To get rid of a privet hedge, cut through the sturdy branches of the hedge near the ground and leave enough length on the branch so that it can be grasped for root removal then cut one section of the privet hedge at a time for better management of the vegetation also cut the branches into smaller pieces for disposal in a chipper or truck again dig out the hard roots and dispose of them as you did the branches then use a pitch fork and spade to expose the roots again loop chain around the exposed root and rock the root mass with the chain to loosen it then remove the loosened soil, then rock and pull again until you can ease the roots from the ground and fill the holes where the privet hedge stood with compost and the remaining removed soil.