There are three ferns in my backyard, each over seven feet tall. I
don't know the specific variety. These were planted by the previous
owner along the fenceline with the adjacent properties. I would like
to replace them with another set of plants or trees. Is it possible
to remove and recover space from plants that size? The trunks are
large and I am assuming that the root system must be quite extensive.
Just chopping them down would leave substantial stumps and doesn't
make the soil usable for anything else.

Thanks,

--- Ravi
Redondo Beach, CA
(Los Angeles area)