what is it made of at the moment, Hank?
What effect do you want to achieve? Do you still want it to screen the view or are you after something lower?
What is on the other side - lawn, paving, flowers beds/borders?

I have a particular aversion to high hedges so my thought would be to take it out, leaving the wall as the boundary and then take advantage of the space and light gained by planting some specimen plants - depending on how adventurous you're feeling you could re-design the whole front garden around what appears to be a christmas tree in the middle of the pic.

All sorts of bushes including holly. Sadly I've no idea what the others are. Looks awful, some ugly thick branches showing. It also provides hiding places for vandals etc which I've never liked. I'd like an ordinary hedge about 3ft tall which I can cut perfectly straight, but I want it to grow quickly.
Actually I've no idea at all about hedges - or flowers, I just enjoy growing veg in my raised beds and my greenhouse.

I would also get rid of the ugly wall. How about purple berberis as a hedge or purple beech?

Why not just cut the existing hedge down by a half or more? Then see how it grows (or not grows), if it doesn't look good you could remove it next year and perhaps plant a row of lavender which the bees love.

Thanks for the ideas, I check them out.

Try posting some pics of the individual trees/shrubs so that we can see what they are. Some might respond to cutting down better than others. privet, for example, can be cut down almost to the ground and will survive but conifers probably won't if they've already lost the lower branches.

Unless you can get on with this in the next week or two, you're probably better planning to replace it next year - lop it back now and if you don't like it in the spring you can dig it out then and start improving the soil before new planting next autumn. Unfortunately it isn't a quick, weekend job

I tend to agree with Botanic regarding growing Berberis. It's quite fast growing, easy to cut and maintain and believe me, the spiny thorns will prevent any vandals hiding in it.

I'm not sure how to put individual photos on here or I'd be happy to do it. Directions please.

Berberis looks good but there are so many. How on earth does one choose ?

Couple of things, Hank. I'd definitely strip out what's there as you've got permission and I'm assuming you're keeping the wall, although you may find it collapses as the roots of the larger shrubs there are bored out, something which must be done so you can replant. Those seventies style deco bricks aren't usually on good footings, so it may be you end up losing the wall as well, time will tell. I'm also assuming that whoever gave you permission didn't make any stipulations about what you must put there instead (whether it must be a hedge or nothing, or whatever).

If you are keeping the wall, and you want a hedge of about 3 feet high, do you mean 3 feet above the height of the wall, or 3 feet high from the base of whatever plant you use? and I'm gathering you'd like a formal hedge that you cut to shape 2 or 3 times a year.

Regarding Berberis, there are one or two contenders that don't get too tall, but they're pretty nasty to work with when cutting, not thorny exactly, but a great number of sharp, short prickly bits that easily get into your skin. Is the area very sunny or quite shaded, or better, which way does it face, if you know.

Thanks B,
I don't care what happens to the wall, I built it some 30 years ago when I was "skint" and if it needs pulling down now - no problem. I was a bricklayer about a million years ago and can still put 1 on top of 2 although a bit slower now.
I want a hedge as you say, about 3ft tall that I can trim as necessary. I didn't really want something prickly but have seen what I would like close by. Wish I could enclose a photo here so someone could identify it but don't have the skill.

If the ground isn't too wet there, Brachyglottis Sunshine would work (previously called Senecio 'Sunshine). If, though, its an area that remains damp all the time it probably won't like that too much. Can be cut back as hard as you like, or just kept trimmed to a certain shape a couple of times a year.

Otherwise there's Box (Buxus microphyllus or sempervirens) - I hesitate to suggest it because there are a couple of diseases affecting Box now, so it's not as reliable as it once was.

For Berberis, if you only want 2-3 feet high, B. thunbergi atropurpureum 'nana' makes a nice hedge - decidous though, but you won't need to cut it twice yearly, it can be left to grow as it likes because it doesn't get large, if you space the plants about a foot to 18 inches apart. For a proper hedge that you cut to shape, they'd need to be a bit closer together. Needs at least 5 hours sun to colour up properly though, will remain green in too much shade.

For evergreen Berberis, there is a newish variety out called Berberis darwinii 'nana', which makes about 3 feet high and wide, if you can find it somewhere, probably online. The ordinary Berberis darwinii is a good hedge, but it gets much taller at 8-9 feet.

Hank if you can't add photos to your question its easy to add them to a blog. Then just say on your question that you've put them on a blog and everyone will be able to see them. I'd suggest adding them to your photos but you wouldn't want them there permanently!

Easy enough to add pics to the question by going to the end of your original question and hitting the "update question" button. Though if you're using an iPad there are problems at the moment with the new system (iOS 8)

B. thunbergi atropurpureum 'nana' is the one I was thinking about - great hedge plant and I find it fast growing. Somewhat prone to dieback with planted but regrows.

I was thinking of taking out the breeze blocks to make the wall modern and the purple of the Berberis would look good and lend kerb appeal.

Thanks very much for all your comments, much appreciated. I now have to do some research - both on the internet and at the local garden centre, starting this morning. And I look forward to producing some photos for your perusal.

Botanic, i quite like your idea of removing the " blocks ", then completing the top course of bricks and the left hand pier level with the right hand one. Then setting a hedge close behind it to " bush out " over the top of the wall.
And i'm looking at a " Beech Green Fagus Sylvatice" hedge if I can find this.

A beech hedge will get bigger than you want though - and even if you manage to keep it to three feet it will get very wide.(Think of a m,ature beech tree - this is what a hedge want to turn into left to itself) Have you looked at Lonicera nitida? there is a golden leaved one as well as the dull green. I still think the berberis would look nice though, and the nana would be the least trouble as the nana woudln't need trimming. (I bought one last week!)

Oh, I guess I read the info about the beech wrongly. I'll google the lonicera nitida, although I've never in my life heard of any of the ones you guys are coming up with.
And I'll check out the berberis again. Thanks Sue.

I have to say that I quite like screen block walls when they're in keeping with the age of the property. Looks as though there is a crack in the brick/block work at the change in levels though. I'd still be interested to know what is on the other side of the wall as the choice of hedge should really be part of the whole design.

I suspect it might be beans and cabbages - Hank is a self confessed non flower grower!

Lonicera nitida is a good idea - I'm beginning to wonder if I'm losing some of my marbles, that one didn't occur to me, Steragram, oh dear... Lonicera nitida 'Baggesen's Gold' is probably more attractive, but there's a new one out called L. nitida 'Lemon Beauty' which is, to my eye, the most attractive one.

Urbanite, the front garden was my wife's favourite place and I've not touched it for 6 1/2 years except for trimming the bushes. It's now wild and overgrown and passers by admire it, describing it as beautiful ! ? ! I don't agree but I wouldn't have a clue where to start. Even the monkey puzzle tree in the centre is now 12 to 14 ft tall and I'm wondering about that too.
Am still looking at all your suggestions and may come to a conclusion soon. Decisione, decisions !

First step might be to just cut the hedge back to a height that you're happy with, while you decide what to plant. A lower hedge might also deter your vandals as they can't hide behind it so easily.
Not sure what you can do with MP tree - one of those trees that seem like a good idea at the time! But probably not suited to a suburban garden in the long term. At that height it's still relatively young so I guess it depends on how 'attached' you are to it, but you'll certainly notice it starting to get a lot bigger as it matures.

Re the Monkey Puzzle, they are often temporary visitors, but otherwise, you can remove some of the lower branches as it gets taller...

At the risk of upsetting somebody I would remove the monkey puzzle before it gets any bigger. I really really would.
Bamboo I think you still have plenty of marbles to spare! The lemon nitida sounds very nice, hadn't heard of that one, but do you think yellow would complement the wall? I reckon green or red would look better.

If the wall is to be kept, red or dark coloured leaves would be the most striking - but Lonicera is such a good hedge, non prickly, doesn't get huge, responds well to cutting, that it's a good choice. Lemon beauty has bright green in it, it's variegated with bright yellow, and I think that'd look better than plain yellow, and better than the ordinary, boring, dull greyish green of the plain Lonicera nitida. But its not up to me, it's up to Hank and whatever he likes best!

That Lemon Beauty sounds as if it might be nice grown as a standard too (not that this is any help to Hank, sorry Hank!)

Thanks all. Am now sharpening up my saw to sort out the monkey puzzle tree. Does anyone know how big or deep the roots will be ? ( or how difficult !).

Good decision Hank. You could just saw it off as low as you can and SBK whats left?

At that size, they'll be pretty deep, you may need to hire a stump grinder if you want it out completely. The worst part is actually trying not to get stabbed all over when working there it - wear a hat and eye protection as well as thick clothing and thick gloves. I speak from experience here - and the one I shifted was only 7 feet... I looked like I'd gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson by the time I'd finished.

Thanks, now I need a "feature" plant in the middle of my small front garden to take the place of the M.P. Tree.
I am convinced that the pot in which my bay tree is situated is no longer larger enough and wondered if this would suffice ?
Apparently I can't add a photo of it here so will attempt to put it in a brief blog. Fingers crossed !

Oh, no, please don't plant your bay tree, UNLESS it's a standard, that is, a ball of foliage on top of a clear stem which you prune to shape, and even then, it'll sucker everywhere. Bay trees are so densely foliaged they provide deep, dark shade year round and actually seem to suck the light out of the surrounding area when allowed to be a proper tree.

How much space is there for this specimen plant exactly?

B. Just saw your other info. It is a standard, the top diameter being 30 inches and about 1ft4 deep and the trunk about 5ft.
The garden area is approx only 20 ft x 10ft altogether between paths. (Hedge at front and paths 3 sides).
The M.P.tree stands in the centre on a raised area, surrounded by a low stone wall, with a narrow path all round it. (Wish I could draw a sketch).
Will try to put a photo in a new question, taken from the South.
Please don't criticize too much, apart from trimming the 2 bushes nothing's been touched for 6 years as I don't know where to start

Fret ye not, Hank, I shall not be criticising at all...

I've seen your next question with the photo. Not as bad as you might have convinced yourself. You may need to invest in some good secateurs and a bit of time but it certainly isn't beyond redemption except for the monkey puzzle tree.

If you do decide to replace the tree have you thought of a tallish bush rather than a tree? Have a look at Berberis darwinii Helmond Pillar - red leaves, upright habit and doesn't normally get much over five feet. But planting something else there would involve taking the tree root out rather than just SBK-ing it.

As another thought... rather than removing the tree if the branches were removed would it rejuvenate from the massacred trunk? I'm thinking the trunk might be used for supporting a clematis or some other climber, perhaps.

That's a thought Urbanite, I wonder it that's possible ?

I'm going loopy. Please delete Berberis darwinii and substitute Berberis thunbergii - the Helmond Pillar bit was correct.Sorry.

The B.T.A.H.P. (Atropurpurea) you mentioned looks superb Sue. I'd priced up the number I wanted which was fine then I noticed it's described as slow-growing.

Small ones are slow, fast growers usually don't stop when you want them to. You pays your money and takes your choice.

Decisions, decisions ! And I get more indecisive every day,