removing laurel roots

[barquar]

We have just cut back some massive Laurel bushes which were getting out of hand. How do you get rid of the (Stumps roots) apart from digging them out. As they grow back quicker than ever and we dont want them to.
Barquar

[Hedge Witch]

I believe you can buy something in garden centres to apply to the roots - a systematic herbicide like "Deep Root".

Not exactly the green option though

[The Woodman]

There's not much you can do apart from physically removing them by hand or machine.

To prevent regrowth, apply neat glyphosate i.e. Roundup (easily found and works well) to the cut surfaces and any new shoot growth from subsurface roots.

[ron1863]

Digging them out is difficult, I have did it with a large Forsythia and the extent of the root system is amazing. Good luck

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

There's not much you can do apart from physically removing them by hand or machine.

To prevent regrowth, apply neat glyphosate i.e. Roundup (easily found and works well) to the cut surfaces and any new shoot growth from subsurface roots.

if there are other trees nearby that you wish to keep it might be better to use triclopur (timbrel) as some research has indicated that glyphosate can transfer via rootgraft, but other than that TW has it bang on

it might also be an idea to add a wetting agent (cooking oil works well) to the roundup or timbrel to make it more gloopy and less likely to run off before it can be absorbed.

[The Woodman]

You're right eeyore but I wasn't imagining rootgrafts were the order of the day in this situation.

[barquar]

Thanks to all for your sugestions will give them a try. The back Garden is an old Quary and its steep so the Laurels were taking over they have been cut down now just need to deal with the roots.The Garden belongs to my Daughter.
Thanks
Barquar

[Jez]

Last year I cut back a laurel just above the base, then I thought I'd dig out the roots they we're so deep I found it quite impossible to do ! So I asked WAB as I heard that ramming copper nails might do the trick. I got some good suggestions but ended up just hacking the stump with an axe down to about 7 or 8 inches below surface level then covered the soil I dug back over and hoped for the best! Result= a success no more growth, I forget it ever stood where it did, until Naomi reminded me of it!

[Secdean]

You could just leave them in, they will decay and be better for the wildlife really.

[barquar]

Originally Posted by Secdean

You could just leave them in, they will decay and be better for the wildlife really.

We cut one down last year and left it in, its regrowing with a vengence.
Barquar