I got something similar (£800 to £1,200). It is simply too expensive for me. There is no way I can pay such a price.
Is there any way to get rid of it more cheaply? Perhaps, I can kill off the roots slowly using some weed killer and then remove it. Another option would be to rent a chain saw and cut it off myself (£150). Not sure how difficult it will be.
If you try to cut them back they will look pretty bad. Once you get back to the dead brown parts past the outer branches it will not regrow and will stay that way.
I had to remove just such a hedge when we moved into our house. Ended up with a pile of leylandi branches almost as big as the house!
Just get some lopers and a saw and cut everythig down. Then once the branches and trunks are out of the way you can leave the stumps to rot away or dig them out. I dug them out, dug round each stump then just used an axe and the lopers to hack through the main roots and get the stump out. Some of the roots can got a long way so don't worry about getting them all out, just concentrate on the main stump.
If there's anything left in the ground it will rot away.
A chainsaw is not a good idea unless you've got experience with one, they a very dangerous tools.
It's not too difficult to get them out yourself, might just take some hard work over a few days. Get some friends to help you out!
Then replace the old hedge with a nice native one like hawthorn, something with berries for the birds.
Kashif, I'm sorry to say the price you have been quoted is reasonable, for what looks to be a 20ft hedge and 40ft long. It's a major job for any tree surgeon.
Thank you very much for your help. I have started cutting down the branches and a neighbour has kindly offered to help out with a chain saw. So, let's see how it goes.
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I've just had some quotes for removing mine.
£1200 for completely removing a short length of Lawson's Cypress hedge (5 or 6 trees).
£1000 to reduce a very long and tall hedge (about 25 trees).
These were the cheapest quotes.
Still thinking about it!
I got something similar (£800 to £1,200). It is simply too expensive for me. There is no way I can pay such a price.
Is there any way to get rid of it more cheaply? Perhaps, I can kill off the roots slowly using some weed killer and then remove it. Another option would be to rent a chain saw and cut it off myself (£150). Not sure how difficult it will be.
Any advice would be highly appreciated.
Thanks.
Once it is cut down the roots will die - they won't re-shoot so no need to poison them.
It's how to get the trees cut down safely that's the problem - they're very big. Maybe someone on here can advise you ...........
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I wouldn't recommend hiring a chainsaw - you might end up losing more than the hedge!
If you try to cut them back they will look pretty bad. Once you get back to the dead brown parts past the outer branches it will not regrow and will stay that way.
I had to remove just such a hedge when we moved into our house. Ended up with a pile of leylandi branches almost as big as the house!
Just get some lopers and a saw and cut everythig down. Then once the branches and trunks are out of the way you can leave the stumps to rot away or dig them out. I dug them out, dug round each stump then just used an axe and the lopers to hack through the main roots and get the stump out.
Some of the roots can got a long way so don't worry about getting them all out, just concentrate on the main stump.
If there's anything left in the ground it will rot away.
A chainsaw is not a good idea unless you've got experience with one, they a very dangerous tools.
It's not too difficult to get them out yourself, might just take some hard work over a few days. Get some friends to help you out!
Then replace the old hedge with a nice native one like hawthorn, something with berries for the birds.
Kashif, I'm sorry to say the price you have been quoted is reasonable, for what looks to be a 20ft hedge and 40ft long. It's a major job for any tree surgeon.
I'd start saving if I were you.
Good luck - do be careful with the chain saw!!! I know of people who've had very nasty injuries because they didn't follow the safety advice - there's some guidance here http://www.teagasc.ie/forestry/docs/advice/HSA_Guide_timber_chainsaws.pdf
Let us know how you get on with the garden
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.