A firethorn hedge forms an almost insurmountable protection against intruders and at the same time is an attractive boundary to the property. The firethorn also offers birds a safe nesting place and is a valuable contribution to protecting our feathered friends. But what if the hedge is to give way one day?
How do you remove a firethorn hedge?
To remove a firethorn hedge, you should first cut off the branches and expose the stump. Rhizomes and main roots can then be separated and removed. Alternatively, you can treat the stump chemically or initiate biological decay. Firmly rooted plants may require the help of a professional.
Removal of trees
Since the firethorn forms deep, strong and widely branched roots, it is not easy to remove the bush completely.
- First pinch and saw off most of the branches.
- Strike the stump several times from all sides with a mitten.
- Expose roots and dig up large areas of rhizomes.
- Separate the main roots with a sharp knife or secateurs.
- Pull out the tree stump and root remains and fill the resulting hole with topsoil.
Chemical agents
Before use, you need to drill deep holes in the tree stump. The chemical preparations release oxygen under heat, allowing the tree stump to burn without any external oxygen supply. The substances available from specialist retailers are mixed with a fuel such as petroleum (€98.00 on Amazon) or diesel and introduced into the rootstock through the holes. Once ignited, the stump burns out almost completely. If this first treatment is not sufficient, it can be repeated.
Biological decay
In this case, too, open the rootstock in several places and cut the wood deeply and in a grid pattern. The tree stump is covered with a thick layer of mature compost to which they have added compost accelerators. The microgranisms initiate a natural rotting process that gradually destroys the stump.
Remove firmly rooted plants
Sometimes it is not possible to dig up a firethorn hedge that has been growing in its original place for many years. The roots have formed a wide network and are strongly fused together. Sitting deep in the ground, they are difficult to dig up and difficult to cut. Even the old farmer's tactic of putting a rope around the tree stump and using a tractor to pull the stump out of the ground often fails here. In these cases, it is advisable to get a professional to help.
Tips & Tricks
Many mushrooms grow on rotting tree trunks. It is worth inoculating the old rootstock with fungal cultures from which edible tree mushrooms grow. This is significantly more environmentally friendly than chemical agents and just as promising.
