Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: samuria on June 23, 2023, 15:40

Title: conifers
Post by: samuria on June 23, 2023, 15:40
in need of some advice. i want to cut my large conifer hedge down by about
2ft. from the top. will this kill it? all replies  helpful   thanks....
Title: Re: conifers
Post by: jezza on June 24, 2023, 00:00
Hello it's usually a good idea to cut any hedge from the top if you cut it at the bottom there  wont be much left,now where did I put that chain saw ,conifers I hate them   jezza
Title: Re: conifers
Post by: samuria on June 24, 2023, 10:45
why is there always one !!!! i could have meant thin the sides etc.....
Title: Re: conifers
Post by: Subversive_plot on June 24, 2023, 22:25
i have a tall hedge that i would like to shorten by 3 foot off the
top. would this kill it? not going to do it in this hot weather though.
any thoughts folks....

Hello samuria - I hope this will answer your question (which I thought was clearly stated):  https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/maintain-the-garden/how-to-trim-a-conifer-hedge/ (https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/maintain-the-garden/how-to-trim-a-conifer-hedge/)

The book Pruning Simplified by Lewis Hill provides this additional information on page 11:  "Neither broadleafed evergreens nor conifers are likely to benefit greatly by severe dehorning (beheading) measures, either.  Unless the tree is young and vigorous, a drastic slashing may prove fatal."  Based on this information, I think removing 2 or 3 feet at one time might be harmful.  On page 76 of the same book, a process called shearing (for green new growth)  is described that is a technique similar to what is illustrated in the link I provided above.

Beyond that, if you want to remove more height, I would enlist the help of a professional that is experienced with maintaining conifer hedges of the specific type that you own.

I hope this helps. Good luck to you.

Title: Re: conifers
Post by: samuria on June 25, 2023, 11:09
thankyou for the nice reply. at least i can go from there.