How to Remove a Hedge

Hedges are an excellent way to stop nosey neighbours from peeking into your garden space, but they take up a lot of room and may require a good deal of pruning and watering. Removing a hedge is not easy; it requires a lot of work and a combination of tools and strength. The following tips are here to give you a hand in how you can remove a hedge:

Consider Why You Want the Hedge Gone

Once you remove it, there will be no coming back from it, so make sure you have indeed decided to make it happen. Instead of removing it, you can try curing it in case of disease. If it’s in an awkward place, you can move it instead. Dig a wide hole

around the roots and lift it to a new location. This may open up the garden while keeping your neighbour’s eyes on your property.

Do Your Research

Are you set on removing the hedge? If that’s the case, then you should do some research first. You need to know precisely what kind of plant species your hedge is and whether it’s covering anything important such as a drain. You also need to check for cables as well. You do not want to pull out a hedge that covers a drain or cut an electric cable.

Gear Up

Before you prepare for what’s ahead, you should take a moment. Think about hiring a tree surgeon to get the job done for you. They can remove the hedge with no complications. If you prefer the hands-on approach, you should ensure you have the right safety equipment, goggles and steel-capped boots, and cover your arms and legs well to prevent splinters and cuts while you work.

Prepare the Hedge

Before using your shears, you should spray the mature hedges with a glyphosate-based herbicide. This will destroy the hedge’s leaves, allowing you a clear view of the branches.

Get Rid of the Branches

You can start cutting the branches down with shears or even a chainsaw at the ready. Start with the top, and this will make the job easier. Use a step ladder to make the task less tiresome. Cut the branches back, and all you have left is the stump. When you’re done, move on to the final step.

Remove the Stump

Well-established hedges will have big stumps deep in the ground with strong extensive root networks. If you’re wondering how to remove hedge roots, you should paint the hedge stump with a herbicide meant to kill stumps. This will kill the roots and make it easier to remove the stump. It will also stop any new growth, making it possible to keep the hedge from coming back. Give the herbicide some time to set in, then dig around the stump, and this will release its roots from the soil. You may need to wriggle it around until it’s free. If it doesn’t budge, dig some more around it and repeat this until you can pull it out.

Finally Done

Remember to apply glyphosate-based herbicide on your mature hedges, then clip and hack the branches away to a stump. When it comes to the stump, always remember to use a stump-killing herbicide to make the task easier or bring in some mechanical help. If you’re certain about doing this, avoid expensive issues by researching what you need to do and reduce the risk of injury using the right safety equipment.

©Greenlight Landscaping