[soaplady]

Hi, Wonder if anyone can help. We have a huge beech hedge which splits our garden in half. There are two arches going through into the other part of the garden,  and we really like it.

The issue we have is, it is getting taller, but we don't know how to cut it to bring it down quite a bit. It is probably fifteen foot high, and we would like to take at least two feet off of it. Will this damage it if we just lop it off. We have only been here a couple ofyears, and are extending the house. So although we do prune the hedge all along the sides, we haven't yet tackled the top, but it desperately needs doing.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Soaplady

[gillie]

We have a similar hedge between us and our neighbours.  Every few years we cut several feet off the top to keep it in hand.  We also cut our side hard back to the trunks (rather than just trimming) occasionally.  Last summer the neighbours had their side professionally cut back very hard as it had got out of control.

Apart from looking a bit ugly for a few weeks until the leaves have regrown we have not done this hedge any harm whatever.

Cheers,

Gillie

[robinsnest]

Hi, you can reduce its height by up to half if the hedge is too tall. Take it down a bit more than you need to so there is fresh growth on top for you to trim later.

Although you should not do so at the same time (i.e. the same winter), you can also reduce its width by up to half. Prune one side the first year and the other side the following winter. Take the branches on one side back to within 30cms (12") of the main trunks in the middle of the hedge (and very lightly trim the branches on the other side). Just do one side in one winter as you will cut out a large number of dormant growth buds, and these need to regenerate the following spring and summer.

If the first side grows back well, do the other one the next year (always in the winter). If recovery is slow leave the second side alone for a further 12 months.

For tall and fat hedges spread your remedial work out over three years. Reduce the height first as it shortens the sides lessening the work for subsequent years.

Water well in the year following pruning and remember your beech hedge would love a top dressing of Growmore (or organic equivilant) in the spring.

[madcat]

We inherited an overgrown beech ....  lump ... I can't think of a more descriptive word for it,  that we tamed over a number of years.  First year we trimmed half way round hard (about 2ft of growth... something like that) and the next year the rest, plus the usual trimming of the first half.  Then in year three we had a good go at reducing the height by about 3ft, maybe more.  We did it in February time .... when it was dormant and before the birds started to nest.  We also gave it a good feed with bonemeal and compost each time, and now the compost heap is next to it.

Each time the trimmed bit looked a bit drastic, but as soon as the leaves came it started to shoot on the old wood.  Beech is tough, but hungry.  The little birds love it for cover. :happy:

[arugula]

But don't let it get like this. Sorry, I'll get my coat.....

[madcat]

Now that is something!  Amazing that it has survived intact.  What do they do with all the hedge trimmings each year   One heck of a bonfire.

[arugula]

Don't know what they do with the trimmings, Madcat. I must agree with the author on this page I posted that, it can actually be a bit underwhelming when you first see the thing - most likely because you can't actually see it properly!

[madcat]

I've had a look on a map and I must have driven past it - but don't remember.  Eyes on the road, not on a green wall I suppose.  Must have been gorgeous this autumn when the leaves turned.   :happy:

We had one in previous house (so not on the scale of this) that was home to clouds of whitefly.  Bluetits loved it as a feeding ground but ...  definitely modified rapture.

[RichardA]

we have beech hedges about 8 foot high with arches into our second plot that we bought from next door. i cut it hard about every second or third year incl reducing height from about 12 foot back to 8 foot on a regular basis. Never hurts the hedge, I avoid the nesting season but rarely ever hit the ideal time for cutting so I have cut it at every time of year. Just (I am told) never do it when frost is likely in next few days as it causes die back for an inch or so of the cut ends and could in theory let disease in.
Getting rid of the cuttings is the main problem, too tedious to shred and I dont like to burn so in the trailer and down the tip. Perhaps it I was better organised and did it every year ??

[soaplady]

Hi all,

Thankyou so much for your replies. We will give the hedge top a good hard cut back this year then. If I can work it out will post piccies.

Thanks again

Soaplady