How to Increase Height of a Rough Hedge

We have a perimeter hedge - mostly hawthorn with a few other Odds & Sods - standard countryside hedge, no special plants, nothing uniform. It separates our-bit from the fields alongside, so has not been manicured over the years. In places its thick enough to keep the deer out, in others there is nothing (which we are replanting this Autumn), and in others its a "bit thin". I'm sure you can imagine ... The thin bits don't get any better year-on-year (but I could give them some Nitrogen in the spring, and stop the grass competing with them)

The hedge is kept trimmed at about 5' 6"

I'm thinking that as we expand the garden getting more shelter would be a good thing, and I'm considering letting it grow up to, say, 10' for that purpose.

Is it going to be a straggly mess if allowed to just regrow? or will ti be fine?

I could pinch-tips as it gets more height to help it thicken, or I could let it grow to 6" past the desired height and then cut back to that point (and, either way, trim the face as it grows for anything sticking out too far)

I'd appreciate your thoughts and suggestions

Thanks

 

I think you need to look into hedge laying, I think thats what its called, where by you let it grow tall and then cut half way through the stems and them bend them down horizontal to make it impenetrable.

You can then let it grow tall again but it will be thick at the bottom.

 

Yes, out in the countryside we occasionally see a layed hedge, so I know just what you mean. Expensive to have done, unfortunately. A house near here was done up a few years back; the hedge at the front (which was pathetic!) was layed, and within two years it was 7' or 8' heigh and a beautiful thing. For a wind-break I don't need it to be as solid as a wall, of course, but I don't want it to be a complete dead loss either ... and I certainly don't want to grub it out and replant - although I would prefer to have a single-variety hedge as the back-drop to the beds I'm going to be making.

 

It was just an Idea to tinker with in those gappy bits, have a go yourself, not suggesting getting someone in to do it.

 

Pity you're not a bit nearer Kirsten, I could have leant you my BTCV book on hedgelaying & my bill hook.

http://shop.btcv.org.uk/shop/level2/59/level

You can buy one there though

 

Yes, good point, with the gappy-bits I have nothing to lose, so could try myself

I have a bill hook Ziggy (no jokes about the M-i-L's Hook Bill ) and the book looks good - a proper manual rather than a lightweight summary?

P.S. And Amazon stock it a couple of quid off :thumb: