Start by identifying the hedge

Before picking up the shears, work out what you have. Privet, beech, hornbeam, laurel and many mixed native hedges will shoot again from old wood, so they can take a hard cut. Conifers, including Leylandii, mostly will not, and cutting into bare brown wood can leave permanent gaps. Plenty of garden hedges around Birmingham are a mix of old privet, laurel and conifers planted by earlier owners, so it is worth looking closely rather than assuming.

Look at the whole picture first

Walk the full length and look at height, width and the state of the base. Hedges that have been left to grow often become wide and tall at the top, thin and gappy at the bottom, and heavy with dead material inside. Check for hidden things before you start: wires, fence panels, boundary posts and nesting birds. Think about where the clippings will go, because a big cutback produces a lot of waste. A quick look from both sides of the boundary, where you can, helps to show what is really going on.

How to reduce a hardy hedge

For hedges that regrow from old wood, the usual approach is to cut in stages. One year take the sides back and reduce the height, and the next year do the other side or take the top lower again. Spreading it out reduces the shock to the plant. In some cases a hard renovation back to a framework of stems is possible, but it leaves the hedge bare for a season and is better planned with some care. Cut slightly narrower at the top than at the base so light reaches the lower growth.

  • Reduce height and width over more than one cut where you can
  • Keep the top narrower than the base
  • Clear fallen cuttings so they do not smother the base
  • Feed and water after a hard cut in dry spells

Conifers need extra care

With Leylandii and other conifers, the rule is to stay within the green. Trim back the outer foliage but leave some green behind. If the green is only a thin layer, a big reduction may not be possible, and replacing the hedge may be the honest answer. Where height is the issue, a tall conifer hedge is often better handled by a crew that can work safely at height and clear the heavy waste.

What you can safely do yourself

A low hedge that you can reach from the ground is a sensible weekend job with sharp shears or a trimmer. Wear eye protection and gloves, keep leads away from the blade and never work on a ladder with a powered trimmer. Tall hedges, hedges beside roads or neighbours' windows, and anything near power lines should be left to professionals.

Timing and nesting birds

Late winter and early spring, before birds start nesting, is often a good time for a big cut, while a lighter trim can follow in summer. Check carefully for nests before any cutting from spring onwards, and wait if you find one in use. Nesting birds are protected, so this is not just courtesy. Our separate guide on hedge cutting and nesting birds goes into more detail.

Getting a hand with it

If your hedge has got beyond a weekend's work, we can cut it back in sensible stages, take the clippings away and sweep up. Hedge height, length, access and the amount of waste all affect the work, so seeing the hedge is the reliable way to know what it involves. We will explain what can be saved, what is better replaced, and how to keep the hedge in shape afterwards so it does not get away from you again.

Want it looked at properly?

Tell us what you have and we will arrange to visit, explain what is needed and give you a free, no-obligation quote. See our hedge trimming page, or send us photos on WhatsApp.

Common Questions

How hard can I cut back an overgrown hedge?

It depends on the species. Privet, beech, hornbeam and laurel generally regrow from old wood and can be cut hard, ideally in stages. Conifers usually cannot, so you should stay within the green foliage. If you are unsure what the hedge is, ask before cutting.

When is the right time to cut back a hedge?

Late winter or early spring, before nesting begins, is often a good time for heavy work, with lighter trims later. Whatever the season, check for nests first. If birds are nesting, it is wiser to wait until they have finished. If birds are nesting, wait until they have finished.

Should I cut the top and sides in one go?

You can, but with a very overgrown hedge it is gentler to stage the work over two seasons. Reducing the sides one year and the height the next helps the plants recover, and it keeps the hedge looking tidy in between. For a hedge that is only slightly overgrown, one careful cut may be enough. Either way, check for nests first.

What happens to all the clippings?

A big cutback produces a surprising amount of green waste. We take it away and sweep the paths and borders afterwards, so you are not left with piles to deal with. It is worth mentioning access to the hedge when you ask for a visit. Leaving it all to the gardener is much easier than hauling sacks across the garden.