Too late to prune hedge?

Hi everyone,


Very first post!


I planted a RPSB approved hedge in November. I ordered it online from Best4Hedging. It came as bare root “twigs” of hawthorn, blackthorn, bird cherry, god rose and guelder rose. It really didn’t look like much when I first planted it, just many sticks poking out of the ground. Seven months later and it is very leafy BUT some “twigs” are now quite tall (about 1.7m I think).

How do I stop them from turning into trees? I think I should have pruned the hedge in early spring, but it didn’t seem that tall at the time. Can I just snip the top of the tall “twigs” now or is it too late in the year?

Thanks in advance for your help! As you can tell I am a beginner.

 

@MarionGarden I don't know about the rest of your hedge but I used to trim my hawthorn hedge when required at any time of year without any ill effect.

 

Hi @MarionGarden , welcome!

Your hedge sounds brilliant, it will be a wildlife haven very soon. Well done for going for a nature friendly hedge

Totally agree with mazambo, the plants can be pruned as needed when they are growing. There are no hard rules for informal hedges, go with what the plants are doing.

 

Thank you both! I’m relieved to learn that I can do some pruning now. I will give it a good this weekend :-)

 

Hi MG, good to hear you have a bird/wildlife friendly hedge. When it gets more established it may be best to prune it around February time. By then hopefully no birds will be nesting and any nectar or berries will have been used as food by wildlife. It will also set up the hedge for the new growth in spring.

Regards

Blackstart