[poultrygeist]

Been playing with our hedge after neglecting it last year.

We planted a few hazels in a gap a couple of years ago and they are now about 5-6ft high with a couple of laterals. The leaf buds are just startign to burst.

Am I still ok to prune back to encourage some sideways growth (eg. cut down to about 3 ft) or should I wait until this winter and be less severe ?

Thanks

Rob

[Stripey_cat]

You can coppice hazel (cut it to the ground, and it'll regrow!).  It does tend to be upright-bushy, though, so you might want to look into hedge-laying as a longer-term solution.

[poultrygeist]

Cheers Stripey Cat.

Would now be ok to take it down to say 3ft ?

I wasn't sure if it should be left once the leaf buds are bursting or whether it's ok. I read that it can be done OCt-Mar but it may assume a later spring.

Rob

[Rangerkris]

I would leave it now do it in October. Shame you was not 4 week earlier the catkins are out here and thats a sign the sap has risen. you would get away with it as long as there are shoot below where you cut but its not best practice. i would take out at ground level and get more stems growth next winter rather than 3ft high.

[poultrygeist]

Cheers Kris. I'll keep that in mind. have to write off this year's growth but at least the roots can get better established.

Rob

[Rangerkris]

Let us know what you do.

[poultrygeist]

will do.