My back garden is only just starting to grow some nice grass having had neighbours either side with Leylandii. The roots sucked all the goodness from down below and the trees left my whole garden in shade making sure all I got was a mud patch witha bit of moss for years.
One side cut theirs down about 3 years ago and last year finally the other side cut theirs down.
However I still have a huge network of (happy to say dead) roots and haven't had the energy to try and dig them out. I have heavy clay anyway so digging is a nightmare before getting to the root maze.
I just grow everything in pots or raised beds, but then I'm just lazy.
Good luck with clearing that lot you're a braver person than me.
