Hello, A friend and I are removing a row of english laurel. We have dug down about 2 feet and removed the main roots, however there are some rather large roots remaining. My question is, how much of the roots need to be completely excavated? My concern of course is that if I do not remove enough, they will come back (to haunt me!). Is there a rule of thumb for this? ie: 2 inch circumfrence is/is not a concern. I want to back fill the trenches but will not until I am sure! thanks carly
No laurels native to England, so therefore, no such thing as an "english laurel" . . . so either your plant doesn't exist [?!?] or is something else . . . can you post a photo to help identify it? That will help knowing how to proceed.
Prunus laurocerasus sprouts from stumps above the ground and roots near the surface. There was no need to go down 2' to get roots down there, unless you are trying to clear the ground for planting. Otherwise getting all the material on or near the surface should be the focus.
Don't plant anything in that spot untill you know you have it all out. I just went through this two years ago and had to dig somethings up to get at more roots left behind. Some are still sprouting in my nieghbours yard.
