laurel hedge

I have a laurel hedge that is about 10foot high. I would like to cut it back to about 6 foot. What time of year is best? I would like to do it now. Thanks

 

My preference would be in Winter, but I reckon now would be OK.

Personally I would only cut one side hard back and then wait a year, preferably two, before doing the other side.

Reducing the height could be done at the same time as the "width" on once side.

If you only need to do the height then get the choppers out and off you go

Don't use hedge trimmer / clippers on the leaves - those that you cut in half will go brown and then look a bit horrid. So if you can be bothered better to cut the stems with secateurs when giving it its annual haircut - you'll obviously need something more major (e.g. a saw) to go through the stems if you are taking 4' off the top.

I'd be inclinded to cut it 12" - 18" lower than the final height you want, so that the growth that comes back can then be trimmed at the required height - otherwise you'll struggle to get the right sort of growth pattern to maintain at the ultimate height. If you are just going to let it grow back to 10' and then tame it again in 3 or 4 years time then just chop it to 6'

 

I used to have laurel hedges Nickring.
I found you could cut them as much as you liked any time of year you liked and they were fine.
I would agree about cutting them a good bit lower than the final height you want as the stuff grows so quickly it will be back to where it started before the year is over. And try to avoid cutting the leaves as they turn brown and look unsightly.
If you have big branches and a fire laurel burns perfectly well.

 

t[size=small]h[/size]ank you all for your advice - very [size=small]h[/size]elpful