Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

replace leylandii

Kate the DragonKate the Dragon Posts: 20
in Problem solving
Hi, I'm looking for suggestions. My new garden has a leylandii half height hedge, maybe 1.8 metres tall, but with established 8-10cm trunks; probably to conceal the elderly little greenhouse and veg patch behind. We have trimmed it and even felled one, but I detest leylandii, which irritate my skin and it impoverishes the adjacent shrubs.  I could continue to cut them off at the base, since the roots won't regrow, but have an idea that maybe I could remove the green growth and use the trunks as support for climbers; this might be a quicker concealment than planting a whole new hedge of better species.  I don't wish to pay for a stump grinder and the roots are no doubt entwined with the purple elder and philadelphus, currently suffering from the leylandii's proximity.  
Any suggestions?  The hedge is on the north side of the other shrubs, so they would be a bit more exposed, but I live near the Chilterns, so southern UK.

Posts

  • Kate the DragonKate the Dragon Posts: 20
    I also have my fingers crossed for the survival of a previously lovely little red acer. It is in an exposed position, at the centre of the lawn and no doubt didn't like the dry winter. But it had grown its tender new leaves and was looking healthy; then we had a hard frost overnight, all the leaves crisped up and fell off. I have cut a larger circle out of the grass, watered and mulched it, so now all I can do is wait and hope. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Kate the Dragon Acers hate an exposed site and most prefer some shade. Do you have a photo of your hedge it will help.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    It may depend on location Suze, as we have an acer in an open NE facing front lawn, as does the lady opposite, and they're doing great. We're south Cotswolds and do have a micro climate due to the hills and river, so maybe that's how we've got away with it! 😄
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Slow-worm I think that is exactly it micro climate. I grow Melianthus Major it has been in a border for 5 years at the base of a south facing wall shouldn't really be possible in Notts.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    The earth around the leylandii will be dry, impoverished and full of roots. It will need a lot of digging and improving with compost to make it plantable. I don't know how long the leafless trunks will last before rotting, I suppose they would be like wooden fenceposts.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Kate the DragonKate the Dragon Posts: 20
    I think that you're right, Busy-Lizzie. It might be better to cut off the leylandii at the base and concentrate on watering and mulching the other plants. It rained last night here, but I'm sure that the other shrubs and perennials would be relieved not to be out competed by the leylandii.  On a lighter note, I just inspected the acer and it is looking a bit better. I wouldn't have chosen to plant it there, but it was already established when we bought this house last year and it is too old now to transplant. There are signs of new leaves starting, so I'm hopeful of recovery.
    Overall, I'm quite pleased with the garden, but some of the shrubs are now getting too big for their space and will have to be edited. It is going to be an ongoing battle with the overpowering Japanese anemones and ground elder from next door, but I intend to concentrate on making the house end neater and encouraging a wilder end.
    Now 70 years old, with arthritis, so I may have to get some help with the heavier tasks.
    I'd hate to be without a garden, especially during lockdown.
    Thanks for everyone's helpful suggestions.
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    edited June 2022
    I dug out a mature leylandii hedge, then stuck the trunks back in the ground as climber supports before the new edible hedge got going.
    It did occur to me afterwards that I could have ring barked them at the base, left them and used them as supports. If I was to do that, I'd want to build up the soil height a couple of feet with a mix rich in humus to make up for the poor soil around the leylandii roots...
Sign In or Register to comment.