Has anyone had a mature Leylandii hedge removed?

[PurpleFrog]

We are contemplating getting quotes for the removal of a mature Leylandii hedge in our back garden. It is 12-15 metres long and about 8/9 feet high, but is quite wide and is gradually encroaching on the rest of the garden. We lopped a lot off the height about 3 years ago, but it has grown back again. Maintenance is time-consuming and awkward due to the width. There is a panel fence behind it so it is no longer needed to mark the boundary.

Will this cost a fortune? Are we mad to think about it? And how effective (and costly) is stump-grinding?

Thank you.

I shall watch this thread with interest, as DH & a friend cut down the gynormous leylandii which grew round two sides of our garden, about 3 months ago, but we can't get the stumps out, and don't know what to do to proceed any further.

It's been nice actually getting sunlight into the garden over the summer, but now I want to get things tidied up....

Get three quotes and decide from there. Leylandii are monsters and were popular from the 1970's thanks to the likes of Percy Thrower. They have been the cause of misery to suburban dewellers ever since. Whilst giving privacy beyond a panel fence, they block out light for the neighbouring properties. At this stage it will be a cost effective move to cut it right down, treating it from there is a realitively easy diy job imo. Don't let them grow any bigger or you are adding to your cost!

Ours cost about £1000 to get them all out (they were as high as the house and went all the way dow the garden), inclduing the stumps, and chopped up ready to use for firewood. It made a wonderful difference to the garden.

I'd take yours out yourself if they're so low, and then get someone else in to remove the stumps.

We removed a 20m "hedge" (row) of about 10 trees which were around 11m tall and it was approx £800 but then another £200-300 to get the stumps out as out tree surgeon didnt want to do this (he is a bit lightweight!).

We also had them chopped for firewood even though we didnt yet have a woodburner (still don't!).

Get some quotes and go for it, our house and garden were transformed as soon as they were out!

They won't regrow from the stumps so we just got our tree surgeons to cut the stumps off at ground level and are planning to leave them in to rot down over time. We have 20+ stumps and it was going to be £50 per stump to get them ground out . . .

Thanks for your replies. Most of the costs quoted here don't seem too bad, at all. I can't remember how many trees there are - we squeezed behind the hedge when we reduced its height 3 years ago as the back face of the hedge had been cut close to the trunks and it was easier to access the trunks at that side. The trunks are probably 8"-10" in diameter at ground level. It is definitely a chainsaw job.

£50 a stump for removal is a bit steep. I would like to get the stumps out, though, as I hope to plant stuff there. Maybe I should just think about a raised bed, instead?

Looks like I should just get 3 quotes then decide.

It is easier to winch the stubs out if they leave a good 4-6ft, it would cost less than getting them ground out with a stump grinder, which is slow and expensive (in part as the machinery and insurance are pricey). I would deffo remove the stumps if you want to re-plant.
I would mention this when getting your quotes.

We don't have brilliant access to the back garden for heavy machinery. I assume that winching out stumps involves cutting round the roots close to the stump first? Otherwise, I can just imagine our lawn and the fence being pulled up as well. Looks like I should also find out what a stump-grinder looks like.... if we can't get one round our house, we may not have any choice about what to do with the stumps.

No if you are going to winch out the stumps you need to leave 4-6ft as I said, if you cut them to ground level there is no leverage.

Pannacotta - you misunderstood me. I was worried about the stumps pulling up all the roots.... and therefore the fence and the lawn. Do the roots just snap off, or do they have to cut round the stump first to cut through the roots?

Think you are better off talking to a professional really, was just trying to be helpful...

Pannacotta - you have been very helpful - thank you. I am just trying to find out a bit more about potential costs, options and drawbacks before talking to any professionals.

You can slowly 'kill' a stump by drilling into the stump and pouring Jeyes Fluid into the hole. The stump takes about two years to decompose.