Privet removal the easy way

Well, is there an easy way?

We've been giving out advice about keeping privet under control but having had a go at it this afternoon I feel worn out and estimate it might take around two hours per foot of hedge to get it down to where I want.

I've been snipping away with a secateurs which is very hard on my hands and using loppers for thicker stalks. They are a bit clumsy to wield, however.

Trouble is, there's loads of twiggy stuff at the outer edges as a result of constant trimming. It would be better to cut the main branches just underneath this but they are up to 1.5" thick. I could do with a massive hedgetrimmer like the council has got which just whacks it all to shreds.

Any suggestions?

 

Ive been digging mine out slowly for 2 yrs and still have 75ft to go i have black plastic bags covering them but shoots stil come through!

 

High powered car, tow rope and "boot it" was my method many years ago! It worked but I wouldn't recommend it nowadays.

Maybe try SBK to kill it off then cut it down or dig out?

 

Same advice as VINCE
Ours was a 4x4 with tow bar and a chain
wrap chain around base of privet, boot it and voila out it comes in seconds, leaving behind a really nice clean soft soil, ready for planting, or concrete founds :-)

Jack McH

 

Ta everyone. I don't need to remove it completely, though I've been tempted, just to get a bit off the height and width (getting on for 8'x4' in places now). As I live on a bus route dragging them out by 4x4 would be an interesting project!

The reasons are to make it clipping more manageable - I can only get to the top centre by standing on the top rung of my stepladder and leaning over - and to make the front garden less of a haven for burglars.

Most of the stems are less than 1" diameter. I could use a loppers but it would be a tiring old job. If I could hire an electric cutter which would whizz through them that would be my choice, much as I hate using equipment of that type.

 

Privet still makes a pretty good hedge...has no virus, etc problems and I think looks good. Madahhlia, hire a decent hedge cutter then. Hard work now but you will be glad later. A good feed afterward and you will have a thick manageable hedge by summer

 

http://www.brandontoolhire.co.uk/en/landscaping-and-gardening/255-cordless-hedge-trimmer.html

Do you think this one would do the job?

I won't be needing the gym after holding 4.5 KG of lean, mean, cutting machine up in the air for several hours!

 

http://www.nationaltoolhireshops.co.uk/product/hedge-trimmer-2-stroke-petrol-for-hire

Or this one - much better value.

 

It does look good - when it's properly trimmed.

You cannot be serious! I'm more likely to try to starve it into submission.

 

I have always cut it with shears in the past because
a.I find the weight of holding up a hedge trimmer just as difficult as chopping with a light shears
b.I don't enjoy using electric shears and
c.I haven't got my own hedge trimmer anyway!

The result is fine, but it has meant that the hedge gets a tiny bit bigger every year because the shears won't cut older, woody stems.

How easy are the petrol driven ones to use?

 

Think shiney is right. I have a cordless cutter and it's ok but my hedges are under control. Half an hour's power at a time. And getting your own electric cutter makes sense. Good luck