Cutting a hedge down without a chain saw

dander

Hi, does anyone have any advice about how I can cut a privet hedge down without a chain saw - I don't have one, or know how to use one and don't fancy trying!
The hedge is about 6ft long and 6ft high and I'm going to have to get it out right down to the roots because I want to put a wall in its place. I've got some hedge trimmers and a folding pruning saw, but I guess neither of these will do the job!

jrrowleyws

I'd check that no pipe lines or cables run underneath it and get a contractor in to chop it down a bit and physically rip the main parts out with a winch. Works very well, but you'd need access for some sort of vehicle to the hedge. Wasnt too expensive either

paddy's_mum

Use secateurs and loppers to trim away all the thin growth so that you can get at the main stems. An ordinary hand-saw will get through the main 'trunks' which you should cut about 12 or 15" above the soil level so that you have something to lever with to help get the roots out. If you have no machinery, there is only the old fashioned way of digging away a little bit at a time until the job's done. A couple of mates and a crate of lager often makes the task a social occasion instead of a hard slog.

Above all, make sure the hedge belongs solely to you before you go chopping anything down. Many a boundary dispute or criminal damage allegation begun over what seems to one neighbour a simple garden improvement job!

soul619

i had to do this with my dad, we brough a wood saw from wilkos £5 but in the sale at £2.50 and cut down as far as we could then hard graft with a couple of forks and spades.

we still keep getting sprouts so we didnt get it all but my dad digs up the bits as he see's em now

amcluesent

>physically rip the main parts out with a winch<

Or get them to use stump-grinder. So much easier then taking out roots with a pick-axe

dander

Many thanks - the hedge is definitely my side of the boundary, and my elderly neighbour's eyes lit up when I said I wanted to get rid of it. It's just pointless and in a stupid position and not worth the effort of maintaining it. I plan to build a wall and extend the patio up to meet it, so hopefully the concrete will keep the sprouts down!

bottlehalffull

The birds love it though... and cutting it to a sensible height gives you more light - and if you trim it's width you reclaim your garden.

It really is better to have a hedge than a fence. A fence costs a fortune to replace whilst a hedge needs little maintenance (3 cuts a year)

Bear in mind where you'll get rid of it if you cut it down. It'll need a huge number of trips to the tip unless you shred it (and compost it)

dander

Thanks for teaching the grandmother to suck eggs. As I said in my post I'm not replacing it with a fence.
I've got about 60ft of decent hedge in my garden, I think I'm allowed to get rid of 6ft of crappy privet without being patronised, thanks.

Aries

We got ours out by tying a rope around it, and towing it out with a Landrover:rotfl:

bridgitonboat

We did the same as Aries and towed our Trees out with a truck. Only good if you can get to the hedge and if youve something suitable to do it with.

lostinrates

Aries wrote: »

We got ours out by tying a rope around it, and towing it out with a Landrover:rotfl:

How big a stump could a LR cope with? If helped by some digging? we have one but have never done anything like this with it....but might want to soon!