Keep or remove Cotoneaster Horizontalis

Hi all,

I've just heavily pruned back a cotoneaster, I think it's a Horizontalis by the way it's branches grow. Long story short, I've taken it back so far that I'm wondering whether to attempt to remove it completely and replace. Originally my intention was to cut back then let it grow from the main stem again. Anyway, it looks like whoever planted it may have done it to cover this manhole cover (see pictures), I assume though it should be accessible and not have thick stems pinning the cover down at this point. I assume it's for water/sewer access but no idea. Regarding Horizontalis I had read it's on a list of invasive non native species and in cutting it back the surrounding ground was absolutely covered with it's shallow roots and new plants growing. To be honest I think I may struggle to remove it due to it's proximity to that cover and the size of the stem/root structure?

I was aiming to plant something in front of the cover instead, in the bit of border I have freed from the cotoneaters grip. The only plus point is the bees seem to love it when it's in flower so I'd want to plant something wildlife friendly.

Please ignore the box in the background if you can! I pruned that last year thinking it would grow back but if it will it's going to take some time.

Thanks for any opinions/advice on this

 

I don’t know what it is but it looks nothing like my Cotoneaster horizontalis.

 

How about this?

 

Yes, the brown twigs do look similar but the leafy ones don’t. Hack it back as near to the ground as you can and apply brushwood killer to the remaining stems. Over time it will rot and be removable.

 

It's merged with the box hedge on the right, maybe that's what you're noticing. Thanks for the weed killer tip

 

Is it escallonia

 

Here's a close up. It forms those tightly spaced parallel branches that cotoneaters are known for. Although here it's so dense you can't see it

 

It’s cotoneaster

 

Thanks for confirming.

 

Starlings and blackbirds eat the berries too.

Have you thought about moving it instead to somewhere else in your garden? That way everyone's happy.

 

Yes i know, but they also like to drop some and new plants start growing. I've seen this just in the patch where the cotoneaster is but i bet they drop them in neighbouring gardens too. There is just the stump left now. I don't like removing plants but i am determined to replace it with something that's beneficial to wildlife!