Restoring a Privet Hedge

So, Shiney, you cut it, then feed it so as it will grow again, so you can cut it again?

 

Thanks for the advice Shiney but I've never heard of feeding a hedge by spraying it before. I was just going to feed it at the roots like I assume everyone else does.

 

Time of year to hack back? Best to wait till spring?

 

As long as there is no frost forecast, it can be done now.

 

Apologies for bumping a year old thread but I thought I would update it.

I cut back the sides successfully last year but just when I reached the end, in early may I think (it took me months to do on my own!) I found a nest of blackbirds. I left them alone and then found over time that the three chicks in the nest when I found it disappeared one by one. I wondered if I disturbed the nest and the mother then abandoned her young and then they were taken by a predator over time perhaps?

The privet's sides look much neater now and I want to tackle lowering the top this year. Currently it stands at 8ft and want to reduce it to 6ft so I can reach the top without assistance. But am worried about disturbing the nesting birds if I leave it too late and killing the privet if I do it now in these freezing temperatures.

Yours thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

Try to keep the top of the hedge narrower than the bottom, this will allow light to reach the whole hedge and the narrow top will not be easily damaged by heavy snow (next year)

 

I need to have a go at mine and I'm gonna do what Spruce says. I've just been burgled (again) and the Sleeping Beauty style hedge sheltering my front garden is implicated, yet again, as contributory negligence. So I'm planning to get at least 6" permanently off all round, it's about 6' high and broad as a Shire horse at the moment.

I'm going to start asap, no matter what the weather. I don't think a recently pruned privet will be bothered about a sharp frost. Then it'll be ready to green out as soon as the sap rises.

I quite like it for it's neat, dapper appearance in the winter- when tidily clipped! Mine doesn't have blossom because it's never allowed to have much flowering wood left on. I like the fact that it's easy to care for, as long as I put the work in. On the plus side, when I'm out on the pavement chopping for hours, I get to chat to neighbours I never knew I had!

 

Lovely expression. Come the referendum on the EU we can vote not to have to change that to "broad as a Charolais" or somesuch Metric equivalent