Privet is a shallow-rooted plant. That's why many gardening enthusiasts assume that it's not that difficult to remove a privet and its roots from the garden. However, removing the roots of a privet is much more complicated than you think.
How do I remove privet roots from the garden?
To remove privet roots, cut away existing shrubbery, dig up the soil around the privet with a digging fork and spade, and pull out the roots. For older plants, a small excavator and winch may be necessary, or hire a landscaping company.
Removing privet roots – manual work is required
The younger the privet, the easier it is to get the roots out of the ground. Such plants are relatively easy to dig up.
If there are still bushes, cut them down so that the main trunk remains at the root. You can then pull out the root more easily - possibly with a winch if the privet is too tight.
Prick the ground around the privet with the digging fork (€31.00 on Amazon). Dig at least 30 cm deep with the spade. You can often then pull out the roots.
Dig up older privet with a small excavator
If the privet has been in the same location for a long time, it is not so easy to remove the roots. They then spread widely in the soil. Digging is often no longer enough. The following tools are necessary:
- small excavator / Unimog
- winch
- Spade
- Saw
In order to work with an excavator and winch, there must be a larger piece of privet at the root. Then you can attach the winch to it. If only the root is still in the ground, your only option is to dig it up.
Also remember that driving an excavator or Unimog into the garden will cause serious damage. It will take a long time to get rid of these.
Instruct a garden company
For older hedges, you should consider hiring a landscaping company to remove the roots. The experts have the necessary know-how and the necessary equipment.
If you decide to do the work yourself, expect to spend a long time removing the roots.
Also remember that the privet sprouts even from small pieces of roots.
Tip
Younger privet bushes can still be transplanted quite well. You just have to make sure that you get them out of the ground as undamaged as possible. With older bushes the effort is usually not worth it.