By Jackrussell
Northamptonshire,
United Kingdom 
We have a leylandii hedge about 18ft high and 12 ft long, it provides a sound barrier and supports a fence, We feel it is getting to high now and would like it reduced by about a foot making it roughly 1 ft above the fence, We have had 3 Quotes all at vastly different prices ,2 suggest having a tight trim due to cost and work involved, the other says either, but if we reduce the top the branches at the top will go a bit wild,we appreciate that the middle of the hedge at the very top would not look green but that wouldn’t be seen, our leaning is towards reducing it as that in turn should make it easier to maintain in the future , although as we are elderly it won’t be us maintaining it.
Has anyone any thoughts on this , removing altogether in our position is not an option.
19 Aug, 2023
Answers
I would have it cut down to your required height. If, as you say that you had it reduced in height some time ago and it responded well, then this shouldn't be a problem.
20 Aug, 2023
Have booked the tree surgeon to reduce the height , decision made, thank you both. Meadowland & jimmytheone.
22 Aug, 2023
Have booked the tree surgeon to reduce the height, decision made, thank you both.
22 Aug, 2023
Will do, ( middle September )
22 Aug, 2023
Hedge cut and lowered , good decision on height .
26 Sep, 2023
Sorry I thought I had !!!!
26 Sep, 2023
Can’t seem to be able to send picture
26 Sep, 2023
Thank you for your reply, we wouldn’t attempt it ourselves now , the top was cut some years ago but it has still managed to grow higher which of course means at intervals a thicker trunk at the top ,that is the issue we are not sure about , do we have it reduced to the hight we would prefer, or do we just have it trimmed because there may be problems if we reduce it a ft. We have had quotes for both .
20 Aug, 2023