Laurel Hedges

Question for a friend.

Can you cut a Laurel hedge back hard, like will it regrow from bare branches?

 

I've never done it myself Zigs, but I have seen quite a few overgrown laurel hedges cut back hard, removing almost all the growth and they do regrow in time The general consensus seems to be that if they are cut back hard to stumps or bare trunks it can be about 2 years before they look good again (as in plenty of bushy growth) but it certainly won't do them any harm

 

I have had to cut mine hard, although not to total stumps, just some bare branches and some leafier ones and it always grows back. I have to do this most summers otherwise there would be nothing else in the garden by now. It'll be grown back from this treatment in just a few months.

 

Yes.

 

Short and to the point Pete

Thanks all, I thought they would, but as its for someone else thought i'd better check.

It's starting to block the view of oncoming traffic when pulling out onto the road

 

Next it'll be blocking the traffic, never mind the view.

 

I have a lovely laurel hedge along the side of our front garden blocking the views from a public footpath on the other side, the previous owners planted it and let it grow to about 4ft, I've let it go to 6ft and trim it 2 or 3 times a year to keep it 'tight', I especially have to keep it cut back from the footpath for obvious reasons

It surprisingly rich in wildlife, apart from the obvious nesting opportunities for robins, blackbirds etc, it also provides shelter for over wintering butterflies, ladybirds (which its usually covered with in the warmer months) and is always full of hoverflies, bees and some wasps

 

I have found nests in mine while pruning, the leathery, evergreen leaves provide dense cover for bird life.

 

probably best to cut one side this year, and the other side next, or the year after, otherwise it will be a bit skinny in the interim.

The top you can do all-in-one though of course - I'd go for 6", maybe 12", lower than final height to then let it grow back, bushy, to the height you want to maintain.

Sides I would cut back one-side-now and the other side next/following year.

 

Cheers all

It's my friends neighbours' hedge, so he'll only be cutting the one side and the front.

 

So long as the "one side" isn't the back ...

... I'll get my coat !!