Lowering a privet hedge

In the walled garden where I work there is a lot of privet hedging, well established and quite ancient I guess. For trimming, there is one bit that is just so much higher than the rest and it is a bit of a struggle to reach....I don't want to get into ladders and stuff. If I cut off the top 6-12" would it have any drastic effects on the hedge??? It is a bit holey in places too, so would taking some of it away encourage more healthy growth or [my worry] kill the whole thing completely! Help please?

 

On a smaller scale I have in the past topped one off by several inches. I created a wave effect along it and it did ok!...The bare patches grew back and my regular trimming helped it bush up nicely. After I did the deed I added plenty of feed and watered it for two weeks every day until I saw new growth.

 

Thanks for that. Oh yes, I had forgotten about seeing a wavy hedge in Devon...it looked really good, but doubt I would have the confidence to give that a go! pity...

 

Hi, Redfifi! Nice to see you again! :D Nothing to say that Pal hasn't already said - privet is tough as old boots! It might look a bt bare for a bit, but it'll perk up, particularly if you feed it. It was potash, I think, that was recommended...... is that right, Pal?

 

I used the ash from our log fire back then,in fact that was where I always scattered it rather than bin it, and now and again added Growmore.

 

IF it works for you.... I've heard a lot of people say they do that with their ash - seems to work!

I've just had a quick investigation by google, and apparently it's good for bananas too! Have a peek here.....

http://www.dip.go.ug/english/news/?more=154

 

Yup - just to back up everyone's posts, my dad kindly cuts my hedge (ladders, heights and hedge trimmer not a good idea in my case!), and I asked him a few years ago if he would kindly cut a deep wave in the bottom section (after visits to Leyton Hall and Portrack (see my garden visits post for pics of amazing waves!). It did look fairly woody and bare at first, but quickly grew green again! Go for it!

 

I'd tend to cut it a bit lower than you want the finished height.
That way the new shoots that come up can be trimmed to the required height.
I would have thought a nitrogen rich fertiliser would be ideal, or a balanced one at least.
Growmore sounds good.
Although the brussel sprouts always grew bigger and better where we had the bonfire years ago. :D

 

Well shiney ,that sounds like a job very well done, and it has paid off. I think I do lack a bit of gardening confidence, but I must learn to just take the bull by the horns and go for it! Did you feed it at all after the initial cut-down?
Thanks everyone for advice on this. I have listened and WILL now go forth and DO!