removing hedge stumps

MSaxp

Hi,

We cut our beech hedge a couple of months ago and now need to remove the stumps and roots in order to plant a new hedge.

We are looking to remove about 60 stumps (the hedge was about 3 ft tall). The issue is that the stumps are between a metal frame and a lawn (area that needs digging is about a foot wide) to so cant really use a digger. The second issue is that i am an office worker and not a builder (or gardener) so not an expert in digging

I have tried with a mattock which does the trick but its quite slow.

the questions are:

1) Are there any power tools I could use for this?

2) roughly how much would someone charge for something like this? (south west)

3) what can i do with the clay soil i get out. comes out in blocks and sticks to everything. Can i take it to a recycling centre? any way i can use it in the garden? I can obviously make pots with it

Thank you for reading and any help you provide?

DaftyDuck

Mattock is what I use, on very long hedges. Helped by a long lever made from a tip-flattened scaffold pole. A small saw can help cut through just-exposed roots. An axe can do the same, but often hits a stone where I am.

Bloke in to do it? No idea of cost, but I guess it might be worth it if you are weak and feeble (like I woz) :D

Save on gym membership, do it yourself, then treat yourself with the savings.

If the clay is that clayey, pizza oven? You'll need one to top up the calories!

glasgowdan

How long did the ones you already do take? Multiply that up and cost it at £120 a day for a handyman hobby cash retiree, or £250 a day for a proper gardener! Do subtract a bit to account for the latter being more efficient.

Debbie_Savard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC2gPvvoBnY

>what can i do with the clay soil i get out<

That, plus 60 roots, I'd be thinking about a 5 sq yard skip

moneyistooshorttomention

I got rid of a couple of fair size stumps of woody plants (mistake planting of mine) by rotting them down somewhat.

Absolutely soaked them at intervals and put plastic bags over them (translation to 2018 - something other than plastic bags = maybe a tarpaulin) whilst they rotted away and then was able to lever them out a few months later bit by bit myself. I'm a woman and haven't got much physical strength at all.

I believe there are ways one can make them rot faster than just absolutely drenching them.

Of course - it depends if one has the time available to be able to wait a few months for "nature to take its course".

Shame you can't get a digger into the space - as that would have been the ideal solution and is what I did with the garden in the first place and that was everything ripped out initially.

EDIT; Just been reminded by Pinterest things coming through at the moment - Epsom Salts. That being drill holes into stumps and pour in Epsom salts. Takes up to 2 months for the stumps to disintegrate.

MSaxp

Thank you all for your replies.

I think I managed 4 in about 40 minutes, so 10mins a piece. Problem is that I have to take a break after 20 mins as its hard work. Lame I know. Probably harder than my gym sessions so I might just man up and accept the fitness benefits.

Worst case scenario I don't manage in time to plant a new hedge this year

Davesnave

I've got a 3/4 size Tramontina mattock from Brazil, which I find much easier than the standard size from Bulldog etc. Don't know where you might get one, but mine came from Tuckers of Crediton (also Ashburton.)

You don't say what you're replacing the beech with, but if you buy small bare root plants now, use what you need and heel the rest in in a nursery bed, it'll work out cheaper.

rach_k

Do you have a group of friends and family who'd be up for a challenge? Provide pizza and beer plus an extra crate of beer for whoever gets the most out. If you wait for a clear day it'd be nicer, but I expect it'll be warm work so no need to wait for hot sunshine.