I think they're too close together to plant anything without removing one - only about 1-2' between each one, though obviously that gap would have been bigger when they were first planted... suspect they were intended as a hedge at some point long before we arrived. But yes, I reckon one should do it.
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
Get chappy to chop them then leave them over winter for the rain and cold to get the roots. Then you'll be able to dig and chop out enough root to make a decent space.
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)."
I hired one for a weekend to get rid of 4-5 stumps that were here when we moved in. Most stumps were probably only a foot or so wide but there was one that was much bigger.
The first grinder was completely blunt and after a couple of hours had barely made any progress. The hire company replaced it and the second one was much better. The machine itself wasn’t much bigger than a lawn mower but did a good job at removing the stumps and roots.
It just takes time and is incredibly noisy! And obviously need to wear eye protection etc. Attached a few pictures below to give you an idea...
At the circumference you quote, the stumps will only be about 15-18 inches in diameter. So should be fairly easy to dig out once the trees are down. Conifers are not particularly deep rooted so a spade, a sharp pruning saw and loppers should be all you need. Plus a bit of muscle. I have done all 3 at various times - dig out, stump grinder (because I was in a hurry), and leave to rot (wasn't in the way of anything). Needless to say that it was the biggest one that I decided to dig out!!! A brickies trowel comes in very handy when digging out.
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
Thanks for the photos, @Unqualified. It's good to know it can be done... but I think I'm thoroughly talked out of the attempt!
And yes, @hogweed, that'd be about right. Double checked the price with the tree surgeon (for felling) - am going to need to do some sums. I'm rather concerned about the increase in traffic noise, but I do think it's only a matter of time before they come down by themselves...
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
Good luck @LG_ I'm sure you'll be relieved when they are down. If road noise is still an issue, then there are special fences you can buy that might be worth the money in the long term. Regarding the stumps, have you considered pouring a small quantity of neat Brushwood killer on them and just leaving them to rot? We did that with a small ash we felled and it worked a treat.
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The first grinder was completely blunt and after a couple of hours had barely made any progress. The hire company replaced it and the second one was much better. The machine itself wasn’t much bigger than a lawn mower but did a good job at removing the stumps and roots.
It just takes time and is incredibly noisy! And obviously need to wear eye protection etc. Attached a few pictures below to give you an idea...
And yes, @hogweed, that'd be about right. Double checked the price with the tree surgeon (for felling) - am going to need to do some sums. I'm rather concerned about the increase in traffic noise, but I do think it's only a matter of time before they come down by themselves...
Very nervous.