how to kill my privet hedge

[vouzkybouzky]

I have 20 foot long privet hedge in my back garden,how can i kill it without breaking my back digging up all the roots?The solution needs to be pet friendly

[Thunderbird+]

To save your back, You can hire very small mechanical diggers these days and if you can run to it a operator too and maybe a skip for the day.
I hope you have access for this! Good Luck Tbird+

[Catso]

Thunderbird's suggestion would be worth it for the fun of it alone!

You could also cut it right back to the roots, it'd sprout a bit again, but if you keep taking off the green stuff, it will eventually die. Take a year or two, I'd guess.

[RATTER15]

Just a thought!! if this a very old hedge, contact your local Bonsai Club, they will dig up any large mature roots, they make great Bonsai because of the gnarled looking roots and the small leaves, if I was nearby I would do it myself. Probably not a practical solution but would be of benefit to someone.