Digging out leylandi roots

CharleyD

Just wondering whether to go to the expense of hiring a mini digger to dig out leylandi roots or whether I would manage with a fork and axe.  Any thoughts/experience in doing this?  I will have cut down the leylandi to about a foot high before attempting the roots.

Lyn

We cut down and dug out 28 trees, over 25 years old, we used a mattock, crow bar shovel, strong secateurs, it wasnt too bad, they are not deep rooted, you need to feed the ground  up a bit afterwards, I used chicken pellets and home made compost, we planted the border up in the same year, no problems.

Its helpful if you have two people though, as one digs, the other frees up the roots with the secateurs.

pansyface

Leaving a longer trunk helps with the removal as it lets one person rock the tree to the side while the other lets rip with the hatchet.

I agree, they are relatively easy to remove - and very satisfying to achieve.

CharleyD

Great, thanks.  Digging them up sounds to be much more satisfying