This Hall Green photo shows a tall conifer hedge running along the edge of a lawn, standing far higher than the fence in front of it. A smaller rounded shrub sits at its foot and the lawn beyond is neatly kept. It is a clear picture of how a hedge like this can outgrow a garden if it is left.
How a hedge this tall is dealt with
Conifer hedges grow quickly, and once they reach this height they cast long shadows and take light from the garden. Reducing one means working from the sides and the top, usually with ladders or a platform, and taking the height down in stages. Conifers do not regrow from bare brown wood, so cutting must stop while green growth remains.
Planning the work
This photo shows the hedge as it stood, not the finished result. Before cutting, check the hedge for nesting birds in spring and summer, and talk to the neighbour if the hedge sits on a shared boundary. Afterwards the clippings need clearing from the lawn and fence line. Once reduced, a regular trim keeps a hedge manageable and stops it needing heavy cutting again.
