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Leylandii Hedge Problem

darach.fitzdarach.fitz Posts: 6
in Problem solving
Hello, I need advice on a Leylandii hedge that surrounds a property.

Basically the hedge  hasn't been properly cared for over the last 10/15 years. It has been trimmed but there are parts where the green has been cut fully away leaving dead brown branches  and other parts where Ivy has taken hold of the full center and either killed areas or worked its way to the outside. 

I have two main questions. 

- The brown areas look very dead and i doubt any green will ever come again, is there any way to fill these in with other plants? Anything the same colour of green would do really. 

- The left hand side hedge row as you go up the drive will be taken fully out I think (Its already been started). Ideally a new hedge (different variety) will be planted. Do the trunks and stumps all need to be fully removed to do this? I was thinking if possible to leave the center trunks plant a new hedge around them, or is this ridiculous? 

Some photos below, thanks for any advice. 

- A new home owner with a very annoying looking hedge. 


Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Personally, I would get rid of the whole lot.  Nothing will grow to fit the color and texture of the brown areas.. it will always be an eyesore.  

    Best to get the stumps ground out and a load of fresh topsoil for planting the new hedge.  Your future hedge will be much better for it.  

    That aside, if cost is a huge issue.. I would be tempted to have the trunks cut as close to the ground as possible.. then bring in loads of well rotted manure mixed with top soil to make a raised hedge.  Get in small bare root shrubs/trees of your choice this spring, and plant those between where the stumps are (mark them as you cover them) in the raised up soil.  By the time the shrubs/trees need plenty of root room the stumps should be fairly rotted away.  You'll also need to take care watering.. a soaker hose is best because a hose pipe will wash away the raised soil.  
    Utah, USA.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'm not one of those. " all leylandii should be destroyed" folk ( and there are many of them ) but I think that one is beyond redemption. 
    I'd have it all out and start again .
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree - that can't be recovered.
    Bare root season starts in November, so if you want to take it out, it's worth keeping that in mind, and working towards planting then. Much cheaper, and you can plant reasonable sized whips which will establish well over the winter and into spring.
    You wouldn't need to take the trunks out completely to do that, as already said. 

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



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I agree with all the above ............ wouldn't a close trimmed holly hedge look great there  B)

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





  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Dovefromabove said:
    I agree with all the above ............ wouldn't a close trimmed holly hedge look great there  B)
    I'd agree with Holly, or perhaps beech or hornbeam. It doesn't look like the busiest road in the world so I can't imagine that privacy is the biggest issue for you. 

    Keep us informed on your decision
    Devon.
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    edited July 2020
    Holly looks nice, but the prickly leaves are a nuisance, even when rotting down they are still painful. If an evergreen hedge is desired then go for Yew. Few pests, can be trimmed to any size and reasonably fast growing.
    If you do decide to remove the Leylandii, cut off all branches and leave a stump of about 4 feet tall. Once the roots are cut around it, then you have a good lever to use. We have just removed 42 metres of it.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Same here, we removed 100’ run of them,  chop down then using pick axe or Mattock and strong secateurs the whole lot came out.  They’d been in the ground for 28 years So well established, wasn’t a bad job, just couldn’t do it in day😀
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • darach.fitzdarach.fitz Posts: 6
    Thanks very much for all the advice guys. Long and short is they've got to go then. 

    I think my next step is to clear all the branches leaving just the center trunks and then make a decision as to whether to take them fully out stumps and all before looking to plant in bare root season. I'll hopefully have some time soon to take a week or so off work and get this done. I'll no doubt have some more updates as I go along! 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Amen
  • darach.fitzdarach.fitz Posts: 6
    Hi Guys, 

    I have a new post/update on this:

    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1046986/leylandi-trunk-removal-planting-new-hedge#latest

    Thanks
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