The Best and Most Effective Ways to Kill a Hedge

Hedges can be a beautiful addition to any outdoor space, providing privacy, acting as a living fence, and adding greenery to your yard. However, over time, hedges can become unruly, overgrown and require too much maintenance. If your hedge has gotten out of control or you want to remove it completely to make room for something new, you may be wondering – what is the best way to kill a hedge?

There are a few effective methods you can use to get rid of a hedge for good. The key is using the right tools and techniques to destroy the hedge all the way down to the roots. This ensures no new growth will emerge again.

Timing is Important

When taking down a hedge, timing is an important consideration It’s best to remove and kill a hedge during the dormant season, in late fall or early winter. This is when the plant is drawing energy and nutrients down into its root system and not actively growing above ground Herbicides applied at this time will be pulled down into the roots more effectively.

Trying to kill a hedge during the spring or summer when it is actively growing with lots of leaves and flowers is not ideal, The hedge will be harder to kill and you’ll have more potential for the chemicals spraying onto desirable plants Waiting for the dormant season leads to better results

Start By Cutting Down the Hedge

The first step in removing a hedge is cutting it down to ground level. Use loppers, pruners, or a chainsaw to cut off all branches and stems at the base. Wear protective gear like gloves, long sleeves, pants, boots and eye protection when using power tools.

Cut pieces into manageable sizes so they are easier to dispose of Gather up all the cuttings and dispose of them properly Your local waste management company can advise on rules for disposal in your area,

With the hedge cut down, you’ll have clear access to the stumps and root system to treat with herbicide.

Applying Herbicide to the Stump

Once the hedge is cut down, you need to treat the stump and remaining roots to prevent regrowth. This is where herbicide comes in. When applied correctly to freshly cut stump, the chemicals will travel down through the plant’s vascular system and kill the roots.

There are a few effective herbicide options:

• Glyphosate: This popular weed killer works on most plant types when applied to freshly cut stumps. Opt for a concentrated formula without extra ingredients.

• Triclopyr: Sold under brand names like Garlon and Pathway, this chemical is effective at killing woody plants like hedges. Use an amine formulated product.

• Picloram: Another herbicide option, sold as Tordon or Pathway, that is capable of killing hedge roots. Stick to the amine form.

Always carefully read herbicide labels and follow instructions. Use appropriate protective equipment like chemical-resistant gloves, long sleeves and eye protection. Avoid getting herbicide on desirable plants.

Application Methods

There are a couple techniques you can use to apply herbicide solutions to your hedge stump:

• Spraying: Use a pump spray bottle or backpack sprayer to cover the entire freshly cut stump surface with herbicide. Saturate the surface but avoid runoff.

• Painting: Using a paintbrush, paint herbicide concentrate directly onto the cut stump. Focus on the outer 2-4 inches including the cambium layer just inside the bark.

• Drilling: For very large stumps, use a power drill to make angled holes into the stump every 6 inches. Inject herbicide into each hole.

No matter the method, treat the stump within minutes after cutting for best results. The fresher the cut, the better the herbicide uptake will be.

Dealing with the Roots

In addition to treating the stumps, you also need to kill off the remaining roots to prevent any new shoots emerging. Here are some ways to destroy the root system:

• Grinding: Rent a stump grinder to chew up remaining roots,grinding them into small pieces. Remove as much of the root ball as possible.

• Digging: Use a shovel, pickaxe or excavator to dig out as much of the root system as possible. This is labor intensive but thorough.

• Herbicide: Spray or pour herbicide onto any remaining roots you couldn’t remove. This will kill anything left in the ground.

• Solarization: Cover the root area with clear plastic sheeting to “solarize” and kill roots through heat buildup. Leave for several weeks.

Completely removing or killing roots is crucial to prevent regrowth. Be as thorough as you can.

Disposing of the Remains

As a final step, you need to properly dispose of the hedge debris. Different disposal methods include:

• Hauling waste away in a truck to a waste management site, dump or composting facility

• Chipping, shredding or mulching the smaller cuttings to use in your garden

• Burning debris, where permitted – check local burn regulations first

• Burying pieces on your property, if space allows

Just don’t leave any hedge waste sitting around, as it can promote disease, attract pests, and look unsightly. Take care of disposal promptly.

Alternative Kill Methods

While herbicide application is the most effective approach, there are some alternative methods you can try to kill unwanted hedges:

• Smothering: Cover the hedge with thick black plastic or layered newspaper sheets to block sunlight and smother the plant over time.

• Salt: Drench the root area with a salt water solution. The salt will leach nutrients from the soil, eventually killing the plant.

• Boiling water: Pour boiling water over the hedge’s root zone to scald the plant cells. Repeat as needed.

• Fire: Use a propane weed torch to scorch and burn the leaves, stems and stump. Roast at close range.

Keep in mind these methods take longer, require repeated applications, and may not completely kill the roots. But they avoid chemicals.

When to Call a Professional

Killing a large, overgrown hedge is difficult work, so don’t be afraid to call in a professional if needed. Landscapers can tackle the job efficiently with industrial tools and commercial herbicides. They can also handle debris clean-up.

Professional help is a good idea when:

• The hedge is exceptionally large, thick or on a slope
• You don’t own the proper power tools or safety gear
• Hauling away debris isn’t feasible for you
• The roots are huge and need excavating
• You are unable to handle or apply herbicide

Weigh the project demands and consider your abilities. Contracting a professional takes the burden off you.

What to Plant in Place of the Hedge

Once your hedge is successfully killed and removed, you’ll have a blank canvas to work with in your garden. Really think about what would look best in that spot. Here are some replacement ideas:

• New hedge: Install a different, lower maintenance hedge species better suited to the space.

• Garden beds: Use the space for raised planting beds for fruits, veggies or flowers.

• Patio area: Extend or add a stone, brick or concrete paved patio.

• Lawn: Reseed the area with grass to create more open lawn space.

• Trees/shrubs: Plant specimen trees like Japanese maples or flowering shrubs.

• Water feature: Add a pond, fountain or other water element as a new focal point.

• Sitting area: Arrange benches or patio furniture to create a cozy sitting and relaxing space.

Get creative and choose something you’ll truly enjoy in the area your old hedge once occupied.

Key Tips for Successfully Killing a Hedge

Here are some key tips to ensure you can successfully kill and remove a unwanted hedge:

• Time it for late fall or winter when the hedge is dormant
• Cut hedge all the way down with sharp tools
• Apply concentrated herbicide to freshly cut stumps
• Thoroughly drench and scrape out as much of the root system as possible
• Dispose of all hedge debris promptly and properly
• Solarize the area under plastic sheeting for a few weeks
• Monitor for several months and re-treat any new growth
• Consider hiring a professional if it’s a huge hedge or you lack necessary equipment

Follow these guidelines and you’ll be hedge-free in no time! Then you can move forward with planting something new in its place. With the right technique and persistence, you can completely eliminate even the most stubborn, out of control hedge.