Lellandii Trees

[margaret124]

Wonder if anyone can advise me please, I have Leylandii Trees in my garden which I intend to remove and replace with a hedge, once I chop the Leyandii down would it be difficult to get the roots out, the Leyandii are about 20 feet high, been growing for 10 years and are regularly cut, but I'd ideally like to remove them and replace with a nice hedge.

[Catso]

Probably quite a chore, yes, but it depends upon your soil. If the roots have gone well down, it will be a back-breaking job.

Though, the one time I cut down some leylandii, it didn't remove the roots, and apart from one minor attempt, they didn't resprout. (Tho' perhaps I was just lucky!) You could consider leaving them in.

[2complicated]

In my experience, Laylandi have one long tap root that goes straight down. Either dig around the root, and chop it off well below ground, then you can drill into the stump and apply a root killer, available from garden centres. You may also try hiring a "root puller" from your local high shop. This will make the job much easier.

[WendyS]

Unless you can get the roots dug out I suspect you may have problems ever getting a new hedge to thrive because there will be too many root obstructions to allow the new hedge roots to establish themselves with the restrictions.

Also, the Leylandii will have taken all the goodness from the soil for several yards around the root area so ideally all the soil will need to be replaced. That being the case, it may be a better option to get a professional in to dig out the roots, take away the old soil and provide fresh earth for a new start.

[Thunderbird+]

Hi margaret124,
It sounds like it would be quiet a major task removing the roots, unless you had them winched out, dug out with a mechanical digger or stump grinder, by proffesionals.
If removing the stump and roots is too daunting a task, the good news is c. leylandii will definately NOT sprout from the roots or low cut stump and will eventually die, its also a very disease resistant tree and if they are spaced widely enough, you may have the option to plant in between the stumps.
If however you decide to go down the route of digging out the stumps, you will find it a whole lot easier if you leave approx 3-4ft of trunk, which will help to leaver out the roots as you dig around the base. What ever option you take Good Luck Tbird+

[Rock'n'Roll]

son tried a stump grinder,not brilliant,although it was a "proper tree,eventually we got a bloke with a diddy mechanical digger to rip it out. Couldn't tell you the cost as he was doing work on the garden as a whole. As you mention "trees" I suggest you get a quote

[margaret124]

Thank you all very much for your replies, Wendys I think I shall do as you say and plant in between them after changing all the soil, will be quite a task but will be worth it in the end. Thank you all.

[heathfield]

Digging in manure will save replacing the soil.