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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.

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  1.  
    Looking to tackle this overgrown hedgerow: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vw4_OA6jcoFKIn08E6apKaNtEqZUPE0j/view?usp=drivesdk

    It appears to be a mix of intertwined plants:

    Holly
    Ivy
    cotoneaster salicifolius
    Brambles
    Rose
    Amongst others

    Now I appreciate the wildlife factor, but we want to level it and grow plants of our own choice; cherry laurel or similar.

    It's simply overgrown and blocking sunlight.

    Any tips for removing it all? Some of the trunks are at least 4" thick in areas

    All material will be shredded and composted for use in the garden
  2.  
    Same for this area, appears to have been a pond that has been filled in with chippings, and the plants and trees are a bit overgrown. Just thinking of the greenest way to either trim them back or level and plant something to our choice and lifestyle.


    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wRawp2SQGq61SBzEzjjK2NeafUljarpS/view?usp=drivesdk

    It does seem sacrilege but I'm off the opinion things will grow back and we'll do our bit by shredding and seeing side areas for bugs, critters etc

    I'd possibly like to get the pond back up and running.
  3.  
    The hedge row seems to have a fence embedded in it - in which case it is probably a boundary fence.
    Is the boundary fence in the right place? If it is you would be entitled to cut back to the fence (boundary). You can probably reduce the height to what ever the local regulations allow (probably 2 M) but consult with the neighbour first.

    For the pond I would trim back to see what you have i.e. a severe haircut in the autumn and then see what emerges in the spring. Ponds can be a mixed blessing and be a haven for the mosquitoes all summer.
  4.  
    No fence in the hedge, there's a garage behind it. The 'fence post' to the right of the picture is the start of a small pergola which we have also unveiled as part of the initial tidy up for summer
    • CommentAuthorArtiglio
    • CommentTimeJul 22nd 2024
     
    Just cut it down to about a foot above ground level, then get the spade, fork and pick out and start sweating. Dig as much as you can out then use roundup or similar to deal with whatever keeps trying to grow back. The brambles will be very reslient if they’ve had several years to establish themselves.
  5.  
    Yes I think chop it off and whatever is healthy will grow back, and you can plant some nicer plants in the row. Holly makes a good hedge, but I would not have the Cherry Laurel, ever. Toxic and almost zero wildlfife value.
    What's on the other side of the hedge? Is it the garden boundary? livestock?

    I would go native mixed hedging for the wildlife value, there's so much to choose from whether you want thorny or not.
    • CommentAuthorRex
    • CommentTimeJul 22nd 2024
     
    Depending upon the size of the bushes and the 'truck' above the ground, leave plenty of 'trunk' above after trimming all the foliage. You can then get some great exercise by loosening the soil and using the trunk to lever the root ball, back and forth to loosen the surrounding soil.

    Not possible to get all the roots and rootlets, but after time, the main root will be sufficient loose to lever out. I also use a scaffold 'crowbar' that is very useful for applying extreme leverage below the root.
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