conifers

[enaj]

i have a row of conifers at the bottom of my garden they have had the tops cut out and are now about 7ft, but i want to get rid of them and put up a fence, what is the best way to do this? can i buy anything to poison them or do they have to be cut down, im female and would have to do it myself,

[horty]

Hi Enja. sorry but they will need cutting down and there will be a lot of tree to get taken away. It really will be hard work, I think you really need to get help. Once they are cut down you needn't dig out the roots as they won't re-grow from the base, but that will leave a row of stumps - not the most pretty thing. Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear. Good luck with it. H.

[alan30]

If you poison them you are still going to have to cut them down! If you cut them down with live foliage on there will be a lot less mess than dead foliage which will drop off everywhere when you move the rubbish. Cutting down as close to ground as you can and then hide stumps under soil or a ground cover plant. At 7 feet they are not very big (stem diameter) unless thay have been topped a number of times in which case they will have well developed stems and root systems.

[alan30]

Part 2 as AB not accepting longer posts
However if not large diameter you could try digging down around each trunk and severing the main roots to see if you can pull the roots out. Do this before you cut the trunks as the trunk will give you a lever to pull on. You don't say how many trees are involved but if there are a number you will have a lot of rubbish to clear away. Check with local council if any restrictions apply as even small size trees (3" diameter measured 5' above ground) can require permission if protected.

[raysparx]

Hi enaj

If you cut them down to just above grond level, then drill holes in the stump that is left put some root and stump weedkiller in the holes, the one I use is "Deep Root treestump & weedkiller" it is biodegradable, and you need not keep children and pets away from the area,

Once you have put the weedkiller in cover with a plastic bag to stop rain getting in, it will take a while but it works, the other alternative is to call out a specialist stump remover but that will cost quite a bit, Good luck, Ray

[n00dles]

Hi enaj,

Second sparky's reply. We used Root Out on a sycamore tree stump (which hubby drilled first), covered with bin liner to stop rain....Did the same with offending ivy plant we had inherited (neighbours front garden) up the side of our house..they wanted it out, so did we. Excellent stuff...............

[rugeleyboy]

sorry but i am on the eternal sale here..................

where do you live as i sell fencing???

another answer to your problem and one that nobody else has bought up.......can you get a mini digger to the conifers, we sometimes do this and just pull em out.......obviously,if they are to big it wont work but its all worth a try??

[earthakitten]

A few years ago we had to remove 14 30ft conifers !!!! I really don't think anyone should tackle this on their own. We had a quote just to fell, not remove and it was around �800 !!
We bought a chain saw, (not sure if you can now) and a shredder. We cut off as much as possible by hand first but we still needed rope to pull them down. It was surprising how close to the house they were when on the ground! It took weeks to do ourselves. How about a conifer party! Half a dozen burly friends from the local rugby club sounds good followed by a barbeque, drinks and a taxi home. You never know , you might get some takers.
If you are able to do it with help don't forget long sleeves and gloves. Conifer rash is extremely irritating and sore, I know. Good luck xx