We had several conifers which became surplus to requirements. All of the green growth was cut off and the trunks left about a metre high. They died quite quickly. If you aren't pushed for time and could put up with it looking untidy until spring you might be as lucky as I was and be able to get it out more easily. No one believed that I pulled mine out without using any tools and the trunks were a foot in diameter. From what I understand conifers aren't that deeply rooted. (There was a lot of push and pull until I could stand on the trunk and jump up and down on it! They had a fair amount of roots but only a few which needed to be severed with tree loppers.)
They aren't usually too difficult to get out. Chopping to leave a small trunk, as already described by Obelixx, is the best way as you have a lever to work it loose. It might be easier to wait until the ground is more favourable though. I'm assuming that it's pretty dry. If you have someone who could help you, it would be easier if you want it out now. Depends how desperate you are to get rid!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
As I suggested, if you take off the top now the roots will start to fail as nothing will be feeding them. Then, in just a few weeks, they'll be easy to jiggle and wiggle and loosen. You might need an axe or a good pruning saw for cutting bigger roots but no other special equipment apart form muscles. I did this with a 20 metre row of them back in 1983 when we bought a house a with a runaway conifer hedge that had never been trimmed.
In the meantime, you can think about what you'd like in its place so you're ready for lanting in autumn which is the best time for getting new plants established. You'll need to think about aspect, exposure, soil type and how easy you need it to be to maintain. If that is a bit boggling, take some photos of the whole space and measure it then post that info and we'll be happy to help with ideas.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
You're all so helpful, I actually feel like I can do it as a result of your advice.
I will certainly be back with some pics once I've got rid of the conifer, and as you mentioned autumn is the best time to plant, so plenty of time to make a plan.
I removed loads of conifers from my garden some were very large. Never removed the root just cut down to ground level and they have all rotted away in their own time.
I removed loads of conifers from my garden some were very large. Never removed the root just cut down to ground level and they have all rotted away in their own time.
Thanks. I always assumed that roots of any kind would always just grow back. I'm amazed at how clueless I am
Some do grow back so you’re not really wrong ... but thankfully conifers don’t 🥂
Haha, thank you. I think you've just saved me making a hash of things going forward. So literally different plants have their own unique characteristics? It sounds like it can be a lot to take in...
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It might be easier to wait until the ground is more favourable though. I'm assuming that it's pretty dry. If you have someone who could help you, it would be easier if you want it out now. Depends how desperate you are to get rid!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
In the meantime, you can think about what you'd like in its place so you're ready for lanting in autumn which is the best time for getting new plants established. You'll need to think about aspect, exposure, soil type and how easy you need it to be to maintain. If that is a bit boggling, take some photos of the whole space and measure it then post that info and we'll be happy to help with ideas.
You're all so helpful, I actually feel like I can do it as a result of your advice.
I will certainly be back with some pics once I've got rid of the conifer, and as you mentioned autumn is the best time to plant, so plenty of time to make a plan.
Thank you
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.