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When is too late for hedge pruning?
Mark56
Posts: 1,653
So last week Beechgrove recommended hedge pruning around now in order for the cuts to have time to heal before the frosts set in. How late can I leave my privet before suffering die back in the South East?
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I have the same question / dilemma with my Portuguese Laurel hedge. I'm also in the south so would also be interested in the replies on this although I'm thinking it's a little too late for me now.
Round here, we could do privet at almost any time up to the end of October. It can take any amount of water, so it doesn't lose it's foliage so readily, and can take the low temps, snow and cold ground without being affected in any way. If you have drier conditions, which I'm guessing you do, I wouldn't leave it too late. It doesn't do so well with drier conditions, so if you get a frost, I think it suffers a bit more. Even if any new growth gets nipped by frost, you can prune it off during a mild spell. An established, healthy hedge will shrug it off.
I wouldn't worry too much about it - it's pretty hard to kill
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I wouldn't worry to much. I've pruned hedges November through to March no problem, obviously avoid hard frost forecasts. I avoid anything slightly tender here like Bay - pittosporum til spring.
Privets are ideally done late May / June and again late August / September.