Garden Help.

[Dale.]

I'm no gardener, I keep ours tidy(apart from the wild bit) but I'm not into borders and pristine lawns. Maybe one day when I have the time but for now our garden is functional rather than ornamental.

This means that my knowledge of plants, shrubs, flowers is limited as it's something I've never researched.

I do know though when something isn't right.

I planted some dwarf conifers a few years ago, they were about a foot tall at the time. I planted them to give us some privacy at a fence we share with a neighbour. The conifers seemed ideal, as they were quite fast growing and wouldn't grow any higher than about 8 feet. Even at only 8 feet, that would've been a little high for me and I would have kept them in check to just above the fence, about 6 feet. It was the spread I was more interested in, not so much the height.

I planted 7 conifers, about 2 feet apart, which I though over time would give me a good dense, privacy hedge. One of the conifers turned yellow and died during that summer. The remaining 6 though flourished and over the last 3 years, have made varying progress to the height I wanted.

This last few weeks though, all 6 have mysteriously turned yelow and to me, they now look dead. I haven't pulled them up yet as I'm hoping there might be some life in them, enough to recover but I fear not.

I'm at a loss to explain their sudden demise and was wondering if any experinced gardeners here might have a thought?

Also, I still intend to have a privacy hedge planted at that spot, so any recomendations on potential hedge plants, that don't get too out of hand would be cool.

Thanks.

 

[Gav.]

Hot summers and not enough water, they are very thirsty trees, could be lack of Iron in soil too?

I don't think they'll regrow, unless there's green inside, old wood won't reshoot.

I'm just a fool who messes about in the garden I could be talking utter muck..

Are the gravel boards deep in the ground, stoney layer underneath the soil? These could be restricting root growth as they spread wide.

EDIT - Yew hedges are lovely, not cheap option though

 

[Nod]

Is anything growing in that bed? And how well do you get on with the neighbours on that side?

 

[Gav.]

Dog urine could kill them, my neighbours dog killed mine.

Just a thought

 

[Dale.]

Hot summers and not enough water, they are very thirsty trees, could be lack of Iron in soil too?

I don't think they'll regrow, unless there's green inside, old wood won't reshoot.

I'm just a fool who messes about in the garden I could be talking utter muck..

Are the gravel boards deep in the ground, stoney layer underneath the soil? These could be restricting root growth as they spread wide.

EDIT - Yew hedges are lovely, not cheap option though

Cheers Gav. Food for thought. The drainage isn't great there to be honest, I was thinking possibly too much water but I don't know for sure, so your theory is just as sound.

There are glimmers of life in one or two of them, so maybe not all over. I will leave them for now and see if they do start to recover.

I will look into yews.

Is anything growing in that bed? And how well do you get on with the neighbours on that side?

Not in that area, but a bit further along (to the right), the Flaming Lucifer has just emerged. I will check though as to the left, there should be Bleeding Hearts showing by now.

As for the neighbours, let's just say they are odd folk, hence the privacy hedge.

Dog urine could kill them, my neighbours dog killed mine.

Just a thought

I don't think it's that, in this case anyway, she's too busy killing my grass with said urine.

 

[Gav.]

Try feeding them with seedweed fertiliser of some sort to give them a little boost.

 

[Dale.]

I'll look into that Gav.

I've just looked at that bed, there is very little life in it, the odd weed and one or 2 Aquelegia shoots. It's normally a nightmare with weed/grass by now.

 

[Tigger.ufo]

Are you sure the neighbours haven't done anything?

 

[Cobra]

I'll put money on the fact that It would have been the harsh winter that killed them.
And put money on the fact that they won't recover.
Conifers can take over 6 months to "die" they remain green for a good while and then slowly die and go yellow.
Exactly the same thing happened to mine just recently.
The bottom, as you noticed is brown, they are dead from the ground up, while the uppermost parts are the last bits to shed the needles.

If you want something fast-growing, go for laylandii, they are reasonably cheap, but keep a close eye on them, once they get established, they will get out of hand in not too many years.
Laurel is also a good choice, Portuguese laurel, has smaller leaves, Cherry Laurel, has rather large leaves, and may grow a couple of feet per year once established.

I buy hedging plants etc from here. Reasonably priced, and good quality.

Evergreen Hedging Plants | Evergreen Shrubs | Hedges Direct

Browse evergreen hedging for year-round greenery, privacy, and structure. Perfect for low-maintenance gardens. Free UK Delivery Available.

www.hedgesdirect.co.uk

 

[lindsay]

+1 for laurel, our neighbours planted about 8 that were about 3-4ft high across the front when they moved in about 3 years ago, they are now about 7ft high and quite a thick hedge right across about 10ft or frontage.

 

[ancient_mariner]

Leylandii may turn into a continuous battle.

If the bed would normally be a riot of growth then I reckon either your modifications have made it a bad place for plants or (more likely) your neighbours poisoned them.

 

[Dale.]

Are you sure the neighbours haven't done anything?

I did have my suspicions, still have to a point but proving it would be difficult. Even if I found something amiss, like chemicals in the soil for example, proving it was malicious would be difficult. I really hope I never find that out tbh.

I'll put money on the fact that It would have been the harsh winter that killed them.
And put money on the fact that they won't recover.
Conifers can take over 6 months to "die" they remain green for a good while and then slowly die and go yellow.
Exactly the same thing happened to mine just recently.
The bottom, as you noticed is brown, they are dead from the ground up, while the uppermost parts are the last bits to shed the needles.

If you want something fast-growing, go for laylandii, they are reasonably cheap, but keep a close eye on them, once they get established, they will get out of hand in not too many years.
Laurel is also a good choice, Portuguese laurel, has smaller leaves, Cherry Laurel, has rather large leaves, and may grow a couple of feet per year once established.

I buy hedging plants etc from here. Reasonably priced, and good quality.

Evergreen Hedging Plants | Evergreen Shrubs | Hedges Direct

Browse evergreen hedging for year-round greenery, privacy, and structure. Perfect for low-maintenance gardens. Free UK Delivery Available.

www.hedgesdirect.co.uk

We did have a week back in January, when temperatures didn't get above 0, even during the day and -11 at night. Sounds like it could be a similar scenario to yours Chris.

I will have a look at the link in a bit.

+1 for laurel, our neighbours planted about 8 that were about 3-4ft high across the front when they moved in about 3 years ago, they are now about 7ft high and quite a thick hedge right across about 10ft or frontage.

Cheers Lindsay, I will look into Laurel.

Leylandii may turn into a continuous battle.

If the bed would normally be a riot of growth then I reckon either your modifications have made it a bad place for plants or (more likely) your neighbours poisoned them.

I really hope the neighbours had nothing to do with it, that's a line they don't want to cross.

 

[AgentOrange76]

I'll put money on the fact that It would have been the harsh winter that killed them.
And put money on the fact that they won't recover.
Conifers can take over 6 months to "die" they remain green for a good while and then slowly die and go yellow.
Exactly the same thing happened to mine just recently.
The bottom, as you noticed is brown, they are dead from the ground up, while the uppermost parts are the last bits to shed the needles.

If you want something fast-growing, go for laylandii, they are reasonably cheap, but keep a close eye on them, once they get established, they will get out of hand in not too many years.
Laurel is also a good choice, Portuguese laurel, has smaller leaves, Cherry Laurel, has rather large leaves, and may grow a couple of feet per year once established.

I buy hedging plants etc from here. Reasonably priced, and good quality.

Evergreen Hedging Plants | Evergreen Shrubs | Hedges Direct

Browse evergreen hedging for year-round greenery, privacy, and structure. Perfect for low-maintenance gardens. Free UK Delivery Available.

www.hedgesdirect.co.uk

Exactly this, conifers once brown will not turn green again. As an evergreen the plant will have being respiring through the winter but we had 10 days where the temperature didnt rise above zero this winter, what tends to happen is that the root ball freezes and the plant cant take up enough moisture. We are still having plants die that 2 months ago looked fine, the warm spell seems to have caused plants that may have been stressed to die off.

Never plant leylandii, if you really must use a conifer hedge use Thuja they are trim much better and dont get out of hand so easily. Beech makes a lovely hedge as does Yew if you can be patient. for some thing less neat Photnia, viburnum eleagnus and Euonymus works well

 

[Cobra]

Never plant leylandii,

I know they are a nightmare for your neighbours, but I doubt that Dale is bothered about that

if you really must use a conifer hedge use Thuja

I have that out the front, and yes it's much easier to control.

 

[Tigger.ufo]

Dale, have you considered bamboo screening rather than a hedge? It looks better than your fence and gives privacy without the width. Not reeds though as they don't last long!

 

[Cobra]

have you considered bamboo

The problem with bamboo is the price, it's outrageous these days, and takes a long time to become established.
However, once it settles in, the growth is quite rapid.

 

[Tigger.ufo]

The problem with bamboo is the price, it's outrageous these days, and takes a long time to become established.
However, once it settles in, the growth is quite rapid.

Not talking about growing it! Bloody invasive stuff. I meant the screening rolls made of bamboo.

Like this https://www.ukfarmsupplies.co.uk/acatalog/Bamboo_Screening_.html

 

[Cobra]

Not talking about growing it! Bloody invasive stuff.

Ah OK
I have the clump forming variety along next doors' garage wall, which is part of my boundary fence.
That doesn't go far it just forms errr clumps that can be split / divided and replanted.

 

[Dale.]

Exactly this, conifers once brown will not turn green again. As an evergreen the plant will have being respiring through the winter but we had 10 days where the temperature didnt rise above zero this winter, what tends to happen is that the root ball freezes and the plant cant take up enough moisture. We are still having plants die that 2 months ago looked fine, the warm spell seems to have caused plants that may have been stressed to die off.

Never plant leylandii, if you really must use a conifer hedge use Thuja they are trim much better and dont get out of hand so easily. Beech makes a lovely hedge as does Yew if you can be patient. for some thing less neat Photnia, viburnum eleagnus and Euonymus works well

The theory about it being a cold winter seems to be the more viable one. I'm sad the conifers have been lost but I'm happier it seems to be natural causes, rather than interference. The only other thing is that there is very little other growth in that bed. I will go with the natural theory and put it down to that, as I really don't want a neighbourly dispute to that extent.

but I doubt that Dale is bothered about that

Dale, have you considered bamboo screening rather than a hedge? It looks better than your fence and gives privacy without the width. Not reeds though as they don't last long!

I did buy some for a bit in the front garden, although it was cheap. I learned my lesson with the cheap stuff, hardly anything to it. On the label inside, it said 'for decorative purposes only.
I will look into the better stuff over the weekend. Thanks for the link.

Ah OK
I have the clump forming variety along next doors' garage wall, which is part of my boundary fence.
That doesn't go far it just forms errr clumps that can be split / divided and replanted.

I have 2 of the clump variety, they don't seem to wander. One is now quite a nice bush, about 6 feet tall. I will check it for spread though as it's about 2 feet from the fence and I don't want it spreading beyond that. One of the other clumps is the street side of the fence and pokes through our fence. It would be easy to trim.

On the bamboo theme, a resident in the street over from us planted a bamboo but I had no idea what it was. If I remember right, it used to flower too? After 3 years or so, the guy
removed the bamboo from his garden. I gave it no more thought. The next year, I noticed shoots in our street, along the boundary fence with the next street. The bamboo would seem to die off over winter, just leaving tree like stumps. The following year, there were shoots in our garden and even some poking through the monoblock street out front. It had spread vastly, from the next street into ours, onto my front lawn and the neighbour's opposite. The speed that it started to spread over those 2 years was terrifying and when I found shoots within inches of the house, I knew I had to step in. I basically cut it all down, so effectively de-leafing it. My theory was this would starve it of light and it has worked. there are currently no signs of it in our front lawn or the neighbour's opposite and just dead, stump like things were it established out side of the fence, in the street. I managed to remove one of the stumps last year just by kicking it, I'm hoping the remaining ones will be lose enough to remove this year.

That's put me off living bamboo but the slower spreading varieties mght be more useful.

 

[JohnC6]

Looking at the fence it would seem that it's yours unless the neighbour put it up just on their side of the boundary.From your back door looking to your right the boundary is usually yours.

To save yourself a lot of pruning and experiencing the sort of demise you have now I'd be replacing that fence with what they call close-board slats. Ie. no gaps. Our neighbour replaced his confers on the far side (so not our side..which is ours) and when he saw our close board fencing which we put up after he did his he wished he'd gone for that. He paid a silly amount for fancy trellis-type pattern and when I've been in our other neighbour's garden (two doors away) I can see through easily. Poor privacy. He's just replaced three panels because they are flimsy.

As an example here's what I mean https://kudosfencing.com/fence-inst...MIl4yVp9Tg_gIVEJpoCR376g3REAAYAiAAEgI4b_D_BwE

 

[JonathanRyan]

Looking at the fence it would seem that it's yours unless the neighbour put it up just on their side of the boundary.From your back door looking to your right the boundary is usually yours.

Though the other rule of thumb is it's theirs because fair face is towards the OP Boundaries are complicated....

As other people have said - those conifers are dead. Whatever killed them (possibly lack of water or wind) will kill the next lot you put in too Why not swap to a native hedge? It will cost you more, take longer to establish and be a little effort to look after each year. But 100% it will be worth it. It will change through the seasons, support all manner of wildlife and once established will last a lifetime.

Conifers are a desert. Blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel, dog rose and whatever else you fancy will be a joy.

 

[Dale.]

Looking at the fence it would seem that it's yours unless the neighbour put it up just on their side of the boundary.From your back door looking to your right the boundary is usually yours.

To save yourself a lot of pruning and experiencing the sort of demise you have now I'd be replacing that fence with what they call close-board slats. Ie. no gaps. Our neighbour replaced his confers on the far side (so not our side..which is ours) and when he saw our close board fencing which we put up after he did his he wished he'd gone for that. He paid a silly amount for fancy trellis-type pattern and when I've been in our other neighbour's garden (two doors away) I can see through easily. Poor privacy. He's just replaced three panels because they are flimsy.

As an example here's what I mean https://kudosfencing.com/fence-inst...MIl4yVp9Tg_gIVEJpoCR376g3REAAYAiAAEgI4b_D_BwE

Though the other rule of thumb is it's theirs because fair face is towards the OP Boundaries are complicated....

As other people have said - those conifers are dead. Whatever killed them (possibly lack of water or wind) will kill the next lot you put in too Why not swap to a native hedge? It will cost you more, take longer to establish and be a little effort to look after each year. But 100% it will be worth it. It will change through the seasons, support all manner of wildlife and once established will last a lifetime.

Conifers are a desert. Blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel, dog rose and whatever else you fancy will be a joy.

Fence ownership isn't something that I've really thought about, I've always presumed it was shared. For context, it's actually effectively a border between streets, us being the last house in our street. Over the fence is another street, maybe even another postcode, I'm not sure. The houses in the other street were built in the early 80s, ours was built after in 2004 and the fence was erected at the same time. Apparently, there was never a fence there until this one went up, when our house was built.

The previous neighbour always asked me if he could put decorative items on his side but the current owners have never asked me and they have put a lot of things on it their side, including trellises etc, at one point, even a washing line. The washing line didn't last long, for some reason, it must've been a temporary thing until they got posts up.

The loss of the conifers isn't too sore for me, with hindsight, they may not have been the best choice, I should maybe have gone for something more natural and native. They were cheap to buy, I think £5 each, if I remember right and promised us privacy in a couple of years.

I have considered the slats and closing them off. I have to be careful though as we get really high winds that batter that fence during the storms. I have thought about running 2 battens, top and bottom, then staggering new slats over the gaps but keeping the spaces, as well as the battens keeping the new slats off the original fence, which should allow the wind through.

 

[JohnC6]

Fence ownership isn't something that I've really thought about, I've always presumed it was shared. For context, it's actually effectively a border between streets, us being the last house in our street. Over the fence is another street, maybe even another postcode, I'm not sure. The houses in the other street were built in the early 80s, ours was built after in 2004 and the fence was erected at the same time. Apparently, there was never a fence there until this one went up, when our house was built.

The previous neighbour always asked me if he could put decorative items on his side but the current owners have never asked me and they have put a lot of things on it their side, including trellises etc, at one point, even a washing line. The washing line didn't last long, for some reason, it must've been a temporary thing until they got posts up.

The loss of the conifers isn't too sore for me, with hindsight, they may not have been the best choice, I should maybe have gone for something more natural and native. They were cheap to buy, I think £5 each, if I remember right and promised us privacy in a couple of years.

I have considered the slats and closing them off. I have to be careful though as we get really high winds that batter that fence during the storms. I have thought about running 2 battens, top and bottom, then staggering new slats over the gaps but keeping the spaces, as well as the battens keeping the new slats off the original fence, which should allow the wind through.

What you've described,Dale, has confused me. I assumed you are in your garden looking at the back of your house/bungalow ..I say bungalow assuming it's the same as your neighbour's in the shot. The street you mentioned confused me. We get strong winds here and when we had the panels put up the posts (every 6' ) were concrete. Since then, I've watched neighbours' fences blow down in gale-force winds. I have a plan that includes who owns which fence. I didn't want to go into it as it wasn't relevent but JRyan pointed out that the right side from the back door isn't always your fence and he's right. Infact, that is the case with ours..the right side is ours but we also own most of the left side fence.,too. If you want to think about a fence then check out the building plan. You've had good advice on which type of hedge to get so that might suit you better.

 

[JohnC6]

Though the other rule of thumb is it's theirs because fair face is towards the OP Boundaries are complicated....

We had both sides fenced. Up until then it was conifers and I recall telling the men that I assume I have to put the good side (fair face) to my neighbour. His answer was "that used to be the case but no longer. You're paying for it..(it was about £2000) so you have the good side and that's how it's gone up and no complaints. I felt a bit uncomfortable but it's a quality fence so looks good their side,too.

 

[Dale.]

What you've described,Dale, has confused me. I assumed you are in your garden looking at the back of your house/bungalow ..I say bungalow assuming it's the same as your neighbour's in the shot. The street you mentioned confused me. We get strong winds here and when we had the panels put up the posts (every 6' ) were concrete. Since then, I've watched neighbours' fences blow down in gale-force winds. I have a plan that includes who owns which fence. I didn't want to go into it as it wasn't relevent but JRyan pointed out that the right side from the back door isn't always your fence and he's right. Infact, that is the case with ours..the right side is ours but we also own most of the left side fence.,too. If you want to think about a fence then check out the building plan. You've had good advice on which type of hedge to get so that might suit you better.

The fence in the picture is to the left of our house. I'm standing with my back to our house taking it, near our back door.

I could dig the deeds out and find out, although I'm not too concerned about the fence ownership, unless soemthing goes wrong with it.

I have a few options now but I am liking the idea of a natural, native hedge.

 

[Dale.]

My thoughts are turning to a natural, native hedge. I'm yet to decide on variety. I may even go for 2 types, we'll see.

I will obviously have to raise the dead trees and get rid of them, a trip to the dump probably beckons. I will check them for nests too.

I just remembered, our previous neighbour had Honeysuckle on that fence and it was quite dense and provided decent privacy, not that we really needed it with the previous owners of that property.

Is Honeysuckle a viable species? Just a thought.

 

[Dale.]

Looking at these..........

Cherry Laurel 15/30cm Cell grown - Hedges Direct UK

Would I be better getting more established (potted) plants though?

I don't mind the wait on it becoming an effective hedge, according to the growth rate, I should be getting some privacy next year.

EDIT:- 'cell grown', sounds a bit cloney, Dolly esque, anything to worry about there?

 

[Cobra]

Looking at these..........

Cherry Laurel 15/30cm Cell grown - Hedges Direct UK

don't forget that is only 6 - 12 inches in old money

EDIT:- 'cell grown', sounds a bit cloney, Dolly esque, anything to worry about there?

Yeah they will all end up looking the same
This explains it better than I can

 

[Cobra]

I'd go for the biggest / price that I can afford TBH.
There are various sizes & prices on that Auction site ..

cherry laurel hedging for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for cherry laurel hedging. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Dale.]

Decided on 12, potted, 40cm tall (at the moment) Cherry Laurel, from that auction site. Reputable seller too, tons of positive feedback, none negative.

Shall be ordered after lunch.

 

[Box Brownie]

On the last episode of Gardeners Question Time

BBC Radio 4 - Gardeners' Question Time, Worcester

Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts.

www.bbc.co.uk

They addressed a question about what to with a dying/poor Leylandii hedge but the plant suggestions are equally valid for new plantings for a boundary.

The plant list is on the page above and obviously listening will put more context into it

 

[Dale.]

On the last episode of Gardeners Question Time

BBC Radio 4 - Gardeners' Question Time, Worcester

Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts.

www.bbc.co.uk

They addressed a question about what to with a dying/poor Leylandii hedge but the plant suggestions are equally valid for new plantings for a boundary.

The plant list is on the page above and obviously listening will put more context into it

Thanks, I will dig (no pun intended) into that a bit later.

 

[JonathanRyan]

Looking at these..........

Cherry Laurel 15/30cm Cell grown - Hedges Direct UK

Would I be better getting more established (potted) plants though?

I don't mind the wait on it becoming an effective hedge, according to the growth rate, I should be getting some privacy next year.

EDIT:- 'cell grown', sounds a bit cloney, Dolly esque, anything to worry about there?

Personally I would

1. Plant a mix of natives - no plant is as good as several different ones. It's going to depend where you are and the aspect but it's usual to base on either hawthorn or blackthorn and then get some "extras" from there - hornbeam, hazel, dog rose etc.
2. Wait until autumn. You'll be able to buy bare rooted plants which will be cheaper and you won't need to water the hedge all summer

Cherry laurel is lovely - but watch out if you have pets or children as the fruits are toxic.

 

[Dale.]

Personally I would

1. Plant a mix of natives - no plant is as good as several different ones. It's going to depend where you are and the aspect but it's usual to base on either hawthorn or blackthorn and then get some "extras" from there - hornbeam, hazel, dog rose etc.
2. Wait until autumn. You'll be able to buy bare rooted plants which will be cheaper and you won't need to water the hedge all summer

Cherry laurel is lovely - but watch out if you have pets or children as the fruits are toxic.

Thanks Jonathan. I've mentioned the toxicity to my daughter, she's 11 now so understands I think but she has been warned about the berries.


Open question to all. It might be a dumb one and I think I know the answer............................

15 Cherry Laurel plants have arrived today and I want to get them in ASAP. I'm not prepared though, I'd intended to remove the dead conifers and turn the soil over, to loosen it and get a new layer on top.

It got me thinking though. Getting rid of the conifers isn't going to be easy, they are fair lumps now. I could take the time and mulch them, I have a mulcher and then put them in the recycling. That's a tedious job though, I have other things to do and can't really justify the time they'd take to mulch. They're obviously too big to go in the recycling bin as is and I don't think they'd be accepted anyway.

I'm reluctant to burn them, I imagine that would be quite smokey? Time consuming too.

Here's the dumb question. Do I really need to get rid of the conifers, could I leave them as is and plant the Laurel around them and make them part of the hedge? Are the conifers likely to be leaching anything?

As I say, I think I know the answer but interested in thoughts.

 

[Cobra]

Digging them up will be a PITA, if you are in a hurry, cut them off at ground level, or preferably just below, and split the trunks vertically, they will rot, but it'll take quite awhile.
And then plant around them. Cut them into small pieces at your leisure and add to the green bin, with grass cuttings etc.
I've got rid some substantial "wood" that way.

You could always cut them down the main trunk, and leave that, it'll get hidden soon enough, but also be prepared to hack some roots
off the conifers, when you want to plant the laurel, as they maybe quite substantial.

 

[Dale.]

Cheers Chris, sounds like a plan.

 

[Nod]

I'd try one of the end ones to see if they'll pull up relatively easily.

I'd also only plant one of the laurels in that area just in case the conifers' demise wasn't from natural causes. Unless the laurels are fairly severely pot bound, they should be OK for a couple of weeks plunged (buried to planting level but still in their pots) in an empty spot.

 

[Box Brownie]

Digging them up will be a PITA, if you are in a hurry, cut them off at ground level, or preferably just below, and split the trunks vertically, they will rot, but it'll take quite awhile.
And then plant around them. Cut them into small pieces at your leisure and add to the green bin, with grass cuttings etc.
I've got rid some substantial "wood" that way.

This......but also conifers are not particularly deep rooted and looking at yours as not too established could likely come out without too much.....yes a faff, as I know from experience 'here'.

Process ~ cut off all branches > dig around roots and cut the obvious thicker lateral ones> apply force to the trunk (previously reduced to about 2 to 3 feet) and see hoe loose it is becoming> keep chopping/digging around> more leaning & digging under and et voila out of the ground

 

[Dale.]

I'd try one of the end ones to see if they'll pull up relatively easily.

I'd also only plant one of the laurels in that area just in case the conifers' demise wasn't from natural causes. Unless the laurels are fairly severely pot bound, they should be OK for a couple of weeks plunged (buried to planting level but still in their pots) in an empty spot.

That is one of my concerns that the soil might now be bad. I'm going to go with the benefit of doubt, plant some Laurel but keep a few back too.

This......but also conifers are not particularly deep rooted and looking at yours as not too established could likely come out without too much.....yes a faff, as I know from experience 'here'.

Process ~ cut off all branches > dig around roots and cut the obvious thicker lateral ones> apply force to the trunk (previously reduced to about 2 to 3 feet) and see hoe loose it is becoming> keep chopping/digging around> more leaning & digging under and et voila out of the ground

Yup, I tried the smaller one, it came out by hand as did 2 others, after a bit of a fight. The bigger ones though needed the spade, which I used to dig around them, then severed the roots with the spade then kind of levered the dead trees out.

So now they are out and I have a fresh bed, so a new start. I will turn it over later today and plant some of the Laurel and see what happens.

I'm guessing they will need to be well watered?

 

[Nod]

For a few weeks at least!