If the beech hedge is in the wrong place or has simply become too old and unsightly, the only thing that helps is to remove it completely. Before you can create a new hedge or put other plants in its place, you have to completely dig up the old beech hedge.

Old beech hedges can usually no longer be dug up

Digging up a beech hedge

If the beech hedge has only been in place for a few years, it is sometimes still possible to dig it out. Occasionally, young beeches can be saved and transplanted to another location.

The older the hedge, the more difficult it will be to dig up. You often need an excavator for this, especially if the beech hedge is very long.

You can no longer transplant older beeches because you cannot get them out of the ground undamaged.

All roots must be completely removed

Before you can create a new hedge or plant new shrubs, you must completely remove the old hedge. To dig up a beech hedge, proceed step by step:

  • Cut down the hedge piece by piece
  • Cut off the root area
  • dig up stumps
  • Remove root remains from the ground as completely as possible

Beeches don't take very deep roots, but they spread fairly quickly. You can still find some roots at a distance of two meters or more - depending on how old the beeches are.

To dig up the hedge, you need to dig up the soil at least half a meter deep, even deeper for older trees. This can only be done with a garden excavator or professional support, especially with longer hedges.

The alternative: Let the roots in the ground rot

If you just want to remove the hedge and don't need the space for new hedges or plants, simply let the roots rot in the ground. However, this takes several years.

To do this, saw off the beeches down to the ground. Using a drill, saw or other suitable implement, poke or saw holes and indentations in the rootstocks.

Then fill the holes with fresh compost. The roots then decompose and become natural fertilizer in the soil.

tips

There are a number of chemical agents available for removing old rootstock. However, most preparations are very harmful to the environment and must therefore not be used.

Category:

Garden design