Beech Hedges

Hi folks, when is the best time to have my beech hedges trimmed? They still have a fairly good covering of last years leaves (brown) on and I was wondering, should it be done before this years new growth starts or not?

 

We used to own a red and green beech hedge, I still remember it wistfully.... I wouldn't prune now as it may harm the stems where the cuts were made. Enjoy that wonderful shiny new growth and that soft, silky feel of a new leaf.. . We used to prune ours in the Summer,
Jenny

 

If they were not cut last year, and have already reached "required size", then I would be inclined to cut them before the Spring. otherwise I think they will shoot from the tips, and all that growth will be cut off when you cut them in August, and you won't have as much leaf for them to "hold" over the winter.

Beech hedges (and many other, similar, hedges) need cutting annually in August to keep them "smart"