a week or more depends on how busy my work is. going to sift with 10mm for most of the middle where i wil lay seeds for a new lawn (at sometime over the year) and sift even smaller where i intend to grow fruit and veg and raise the level by a good 10" with scaffold boards or similar.
       
    • Silver surfer

      Silver surfer PLANTAHOLIC

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      Hmm!
      I fear it will take a lot longer to dig out those stumps AND sift the soil.
      After having Prunus laurocerasus growing there the soil will be very very poor.
      For your fruit and veg you will need to add lots and lots of manure, compost, leaf mould etc etc to get some organic matter into it.
       
    • Yomper

      Yomper Apprentice Gardener

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      the first thing i want to do before ordering any manure or compost is get started sifting. the part of the garden i am digging is around 24ft by 30ft not overly massive but big enough. i will get some manure in when i start not sure how much as it will be mostly lawn with about 1/4 of the garden for fruit/veg
       
    • moyra

      moyra A knackered Veteran Gardener

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      I would say that the first lot are Hazel and the second lot Laurel. :)
       
    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      The first two pictures are definitely Laurel stumps. Not certain about the third picture but the blackish stumps at the back of it are also Laurel. The fourth is a mixture - the larger green leaves are also Laurel and the others could be beech or hazel. Not sure about the last one.

      Good luck with trying to take out the Laurel :sad:. Those trunks are quite old and not easy to get out. You may also find that it has put out very thick root runners that are pretty tough. You'll need to get most of it out otherwise it will sprout again.
       
    • Yomper

      Yomper Apprentice Gardener

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      i have found them roots and and i can see me having fun digging them out. shall i put some poison in the stump first to let it kill the roots and then dig them out or just dig them out and hope i dont miss any
       
    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      Putting killer on will be of help but it takes a long time to kill off Laurel. I'm not sure how long it will take for the killer to be absorbed properly. I'd be inclined to combine options. Put the killer on, leave it for a month (maybe more than one application) and remove everything you can dig down to. Be prepared to see some growth coming up somewhere so don't lay a lawn down on that area this year. Use it for veggies so you can get at any regrowth in the autumn.
       
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