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Removing ivy roots from privet hedge

chrisharper274chrisharper274 Posts: 3
in The potting shed
I have an old privet hedge and am going to remove as many of the ivy roots as I can. Some of the roots are quite thick and concerned these are the are hedge. How can i distinguish ivy roots from privet root? Many thanks

Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I'm not sure that you can. If you dig under the hedge, you stand the risk of damaging the privet hedge. I would just cut off the stems as low as you can and pull the ivy off.
    Ivy is notoriously hard to kill.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • chrisharper274chrisharper274 Posts: 3
    Thank you, there a huge number of roots just below the surface, so these are the ones I can remove.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Ivy has quite 'hairy' roots and stems. Quite different from the stems of privet  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • chrisharper274chrisharper274 Posts: 3
    That is very helpful, thank you. I have been removing them and they are hairy, very reassuring, thank you. 
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