Hedge Q........please

Hello,

I have a hedge (mixed Sp.) which will need timming when the birds ahve finished nesting.

By the house we notice its been allowed to grow ou ttoo far and now needs cutting quite hard back.

At that part of the hedge its box, then privet, then holly(also laurel).

I know the laurel will grow out from old wood but what of the other Sp.

The box part is quite important...how do I get around this?




Thanks in advance,



David

 

David

Privet will grow back with time, like holly and laurel. But I'm not sure about box if the plants are already big and old. If you need to cut it really hard back, I'm afraid your hedge is going to look very bald for a couple of years at least whatever it's made of.

You might want to consider replacing the worst section with fence panels.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Fence panels aren't really an opton.

If the plants will grow back eventually that at least would be some thing. In my experience the conifers usually do NOT....but If they [Ie the box etc]will regrow eventually that would at least be something. I'm prepared for a bare look in the short term. I have got to be fairly severe, as they have grown out too far and have taken too much space.

 

"In my experience the conifers usually do NOT."

That mostly applies to Leylandii <Spit!>

Yew, Thuja, ... will grow back.

"I'm prepared for a bare look in the short term."

If you only have to cut one side (or you can do one side, and wait for a couple of years before cutting the other site hard back) then you'll still have a privacy barrier.

I have no experience of how well box will grow back. I imagine when people decide to completely change their Box topiary they do some drastic cutting initially ... ? if so then maybe it will be OK with being cut hard back.

Replanting with "Mature" hedge plants next Autumn is another option. Not cheap, but you could have whatever you like, and if its only a couple of metres the cost might be OK

 

Yes, just the one side.

Though, I'm not keen on making a big hole.....

Guess I''ll do my side then its up to my neighbour. I usually do both sides but prob not this year.

 

You can cut the other side as normal, its only if you need to cut both sides hard back that its best to do each side with a year or two's gap in between to give the first side time to recover (and the leaf on the other side of the hedge will be the "powerhouse" in the meantime!)

Might be best to let your neighbour know in case they are planning to cut it hard back this year too!

 

Box should grow back no problem and actually looks kinda quirky while it re-establishes it's form. Going to one of my customers next Tuesday who I've done this for and can take a photo of the growth of you like. I think it was reduced three years ago.

 

Great stuff. :yess:

I'm not sure how its grown out so far in truth.

Thanks.

 

Could be interesting if you have time.

Don't worry if not.