New privet hedge

Hi, I'm waiting for a delivery of bare root privet plants in November and was just wondering what I need to do after I plant them. Do I just leave them until spring time before I do any pruning or do I need to cut them back as soon as I plant them? The plants will be 60-80cm when planted.

 

I would cut back by 1/3rd when they start sprouting in Spring, to make the bottoms bush out.

Before they arrive I would enrich a planting trench with manure / similar as they are greedy feeders. (Don't leave the trench open as that will make the base of the trench cold particularly if we get a spell of Arctic weather)

 

Thanks Kristen.