Offering evergreen shelter, conifer hedges can bring formality and structure to the garden. Trimmed well they will provide valuable protection in the garden for years to come
Gaining structure
Conifer hedges can be trimmed throughout spring and summer to maintain a manageable height and width. Vigorous conifers need trimming two or more times a year. A final cut during mid to late August should deter excessive regrowth in autumn, resulting in a sharper silhouette throughout winter.
Pruning method
Most conifers will not regrow from old wood, and hard pruning should be avoided. If pruning exposes brown areas, tie in nearby green shoots to cover the patches. This can often be unsatisfactory, so individual plants may need replacing. Height reduction can be carried out in spring removing no more than one- third of the overall hedge height.
Renovating yew
Overgrown yew hedges can be renovated in spring and completed in stages. Cut back hard one side and the top in the first year. If regrowth is good, the other side can be cut back the following spring. If response is slow, delay the next major cut for a year, watering and feeding throughout summer using a general-purpose fertiliser. The newly exposed hedge base can be mulched with a 5-7cm layer of composted bark chips or similar (keeping stems clear of mulch). This will keep roots cool, conserve moisture and prevent weeds.
Hedges and nesting birds
When undertaking work on garden hedges check that there are no birds nesting as it is an offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.
Will Denne