Removing massive hedge to install turf.
Discussion
We’ve recently moved into a new place which has a good sized garden but a lot is taken up by hedges and trees.
I’m currently hacking backing this jungle.
What’s the best way for me to remove the huge amount of roots that are left over in preparation to turf?
I was thinking of hiring a guy with a mini digger to spend the day just pulling it all out?
Or can I get away with root killer, exposing as much as possible to the winter frost and then just pull it out myself in the new year?
I’m currently hacking backing this jungle.
What’s the best way for me to remove the huge amount of roots that are left over in preparation to turf?
I was thinking of hiring a guy with a mini digger to spend the day just pulling it all out?
Or can I get away with root killer, exposing as much as possible to the winter frost and then just pull it out myself in the new year?
Edited by Phunk on Sunday 6th September 16:39
Whatever you do, don't lay turf until the spring! That much spoil disturbance & serious roots will take a long time to settle down unless you you have a whacker plate or big roller.
Laying lawn too soon will just mean it ends up settling down & sinking at different rates and will look a mess! It's then 5x harder to smooth out & rectify.
Laying lawn too soon will just mean it ends up settling down & sinking at different rates and will look a mess! It's then 5x harder to smooth out & rectify.
hidetheelephants said:
Rhododendrons are bds, make sure you get all of it otherwise it'll be back. Also burn or skip the bits, do not chip/shred it or the fker will seed.
This.Are you planning on putting up a fence or what in replacement for it?looks like it edges on the road so that will bring a host of other questions!
Rhododendrons don’t make good hedges though!
Chrisgr31 said:
hidetheelephants said:
Rhododendrons are bds, make sure you get all of it otherwise it'll be back. Also burn or skip the bits, do not chip/shred it or the fker will seed.
This.Are you planning on putting up a fence or what in replacement for it?looks like it edges on the road so that will bring a host of other questions!
Rhododendrons don’t make good hedges though!
There's a hedge (which isn't a Rhododendron) surrounding the property, so we'll keep that along with a couple of larger trees.
This is a overhead view of the property (my bit in red)
Depending on type, most hedges will take being cut back hard well, so even if they are well over grown that is the first port of call there.
We took two 15ft wide 20ft tall hedges back to almost sticks, including plenty cut down to a low level to promote growth from the base, and now 18month later have cracking 2ft wide 5ft tall laurel and privet hedge.
When removing trees/hedge cut it back to sticks left long, use a sharp digging spade* and or mattock to cut all around the root bowl, and then use the remaining trunk to lever it out. If you cut it off flush, massive pita to get out!
As said, it will settle with time and a whacker plate will likely make it worse not better, however you can heel the top few inches down, leave it just a week or two to settle a bit, and turf seed it now (a good time of year) you will just have to do a bit of "top dressing" to fill any settlement as it comes.
Diggers are also good fun.
Daniel
We took two 15ft wide 20ft tall hedges back to almost sticks, including plenty cut down to a low level to promote growth from the base, and now 18month later have cracking 2ft wide 5ft tall laurel and privet hedge.
When removing trees/hedge cut it back to sticks left long, use a sharp digging spade* and or mattock to cut all around the root bowl, and then use the remaining trunk to lever it out. If you cut it off flush, massive pita to get out!
As said, it will settle with time and a whacker plate will likely make it worse not better, however you can heel the top few inches down, leave it just a week or two to settle a bit, and turf seed it now (a good time of year) you will just have to do a bit of "top dressing" to fill any settlement as it comes.
Diggers are also good fun.
Daniel
The hedge will probably need some tender loving care. As long as it’s not made of conifers then it won’t object to being cut back. In fact will probably quite like it. You might need to infill it in places, or even do some hedgelaying!
The Council did hedgelaying on a hedge in a local park and it’s amazing what a difference it has made and how the gaps have filled up.
The Council did hedgelaying on a hedge in a local park and it’s amazing what a difference it has made and how the gaps have filled up.
Phunk said:
Slackline said:
Yep, easy with a digger. Forget the operator, it's cheaper and more fun to drive it yourself!
Bizarrely the cheapest I’ve found to rent on its own is £250 a day, but I’ve found a local guy with one that’s £175 a day.Edited by Phunk on Monday 7th September 09:50
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