Renovate deciduous hedges

Large and overgrown deciduous hedges, such as beech, forsythia, hawthorn and hornbeam, can be cut back to size anytime from now until February (wait until April for evergreens). Cut the top back of tall hedges to about 30cm below the required height, which will provide sufficient space for new growth. Hedges under 1.2m tall should be cut back to about 1m. To reduce the width, cut back about 30cm further than the final hedge width required, smaller hedges should be cut back by about half the final hedge width desired. Very mature hedges my need cutting back over a two-year period, cutting back one side in the first year and the other side in the second.

Tools required

loppers, secateurs

Skill rating

moderate