Cherry Laurel hedge
Kazz51
Posts: 1
we want to get rid of 2 large old Laurel bushes and replace with Portuguese Laurel, which we like better and think that it would be more easily managed. We reduced the height in late spring, but they have grown back strongly. We have recently reduced the width by removing whole branches and have taken off the lower branches so the lower half is clear trunk with foliage at the top, which looks quite attractive but I am guessing this will be a difficult shape to maintain with this shrub. They are giving us privacy at the moment as they are near the boundary with the next house, also some wind protection. However the trunks are very thick and I cannot see how we could possibly dig them out.
The dilemma is: should we try plant the Portuguese Laurel in the gaps and leave the Cherry Laurel in place while they are growing or should we cut the old Laurel down to the ground now to give more direct light to the new plants? If we are not able to also remove the roots will the new plants grow anyway?
would really appreciate any suggestions 
Posts
I don't think new shrubs would stand a chance of growing 'in the gaps'.
Without wishing to seem rude, I think youve been too timid with them.
In your situation what I would do is to cut the existing laurels back to below the top of the fence panels ... you could even go down to about one foot above the ground. The laurels will re-shoot and you can develop it as a proper hedge (from the ground up) or more like a 'hedge on legs' giving you some bare ground at the base if you cut them back to just below the fence tops.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I would agree with Dove, no need to replace, cut them to one foot from the ground, next summer they will be fantastic.
They will grow from the base, thicken up and cover the fence in no time, they thrive on a good cut down.