How do I get rid of leylandii ?

You've already given me advice on how to work on my turf (roll on Easter weekend!) but I have another problem, or prospective one of leylandii. There's 3 planted in a row at the front of the house, don't know how long they've been there, but stumps are quite thick. I'd rather have a nice little hedge that's easy to control. Any idea how I tackle these monsters?

 

If they're not too big now, then handsaw down in managable sections leaving about 5ft of stump, then use a spade, grub axe, bar, & the leverage of the trunk to wrestle the beasts from the ground. If they are already monsterous then get a few quotes.

 

Been there :D

 

Frogesque, you scare me! I'm a 5 foot three female what chance do I have!!

These houses are only 15 years old, so least it can't be THAT old. I'd say they were 10 foot in height and looking through it tonight, the foliage doesnt' seem a massive job...it's the roots that scare me. Do you think I'll have to dig Very Very deep?

 

with leylandii you don't actually HAVE to remove all the roots, as they won't grow back. It's just if you want to plant something else in their place, you'll need enough space to plant them. Hope that makes you feel a bit better!

[ 24. March 2006, 03:27 PM: Message edited by: dendrobium ]

 

Phew! It does...thanks! Worse comes to worst there's always tubs!!

 

I had to get rid of a BIG leyland hedge which was very mature. We cut the tops off about 4 foot then got a tractor into garden tied a rope round them and pulled them out with tractor. It was much easier than messing on with digging up roots, but I appreciate that everyone does not have room for tractor or one readily available. I was really pleased we got roots out as we can now plant with confidence that there is room for new stuff.
Janet

 

There you are then - finally something useful you can do with a Chelsea tractor. :D :D

 

Free Leylandii with every new 4x4!! no

 

What a picture!! What about a free 4x4 with every leylandii?

 

strip all branches off and turn them into TOTEM POLES....give you something to do over easter....

 

strip all branches off, cut down to 5', put wires along every foot, plant climbing roses between the poles, nice job. not to much work...

 

What a good idea!! I'll remember that one!! :D

 

Well you may be joking, but we actually tried a similar idea with climbing ivey. The Laylands were not ours and we were on North side of them so all branches were dead. I stripped them off and planted ivey to trail up them on wires.

Never had time to establish though as when the house next door changed hands there was a dispute aboute boundary, we sat tight and said they could be ours and as they did not want to start a dispute they ended up being ours so we pulled them out.

This was a couple of years ago, we have now planted yew, its slow, but I am sure will be much easier.

 

Thanks everyone - given me stacks of ideas. Going with the totem poles....JOKING!!! It's a huge relief to know I don't necessarily have to dig out the roots and as they are planted along the front drive I may go for gravel and pots if they prove really stubborn. (Not my first choice, but it would work!) Spoke to neighbours who were thrilled I was getting rid of them and have offered to help! Think I'll let them!!