Conifer Hedge Maintenance

Conifer Hedge Maintenance Leicestershire-

Maintaining your conifer hedge can be an arduous task not to mention the risks of falling off ladders etc.

One of the main factors to consider when managing your hedge is to trim the sides frequently. Most species require once a year, some every other year and some even twice a year! The reason for managing the sides is that the foliage boundary to the outside of the hedge is critical- if this is removed then it will not regenerate.

As the hedge gets wider the distance it can be cut back to from the stems increases. Shearing frequently can reduce this expansion to a minimum which will allow for sustaining the hedge for a longer period of time.

Timing can also be critical with some species susceptible to insect attack. We always suggest timing for these species to remove eggs or young to reduce numbers and potential for infestation, which could leave your hedge unsightly and requiring a new hedge to be planted.

If you want a neat and tidy hedge the top will also need to be sheared when the sides are done. If having a neat top is not essential, then it can be reduced periodically when the hedge has become too high.

If reducing the height of a hedge it should always be lower than the planned maintenance height. For example, if you require a 6ft high hedge reduce the height to 5ft 6” or a little lower. When a hedge is first reduced in height there will likely be no foliage in the centre. The only way for the foliage to cover over the centre again is for the outer growth to develop internally. This requires space; so going lower will ultimately give a much better finish. If you plan to manage the hedge yourself then hedge shears should not be used right next to where chainsaws have been used- if the shears catch a thicker branch then they can be easily damaged.

Boundary overhang from hedges can often be a problem, particularly if one side has not been managed while the rest of the hedge has. This can lead to extremely wide hedges. The remedy? The overhang can be cut back to the stems of property line but all the foliage will be removed. This will be unsightly. However, given time the foliage from the opposite side of the hedge will grow through and create a reasonable finish. Downside is that this can take years!

So you have read the above and have a conifer hedge which you suspect has become too large to manage, what now?

Its time to remove and then consider replanting. The hedge can be removed, stumps ground out and a new hedge of the same species replanted in just a day or two depending on size. However, we would always advise you to pause slightly after removal. Often the increase in light can outweigh screening or we discover that only a small section of a boundary needs screening. In which case rather than evergreen hedge a mixture of species can be used that will offer a variety of colour or interest for wildlife etc.

We will always give you high quality advice so if you are unsure please book an appointment to discuss your options. We will happily provide a fixed price quotation for works to your specification, whether you take our advice or not!