[lucylocket]

Hi, we're looking at buying a house with overgrown leylandii on all four sides. We'd be keen to replace the leylandii with native trees and hedging that are good for wildlife (holly, hawthorn, hazel, alder etc), but are wondering how big a job getting rid of the leylandii would be. Is it enough to chop them down, or would we have to uproot all the stumps and main roots as well? Also, would we need a tree surgeon to do the cutting, and does anyone have any idea how much it would cost? There are a lot of leylandii - site size is slightly more than half an acre.

[forest flame]

hi lucylocket
if you get the trees cut to the ground the stumps wont grow again. however they may be in the way of planting your indigenous trees unless you plan on planting saplings or small potted trees.as regard the cost it is hard to estimate without seeing the site. there are some tree surgeons who dont charge the earth.if you pm me i can give you details of a good company we use regularly.also it depends on what part of the country you are in.

[lucylocket]

Thanks, Forest Flame, that makes sense. Will see how the sale progresses before I check out the tree surgeon options, fingers crossed!

[breezyacre]

Have been there Lucylocket. Got rid of lots of trees. I was lucky as a man was willing to cut the trees to get the firewood. As regards the stumps. I left mine. 10 years on they are rotting now and I can remove them with a spade and some elbow grease. You can get a stump grinder to grind them up though. I planted indigineous trees behind the stumps and though the roots were a nuisance sometimes we have a fine hedge now.

[lucylocket]

Thanks, Breezyacre, that's good to know! Gives me hope...

[michael brenock]

the stumps of trees can be hard to get rid of. if you bore holes in the base half to one inch in diameter and 8-10 inches deep and fill with nitrogen fertilizer and water, then cork or plug it. Use 27.5 %N fertilizer. The smaller roots will rot away first followed by the bigger ones.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[lucylocket]

Thanks, Michael. Things are actually looking rocky for our house purchase, for other reasons, but I'm glad to know about the Leylandii issue anyway as it seems to be such a prevalent problem. I assume the tip for stump removal would apply just as well to other kinds of trees.

[busyc]

Hi - can you recommend a good tree surgeon who does not cost the earth please? I have lelandii that need to be removed. Thanks,

[lucylocket]

Sorry, we didn't go ahead, so don't know any names.