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moving box / leylandi

Willow 11Willow 11 Posts: 3
in Problem solving

I needed a 5' hedge quickly but like box (slow growing). I decided on a mixed hedge of alternate box & leylandi which looked great. I now want to remove the box (approx 5 'tall) so the leylandi can make a solid hedge 5' tall. The box will then be transplanted to form a separate hedge.

I can't leave the box in place & remove the leylandi as this would leave gaps in the hedge.

As box has a root ball system & leylandi roots grow sideways  how do I remove the box without damaging the leylandi?

Please don't suggest disposing of the leylandi as this is not an option. I'd appreciate any other advice.

Thanks

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Willow 11 says:

    As box has a root ball system & leylandi roots grow sideways  how do I remove the box without damaging the leylandi?

     I'm not sure that you can  ... five foot trees will have quite established roots which will be intertwined  .... and I'm concerned that where the leylandii and box meet the leylandii will be brown and when you remove the box the leylandii will not green up.  image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    I'd agree with Dove. If you want to remove the box (or rather - if you can ) you'll be left with gaps and you'd have to plant more leylandii in those gaps to avoid the 'browning' issue.

    You'd have to try getting out as much of the box as you can - cutting it right back first - and just hope for the best with it. There might be enough bits of root left on some of them to re establish, but if you're set on keeping the leylandii hedge, you'll have to accept that some box plants will be sacrificed in the process. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    I have found that box has a mass of fibrous roots. At 5 foot I think you will be very lucky to extract them and re-establish elsewhere. 

    Are your box mature shrubs or have they just been allowed to grow to 5 foot and untrimmed? If so, you will have a better chance of them re-estabishing but if they are mature specimens, not so much.

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Willow 11Willow 11 Posts: 3

    Thanks for your replies Hogweed Fairygirl & Dove. I read that if they are soaked 12 hrs before moving & you dig an area of 12'' around the base X 12'' deep they transplant well. Believe it or not I was more concerned about cutting through the leylandi roots.

    If anyone can comment further (including those named) I'd love to hear from you.

    Fingers crossed for more advice but thanks for your speed of reply. By the way both box & leylandi are mature but I keep them trimmed .

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147

    ... and are the leylandii brown where they butt up against the box?


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Willow 11Willow 11 Posts: 3

    No. All the plants are healthy

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147

    Surprising but great news for you image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • glasgowdanglasgowdan Posts: 632

    The best thing to do is sacrifice the box here, pull them out and try not to disturb the leylandii roots. (I'm weeping as I type this!). 

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