Conifer hedges do their job for a long time. But at some point these plants also get old. Cutting errors and incorrect fertilization can also destroy their good appearance. Then their owner wants them gone as quickly as possible. But how can they be removed with as little sweat as possible?
How to remove a conifer hedge?
To remove a conifer hedge, first cut off the branches on the trunk, saw the trunk at approx.80 cm high and then expose the roots with a spade. Cut through smaller roots, pull out the trunk and roots and then dispose of the plant remains professionally.
The ideal time for the campaign
There is no need to take the conifers into account in terms of time, the hedge could theoretically be taken out of the ground all year round. But it's not that simple.
To protect native bird species, extensive cutting and removal of hedges is prohibited from March 1st to September 30th. Shrubs are popular breeding places. It may well be that there are different special regulations for removing hedges in your federal state. Check with the relevant authority before you reach for the saw, otherwise you could face a hefty fine.
Also pay attention to the weather. If the ground is frozen, digging out the roots is difficult. However, you can also tackle the above-ground part of the work in sub-zero temperatures if there is no other alternative in terms of time.
Note:Do you want to remove the conifer hedge because it has brown spots? This doesn't necessarily have to be the case! Research possible causes and solutions!
Remove branches and cut trunk
In a private garden, a large conifer cannot be removed from the ground in its entirety. This requires heavy equipment. If you work your way little by little, you will reach your goal. Start by removing the branches close to the trunk.
- work in the lower area
- until part of the trunk is “naked” and easily accessible
- Cut the trunk at about 80 cm height from the ground
Of course, every single conifer in the hedge has to be treated like this. Put the removed tree parts aside so that they do not interfere with further work steps.
Exposing roots
- Use a spade to expose the roots as much as possible.
- You can easily cut through smaller roots with a spade and pull them out of the ground.
- Move the trunk back and forth to gain leverage. This loosens the root ball.
- Then pull out the trunk and roots. If this is not possible with your bare hands, you can tie a rope around the trunk and pull the rest out with a tractor (€31.00 on Amazon) or another vehicle.
Tip
Fill the holes created with compost to give the soil the nutrients it needs for subsequent planting.
Dispose of hedges
Even if the hedge was completely he althy, it does not belong in the compost, because a large proportion of coniferous wood makes the compost very acidic. But only a few plants can tolerate this. There's nothing wrong with small amounts of it. The acid effect can be neutralized by adding lime.
