Removing a large laurel

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 8:16 am

Theres a large laurel in my garden which I'd like to remove. What's the best approach? Remove the lower branches then cut a wedge in the trunk to fell it? Happy to buy a power tool if needed as I only have long handled secateurs and hand saws. I reckon it's about 15ft x 15 ft X 15 ft

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 8:39 am

You need a chainsaw. Screwfix do an electric one for £40 which will do the job. The green waste is the hardest to deal with as it is a lot of wood. It is easy to fell, systematically cut the thinner stems and mulch them with your mower, if it is powerful. Cut the branches into lengths that fit your car to get them over the dump. Don't get defeated by the pile. If you have someone with a log burner they may take some of the bigger logs. Laurel gives off cyanide so keep the car windows open carrying the mulch.

DWD

London mike 61 · Post by **London mike 61** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 8:48 am

A lot depends on what you want to do with the space it now occupies, if you intend to replant the area with different plants then it’s best to cut the top branches off to leave 3ft or so of branches to use as a lever when digging it out using a mattock and spade.
If on the other hand you just want to cut it down to size so it’s manageable for the future, then cut everything down to about 1ft above ground and in a few months it will sprout and regrow.
The best solution if you just want to get rid of the shrub completely is to dig the roots out.
The best tool I can personally recommend is a reciprocating saw, I bought this one https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-ers1 ... 240v/405fx and I can highly recommend these blades https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-s1531l ... pack/71339.

Mike

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 9:00 am

I use both for tree trimming, but for a big job like this, I would say that the best tools are a chainsaw and some loppers. The reciprocating saw can take longer to cut through branches and it depends on how patient you are. The reciprocating saw is perhaps more versatile for future jobs around the home though. Both tools will work and both are at Screwfix for £40.

DWD

London mike 61 · Post by **London mike 61** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 9:04 am

I recently had to use my saw for cutting up a three piece suite, it was a doddle

Mike

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 7:26 pm

I assume you have had this tree for some time and it over winters well? So would it be fair to say that this laurel is hardy

(ok, I will get my coat)

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 4:49 am

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 7:26 pm I assume you have had this tree for some time and it over winters well? So would it be fair to say that this laurel is hardy (ok, I will get my coat)

ha ha ha :) That's the exact kind of dad joke I make!!!!! I had a pot of basil from the supermarket, and realised the leaves were brown when i got home. I took it back to the customer service desk and said "this basil's fawlty". But the assistant too laugh. :)

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 4:50 am

London mike 61 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 8:48 am A lot depends on what you want to do with the space it now occupies, if you intend to replant the area with different plants then it’s best to cut the top branches off to leave 3ft or so of branches to use as a lever when digging it out using a mattock and spade.
If on the other hand you just want to cut it down to size so it’s manageable for the future, then cut everything down to about 1ft above ground and in a few months it will sprout and regrow.
The best solution if you just want to get rid of the shrub completely is to dig the roots out.
The best tool I can personally recommend is a reciprocating saw, I bought this one https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-ers1 ... 240v/405fx and I can highly recommend these blades https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-s1531l ... pack/71339.

Mike

I want it to be gone without a trace. The trunks alone are bigger than my shed!

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 5:04 am

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 9:00 am I use both for tree trimming, but for a big job like this, I would say that the best tools are a chainsaw and some loppers. The reciprocating saw can take longer to cut through branches and it depends on how patient you are. The reciprocating saw is perhaps more versatile for future jobs around the home though. Both tools will work and both are at Screwfix for £40.

DWD

I'm just looking at those two (chainsaw versus reciprocal). I'm trying to imagine what jobs I'll need to do in the future... chainsaw definitely better for the laurel now,

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 5:59 am

[/quote]
I'm just looking at those two (chainsaw versus reciprocal). I'm trying to imagine what jobs I'll need to do in the future... chainsaw definitely better for the laurel now,
[/quote]

Ok, reciprocal it is. I will also be using it to dismantle old shed/decking ... what happens if I'm using a wood blade and encounter a screw/nail? Of which there will be many! Will it stop, or go through but dull the blade quicker?

London mike 61 · Post by **London mike 61** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 7:44 am

hiace_drifter wrote: ↑Sat Jan 23, 2021 5:59 am

I'm just looking at those two (chainsaw versus reciprocal). I'm trying to imagine what jobs I'll need to do in the future... chainsaw definitely better for the laurel now,
[/quote]

Ok, reciprocal it is. I will also be using it to dismantle old shed/decking ... what happens if I'm using a wood blade and encounter a screw/nail? Of which there will be many! Will it stop, or go through but dull the blade quicker?

The blades that I linked to will cut through nails and screws with no problems but these blades are better if there are a lot of screws etc https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-s922hf ... pack/97679

Mike
[/quote]

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 8:23 am

You will find it hard going through a 3" branch with a Reciprocal as the blade can get pinched as the branch yields. You need to cut a wedge out one side and then a diagonal cut from the other to avoid that, same if you use a chainsaw. Like all jobs you need a range of tools to help speed the process, you can take a lot of with these loppers which at £7 are a steal. https://www.screwfix.com/p/telescopic-b ... 4-36/53249 if you can run to it get both the chainsaw and the RS. A chainsaw needs respect but it will deal with the thick stuff and the felling best.

DWD

adonis · Post by **adonis** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 12:02 pm

You could get an axe and do it the manly way, :LoL:

Beard and moustache optional.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 1:29 pm

Funny you should say that, I never like the idea of a chain saw, (Too dangerous in my opinion, needs training and the right gear.) I got a hatchet from B & Q I chopped a small tree down with it, not instantly but yes, no problem and I felt safe doing it. (Even as the tree fell)

Other thing I find useful is a bow saw, rips branches no worry.

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Sun Jan 24, 2021 7:38 am

adonis wrote: ↑Sat Jan 23, 2021 12:02 pm You could get an axe and do it the manly way, Beard and moustache optional.

I have an axe and a beard ha ha. I use them to cover up my lack of manliness :)