Topic: Digging Out Laurel Roots

[Digitalis]

I have cut down some laurels to just above ground level.

Laurels:



The intention is to dig them out completely and replant the area with something a little more interesting.

The problem is that the roots are very woody. I've tried using all the usual tools but I just cannot budge them. How do you get out thick, woody roots/stumps

[landimad]

I would use a grubber to remove all of them.
But that is a price worth paying if you do not like hard labour.
Failing that the old matock axe and spit will be the only way of doing this. :P

[Digitalis]

Would weedkiller help out in this situation at all?

[Eristic]

You need a spade, an axe and patience. Dig round the area excavating as you go then axe through roots as revealed severing as far away from the stump as practical first then chopping it free at the stump end. It's easy enough but it is a case of method over madness.

For future reference, do not cut the trunk down until after you have removed the stump.

[Robert_Brenchley]

A mattock would be the best tool for this.

[landimad]

I will say that the brute force of a good friend with a landrover does come in handy for removal of stumps.
I took out a whole lot of these with my old bus once and it made light work of them.
By the end the neighbours were asking me to do the same for their conifer hedges.
Looks as if I might have started a trend. ;D

[Digitalis]

I will say that the brute force of a good friend with a landrover does come in handy for removal of stumps.
I took out a whole lot of these with my old bus once and it made light work of them.
By the end the neighbours were asking me to do the same for their conifer hedges.
Looks as if I might have started a trend. ;D

Yeah, my neighbour suggested thatr. Only problem is they are located at the end of my back garden, and I can't gain access to it with my car.

 ???