I can totally relate. We inherited several large conifers in our medium size suburban garden and even though I never want to remove trees, it was obvious that was the only option and only regret it wasn't done as soon as we moved in. So all the conifers are gone since last year and the effect has been an amazing amount of light coming into our garden (NW facing) to help everything grow better and more light into the house as well. I'm now a bit more overlooked but the benefits really outweigh and I don't care anymore. My garden looks infinitely better and we can see more sky! I can relate about the cost as well and there is no way I would be able to afford to maintain them at a smaller size even if it was possible. There are so many affordable options to grow to disguise the fence and offer reasonable screening. Honestly if you make that area into a lovely new bed or extend your lawn, you'll be so pleased with the view you won't worry about anything else! Good luck with your decision.
Thank you for going to post examples for me to compare... The suggestions of replacing the conifers with another type of screening are great, but to be honest we are talking about several years growth to reach a good height for privacy. If I would not be so overlooked the decision to cut to stump would be easier of course. Last night I decided to cut to stump, this morning I am confused and indecisive again! Thank you all.
We had to cut back next doors conifers which were encroaching across out driveway .We now have to live with brown sticks instead of a green hedge .Conifers don’t grow back green so cutting them back is not an option .Your choice is simple ,get rid completely or just get them topped every couple of years .
To be honest, l think you should ask the tree surgeon to take a look prior to making the final decision. He or she may find something wrong with one or both conifers, which basically takes the decision out of your hands. I can fully appreciate how hard it is, but personally l would have them removed. I think for a week or so you would feel like you're living in a goldfish bowl, but the increase in light and planting opportunities would make up for it. Good luck with whatever you decide, and being a nosy person, could you post some photos of the "after" results please ?
One other point to consider is that although conifers are shallow rooted, their roots can extend as far as three times the radius of their canopy. I had a tree like yours removed from my garden when I moved here 9 years ago as it was much closer to my house and blocking off all the afternoon sun. A year or two later a problem with blocked drains revealed that the remaining fine roots of the conifer were the main cause of over £2500.00 worth of damage. Luckily my insurers were quick to deal with my claim and the majority of the main drainage pipe was removed and replaced. In hindsight, if I was buying a property with a tree nearby, I'd get a drains survey carried out in addition to the normal survey!
Yes, I will come back and post photos after job is done. To be honest I think I would prefer looking at brown sticks rather than being so overlooked. I have just been out and battled through the mass of branches...lots of brown. Basically I was more interested in the condition of the fence behind. Two panels seem at slightly different levels, the other which borders the next property is much shorter. This is on an odd angle and looks like the neighbours has simply pushed it in without securing it as a 'make do' job. I have had problems in the past with this neighbours dog getting in to my garden, for this reason I have had at times had to return him. Her garden is badly maintained instead of properly resolving the issue where her dog was digging down under the fence post, she was just barricading the hole with bits of scrap. Another worry!
I might be over-cautious but I'm starting to be a bit suspicious about your tree surgeon, wanting you to tell them exactly what to do if they haven't been to look at the trees first and given you advice. As a minimum make sure that they have the proper liability insurance. Our council has this advice about tree surgeons https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/planning/choosing-a-tree-surgeon - yours might have something similar.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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I can relate about the cost as well and there is no way I would be able to afford to maintain them at a smaller size even if it was possible.
There are so many affordable options to grow to disguise the fence and offer reasonable screening. Honestly if you make that area into a lovely new bed or extend your lawn, you'll be so pleased with the view you won't worry about anything else! Good luck with your decision.
The suggestions of replacing the conifers with another type of screening are great, but to be honest we are talking about several years growth to reach a good height for privacy.
If I would not be so overlooked the decision to cut to stump would be easier of course.
Last night I decided to cut to stump, this morning I am confused and indecisive again!
Thank you all.
I can fully appreciate how hard it is, but personally l would have them removed.
I think for a week or so you would feel like you're living in a goldfish bowl, but the increase in light and planting opportunities would make up for it.
Good luck with whatever you decide, and being a nosy person, could you post some photos of the "after" results please ?
if you cut them back ...
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1068294/to-hide-fence-and-dead-leylandii#latest
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Take you time and consider which option is best for YOU.
I think the only other good option is complete removal.
To be honest I think I would prefer looking at brown sticks rather than being so overlooked.
I have just been out and battled through the mass of branches...lots of brown. Basically I was more interested in the condition of the fence behind.
Two panels seem at slightly different levels, the other which borders the next property is much shorter. This is on an odd angle and looks like the neighbours has simply pushed it in without securing it as a 'make do' job.
I have had problems in the past with this neighbours dog getting in to my garden, for this reason I have had at times had to return him. Her garden is badly maintained instead of properly resolving the issue where her dog was digging down under the fence post, she was just barricading the hole with bits of scrap. Another worry!