I wish I hadn't started it

[Deleted]

We have a total of 33 trees on two sides of our garden, they are all dead, strangled by ivy and brambles, the ivy and brambles were getting tangled in overhead cables.

I decided to reduce the height of my trees by about half, when I put my ladder against the first one it almost toppled over, I got a rope and pulled it down.

Having decided that the trees were dangerous and could with a strong wind fall into the road I set about pulling down the others with the intention of planting new.

I have now been cutting, hacking, digging and chain sawing for three weeks, I have had three large bonfires and getting ready for a fourth and I have only reached two thirds of the way along the front edge, it is impossible to remove all the roots and the ivy and brambles are already fighting back with new shoots.

I have ivy roots three inches thick

I asked the OH who came up with this stupid idea, apparently it was ME.

[Ali]

My goodness P - no wonder you've been quiet !!

Looks like you have also found yourself another 4ft depth of garden for Sam too.

I'd suggest (close your ears troll) giving those brambles and ivy a good old sorting with a very strong roundup now whilst theyre active otherwise in spring you prob won't see your new hedge

[Madame Moorhen]

Roundup won't kill them! There's a weedkiller which doesn't affect grass but kills saplings, ivy and brambles - can't remember what it is called but the farmer who farms next to us goes around spraying it. But don't spray anywhere near a ditch as it is illegal.

[Colly]

I'd be more worried over the newly planted leylandi/cypress I have a row of about 100 that are 60 + feet tall and growing