On 23/09/19 13:21, Bill Wright wrote:
On 23/09/2019 08:15, Jeff Layman wrote:


How are you going to "pull them out"?

I'm hoping they will come out if I put a chain on them and tug them with
the tractor. Trouble is they are near a retaining wall so the wall might
be damaged.

I didn't realise that you had access to a tractor, but don't
underestimate the root problem. Trees of that age will have an extensive
root system. It may not be deep, but it will be far-reaching. See
detailed info he
https://www.trees.org.uk/Trees.org.uk/files/61/6181f2b7-e35d-4075-832f-5e230d16aa9e.pdf

So that wall will be at risk. I had a conifer hedge removed as it was in
a terrible state. I guess it was in in excess of 25 years old, as some
of the trunks were well over a foot in diameter, and were often
twin/triple. The tree branches had not only damaged a fence a couple of
feet away, but replacing the panels proved difficult as the damn roots
had moved and sometimes slightly rotated the concrete posts, so getting
the panels to fit was a challenge (not for me, but the guys fitting them!).

Are you going to get pros in who
will cut them down, saw/shred, and then stump grind what's left
(including the stumps of the dead trees)?

No I'll just put them on the bonfire heap.

Heh. Dry leylandii will burn really well! You've still got time before
5th November...

Once the stumps and roots have been ground, you will find the soil left
is several times the volume it was before the grinding process, and is
at a much higher level. It will take some time, and a lot of rain, to
return it to normal. Then, what you plant will struggle a bit as the
composting process for the ground stump removes nitrogen from he soil.
Adding some general fertiliser when you plant the trees should help.

I'm wondering if I sould dig a big hole and put some compost and that in.

If you have access to compost, then that makes sense.

As to fast-growing plants to consider, have aÂ* look at eucalyptus. There
are various species and varieties, all of which are hardy and evergreen,
and you can leave them to grow or pollard/stool them if you want.

Oh, I'll have a look.

Bill

Good luck.

--

Jeff