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Shredding dead Privet

Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
in Plants
We have just removed half a dozen very old (probably over 100 years) and very dead privet - part of a long hedge.  There were no signs of disease, fungi or other obvious causes of death, so we are assuming the removed privet had just given up on life.  My question is, can we shred and re-use this as a mulch or do we have to remove it from the garden?

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  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    If you have a very powerful shredder (dead privet wood is very tough stuff) you should be fine.  If you have space and are allowed[1], the only other easy way of getting rid of it is by burning.
    [1] Only 77 days 'til Guy Fawkes night! ;)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Ha, ha to your last comment @BobTheGardener - is it really that close to bonfire night.

    We try not to burn garden rubbish anymore - something we used to do 3 or 4 times a year - however the shredder is a great investment for anyone with a larger garden and especially for twigs, smaller branches etc.

    Thank you for making us aware that the privet is tough, we will do what we can and perhaps take the rest to the garden waste tip.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    See how it goes, GD.  I usually put a bit of soft green stuff in as I go when shredding very hard branches etc.  It helps to cool the blades and provides a bit of lubrication.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Please to say that we managed to shred most of the dead privet and the shredder is still alive and well @BobTheGardener. We took your advice and shredded the privet to make nice wood chips with some lime tree leaves included in the mix.  The leaves will break down before we are ready to use the privet wood chip.
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