My hedges are absolutely destroyed with briars growing through them. I've tried getting down in hands and knees and cutting them at the ground but there's so many it's not really possible, I'm cut to bits trying to pull them out then, even through thick gloves.
Photos probably don't show the scale of it, but hedge is plagued with it , very thick in parts.
No simple fix I assume?
by Lazy_Fall_6
6 Comments
You need to dig them by the roots or they will just keep growing unless they are cut regularly enough to where they don’t get a chance to grow.
I’ve had success clearing briars by using a garden fork or a small hand fork in more restricted spaces, by prying up the root.
You don’t have to remove all the root, unlike nettles, docks etc, but you have to cut the root off below the small bud (maybe an inch long) that’s at the base of the briar. It’s usually an inch or two max underground.
Once that bud is cut out, then they don’t regrow. Best of luck with it.
The bulk of the root ball is very shallow. You can even cut it out with a secateurs. Thats really your only option here. The good news is that it responds well to being cut back like that and your hedge is salvageable, it’s just going to take a few thorns and scratches.
I’ve rescued bigger hedges from bigger brambles and wild roses, totally doable with a gauntlet and secateurs.
Could try painting the leaves with roundup? There used to be a gel herbicide that you painted on but I haven’t seen it in a long time
Are you getting any blackberries from them?
Get yourself some heavy duty gloves and a long handled loppers. Stick your head into the hedge and find where they’re all coming from. Pull all the ones you can get and cut the ones at the base otherwise.
I like to go in and cut all the convenient ones in the morning and then after the hot midday sun all the cut ones wilt and I can tell if I’ve to put more work in.