Hi Stera you can be pretty brutal so long as you do when it is still dormant. Several years ago I watched in horror as a neighbour cut their hedge back so far I thought it would die. not a bit of it grew back in months! You'll need to get on and prune as soon as possible one the birds have move as Feb. is a good time to do this.

we cut 30ft off the 'hedge' when we moved in and narrowed it down by 3ft each side. it gets a trim twice a year know to keep its height at about 15ft. each trunk is at least 2ft diam.
so go for it stera.

I would not worry about the sheltering birds, it is far better to do it now than when they are nesting in the hedge. As the climate gets warmer this can be as early as February/March time.

OK we'll go for it. It only needs doing on one side so i hope it wont then concentrate all its efforts on the other!

It won't Stera...

We had some huge, and I mean huge, Beech trees. Originally I think planted as a hedge by a previous owner and left after that. We had to have them cut down to about 10ft, (they are over the top of the drain run) so they were stumps with the odd sprout! They got covered in ivy and this year I rescued them from being smothered and they are recovering. Think there is an awful lot you have to do to Beech to kill it off!

All very encouraging - thank you folks! (Our hedge is being threatened by ivy too but that can wait a bit...its still on the ground for now.)

Don't let it get up into the Beeches, pull it out whilst you can...

So my conscience keeps nagging me, lol! Not the nicest of jobs but I guess I'd better get on with it - thanks for the rocket!

Well MG you inspired me - half one side is now done. The muddy clothes are in the washer and loads of ivy on the bonfire heap. Horrible job it was too.

Great...