good evening if you can get a 4x4 in why not hire a mini digger that way you will knock the 4x4 about .you would get it out easier will a digger.good luck.

no harm in trying though.nothing to loose i suppose good luck.

Depends on how attached you are to the 4x4. I'm guessing that at 50 years old you won't just be able to pull the privet out and will need to dig around to at least loosen the roots.
Do you mean rope edge kerbs? That will depend on whether they are bedded in concrete/cement or just in soil - if the latter then they should work loose with a bit of judicious spade work.
ps I can give a home to unwanted rope edge.

How hard is the soil there Snoop? Light and crumbly or solid clay would I think be different,and are there obstacles in the way like a small wall?
why not just try one plant?

Good luck x

Hi Steve, if you can make a troughabout6 to 9 inches deep, either side of the hedge,fill it with water, let it drain away, and keep on repeating until you turn the soil to mud, the privets will come out a lot easier, Derek.