Digging up an unwanted Laurel

[Jez]

Its very deep rooted but it needs to come out! Somebody suggested using copper nails to kill it off???? But I can salvage the plant for somebody who have a good garden for it the better! Any ideas anyone?

[tufftie]

I think if it's very deep rooted you're going to find it very difficult to transplant it because the root damage will cause it to go into too much shock..no matter how careful you are. How about taking some cuttings and propagating them - then you could either sell them or give them to charities or friends? though that takes a bit of space, so maybe not such a good idea

[Jez]

Originally Posted by tufftie

I think if it's very deep rooted you're going to find it very difficult to transplant it because the root damage will cause it to go into too much shock..no matter how careful you are. How about taking some cuttings and propagating them - then you could either sell them or give them to charities or friends? though that takes a bit of space, so maybe not such a good idea

Really I just want rid...It's got to go!!! I'll see if I can borrow a hatchet from work?!

Curious about hammering copper nails though! Do you or anyone else know if this suggestion is a tried and tested one?

[tufftie]

No not heard of it - unless it's just a way of ring marking a tree? Heard of copper to keep away slugs and snails though Might have a look in my books later...between boring work calls !!

[Purplepixii]

I've heard of the copper thing though I always thought it was an urban myth. You're supposed to put copper into the trunk of a tree, whether by nail or 2p piece, and it allegedly kills the tree. Not tried it myself but have heard of it yes.

Pixii

[Jez]

Thanks for letting me know about that Purplepixii

I'll hang on a tad see if anyone else knows about this before I head off down the iron mongers for some copper nails!

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by Jez

Curious about hammering copper nails though! Do you or anyone else know if this suggestion is a tried and tested one?

It's a complete fallacy, the amount of copper needed to kill a small tree is considerably more than you'd get from a handful of nails. Don't waste your money.

Is this laurel on the station you're looking after? Could you not get a passing train to pull it out? Just a thought

[Jez]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

It's a complete fallacy, the amount of copper needed to kill a small tree is considerably more than you'd get from a handful of nails. Don't waste your money.

Is this laurel on the station you're looking after? Could you not get a passing train to pull it out? Just a thought

It is on the platform but no trains coming passed due to closer! But yer If I see Gladys or Thomas coming by this way i'll wave them down

[tufftie]

Sounds like it's going to be a grubbing mattock and bow saw job...better get that dragon balm ....mind you a dragon bomb might do the trick !!!(sorry poor play on MP)

[polygro]

I tried to hack one down last year as I wanted to replace it with some Hawthorn - now I have suckers coming up everywhere. Maybe I didn't go down deep enough.
Not an easy one when you don't want to use chemicals

Polly