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Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom Gb

Trimming beech: Please can someone tell me how hard we can cut our hedge back? The drive is getting a bit too narrow!
The hedge was planted by the original owners only a few inches from the edge of the drive but it must be about 20 years old now and getting fatter.. Its about 5 feet high, a good three feet thick and 100 feet long...
Its a reasonable thickness for what it is but a bit thinner wold be useful.

It wouldn't be done until Spring as the little birds like to shelter in it in winter.




Answers

 

Hi Stera, I cannot help but I will be interested in the replies. We planted ours 8 years ago, we trim twice a year, it looks years to establish but like yours it's getting fatter now. Great hedges, aren't they. Just spoke to husband and he suggests cutting into the older wood twice a year but reduce gradually, not too much all at once.

30 Dec, 2017

 

Thanks Dawn. Could be worth trying. There's just the terrifying idea that if it doesn't break we'll be stuck with bare branches...

30 Dec, 2017

 

Yes worrying

30 Dec, 2017

 

Strangely there were more replies, and they have now disappeared!
Anyway thanks to Moongrower for inspiring me to make a start on removing the ivy from underneath it. I got about a third of the way along one side and got very muddy - gloves, jacket and hat are in the washing machine, well rotted beech leafmould is on the veg patch and loads of ivy on the bonfire - hurray!

1 Jan, 2018

 

You must be pleased you've made a start. Soggy and sludgey here too.
I saw another reply too, gremlins!

1 Jan, 2018

 

I feel silly now -I accidentally asked the question twice and the other replies I thought were lost were actually on the second one. Where's Wally?

2 Jan, 2018

 

Haha just the kind of thing I do, we're only human x

2 Jan, 2018

How do I say thanks?

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