Hedge trimming

Dear doyens of topiary,

I have a large hedge between me and my neighbours. When I moved in it was perfectly square and I'd like to try and keep it that way.

It's also a bit thicker on my side though (see 3rd pic), so I'd like to trim it back to make it equal.

However, I also don't want to wreck/kill it.

Any tips? Is there a time of year to do this/not do this?
Should I thin it a little at a time, or go hell for leather?

Thanks!

 

Arrgh.. If that's Leylandii hedge, make sure you don't cut it back to brown wood, it won't regrow otherwise. I have a Leyandii hedge, and unfortunately it was cut back rather too harshly c couple of years ago, and now it's just brown on one part of it. Prob best to leave it until Autumn now too, as you'll possibly have birds nesting in it. I'd just trim it a little at a time.

 

Did hear the month to trim has to start with an A and yep that type of hedge won't regrow from brown

 

Give it a feed and when its dry give it a good watering. Many died around me in 2010 when the ground was frozen for weeks and they ran dry as a result.

 

Thanks for the tips guys, will give it a couple of months then.

It is a little bit brown on one corner. Is there no way of encouraging new growth?

 

I've not managed to get mine to re-grow, so I don't think so unfortunatly. There's about 5 meters of mine that is brown on one side, thankfully it's only seen in the garden, and not from the lane, so it's only me who can see how horrid it looks.
So cross. I wasn't home when it was being cut, and they went way to far inwards. I'm hoping to grow another hedge over a couple of years from small plugs, and when they're big enough, out it will come! It's a nightmare really, and not a hedge I'd choose to have.

 

I have a Leylandii hedge that was planted by the previous owners, they're not the most loved of trees but mine is a necessary evil as its an excellent windbreak for us and protects our back garden from prevailing winds.

Last year though it wasn't looking too happy and I don't want to lose it so I took the decision to empty an entire bucket of chicken pellets around its base and gave it a right good soaking. Now a few weeks later its looking fantastic, covered in fresh growth

I only trim it once a year and that is at the end of August or early September

 

most people advise 2 trims a year but mine gets a single trim end of September/ October and is looking fine. If its chopped into the brown it wont regrow. I know its cheating but i have seen them sprayed with green paint to help to blend it in, i think it was wood protector like cuprinol.