hedges

[skimble]

Can i take out old 25ft leylandii and replace with laurel in the same soil

[Hawkwalk]

If you remove a 25ft leylandii there will be a big hole that will need filling with new soil anyway.

The existing soil will not be very suitable for re-planting without plenty of digging over, incorporating a soil improver and feeding.

[Whoever]

I doubt it. Leylandii take a great deal of nourishment from the soil and I think that for a new laurel hedge to thrive you would definitely need to have some of the old earth carted away and fresh soil put down, as well as digging in some compost and fertiliser. Incidentally once laurel gets established, it will grow very quickly and you'll find yourself with the same dilemma as you had with the Leylandii in terms of having to cut them back regularly.