Pruning privet hedge

I would like to take our large privet hedge down by about a foot, which will mean cutting back to brown on the top. The sides will just get a trim and still be green.

Will this be ok - I assume it will green up on the top again over time?

It is shading half the garden at the moment.

Cheers EGW

 

You can hack privet down more than that if you want. I have reduced a 10 foot hedge by a half in the past.

 

I think privet actually needs to be hacked back every now and again to keep it fresh looking.

 

Thanks guys - a fun job for my husband this week then - if it ever stops raining! :(