getting rid of a mean and nasty hedge

kate2008

15 years ago

I moved into my house just a few weeks ago and find that a hedge grown on my property line is preventing access to my back yard. The heat pump lies in the narrow space between the hedge and the house. Apparently access to the back has been to drive the riding mower over my neighbor's lawn to my back gate. The neighbor has been pretty nice about allowing this travel over her immaculate grass.

I want to remove the hedge which is holly, sharp-prickly and in the way. My neighbor would like to see oncoming traffic as she backs out onto the street. Her husband is concerned that pulling out the mature hedge would rip the edges of his perfect lawn and might create a string of holes or a trench that would not be properly filled. His grass would suffer. He mentioned that he cut down a crape myrtle that had been planted too close to his foundation and he is successfully combating new growth with stump killer.

Can I cut the hedge off at the ground level and put stump killer on the remains to prevent it from growing again?

Kate

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Comments (4)

minibim
15 years ago
The answer to your question is yes but..... I would be a little insulted that my new neighbor doesn't think I'm capable of filling in a hole or a trench. I also realize some people are ridiculously anal about their lawn but for crying out loud, should a small blade of grass be relocated while trying to remove the hedges, I'm sure it will grow back again.

Bottomline, if you want to plant something new in the area, it will be easier with the stump and roots gone.
kate2008
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you for your reply. I don't feel insulted by my neighbor's lack of trust in my ability to do a good job. He just met me. He can't help being anal about the care of his garden and lawn. Thank goodness he is among those who keep the area beautiful. Some of our neighbors let us down badly. This neighbor has pruned this unwanted hedge for years on his side without complaint and has allowed the yardman access over his perfect lawn to cut the grass he can't see on the other side of a privacy fence. I would like to work with him amicably.
I will try cutting the hedge at ground level and use the stump killer. I have room to plant crepe myrtles and ground cover between the stump line and the driveway even with the hedge roots in the ground. Thank you for your reassurance that this method can be used.
Kate
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solstice98
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I would start with cutting it all back to just a foot or so tall. See if you really want it all gone. You may realize once you cut it back that you miss some of it. If that's the case, just let those portions grow back; it will fill in faster than you think possible.

For the parts you really don't want, dig them up roots and all and fill in with topsoil (cheap) and mulch. I don't think you need to deal with stump killer. Don't worry about your neighbor - if he's this rude when you first move in, he's not likely to turn out to be your best friend anyway!

If any of it does start to sprout later from a left over piece of root, just blast it with Round-Up.
MPH101
15 years ago
along with the stump killer try covering the base of the stump at ground level. I've used buckets turned upside down over the stump. Deprived of sunlight new growth ceases. Works well unless the plant suckers.

getting rid of a mean and nasty hedge

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minibim

kate2008
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getting rid of a mean and nasty hedge

Comments (4)

minibim

kate2008Original Author

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solstice98

MPH101

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kate2008
Original Author