Yew Hedge

What is the best approach when cutting back a yew hedge that has gotten completely out of control. It has reached 15ft high with a similar spread. Do you take the top off first or the sides? or do you cut the whole lot in one go?

 

We had a yew hedge which reached 20ft and about a 15ft width. After consultations with a local tree man we tiook off the top and ONE side only (as there is a danger of stunting all growth apparently if you do the two sides)and an appropriate feed and mulch put all round the roots. This was carried out during the late winter. In the autumn the other side was given a very light manicure and more feed, and the following late winter we cut back the remaining side as new growth was well established on the first side. After that side recovered we adopted a yearly light trim until we left those premises. It all seemed to work very well. Hope yours does too.

 

With a yew, you could chop it to the ground, and it would still come back!! So don't worry about stunting its growth, Eusebius!

I'd do the top first, then there's less side to cut

Yew is the only (so-called) conifer to behave like this, so don't do the same to any other evergreen conifer hedges (not unless you want rid of them, that is! :D )

 

Don't wish to bore GC regulars but Cupressus sempervirens also can be coppiced if started in early life, and often is in those warm and pleasant parts where a person called Eusebius might be expected to come from. I seem to remember that in some climates Abies might be able to take the same punishment; but wouldn't swear to it and wouldn't wish to encourage GCers with chainsaws to put their professional integrity on the line by trying it.

 

On the other hand it might be quite a laugh :D

 

:D

Didn't know that about cupressus sempervirens! Mental note to self.... :rolleyes:

Have now googled on this, and come up with a lovely pciture!
http://sphakia.classics.ox.ac.uk/FMPro?-DB=WebSphakiaPhotoLink&-Format=showphoto.html&OverallPhotoID==09.034&-Find

[ 29. October 2006, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: dendrobium ]