Beech Hedge - Side Crew Cut

Hello, I'm a new member (today!). Have a question about giving a radical prune to a beech hedge.

I have a long beech hedge alongside a boundary chestnut paling fence. On the fence side, it's only 12" (0.3m) deep from face to stumps and my neighbour prunes it flush with the fence. However, despite hedge trimming, my side has inevitably and gradually crept out sideways and is now 3' (1m) deep from face to stumps and is almost over the path!

I want to cut this side back to a similar 12" as per the other side which will stop hedge leaning, reveal the path, and give me more land again!

I've read in various places that it's OK to severely cut back a beech hedge on the sides, but with a severe prune to only do one side at a time. That's fine as I don't want to do the other side. What I can't seem to find is WHEN is the best time to do such a severe side pruning? Also to cut back from 3' to 12" is OK?

There seems a difference of opinion about normal pruning - one school says Feb before the sap rises, the other school says end summer "to keep brown leaves on during winter" (don't quite understand that bit). I wonder if the same applies to a severe prune and the same two schools of thought apply?

Anyone know or done a severe side prune? Thanks.

 

Hi Maplewood and welcome, I would not make such a massive cut all at one go. I would be inclined to cut it back by about 6 inches now, and then take it back by another 6 inches in January/February. I would repeat this procedure again next year in August/September and the following January/February. Regarding the leaves, Beech trees/hedges keep their leaves over winter albeit they are brown. David.