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Conifers cut back to put up fence

partybushiretyronerEPwNIjMpartybushiretyronerEPwNIjM Posts: 4
edited March 2021 in Problem solving
Apologies if this is in the wrong area, I’m new to this and stumped for ideas. 

So we have a comfier border hedge in between me and a neighbour, before we start there is no talking to the neighbour. He has actually fenced over his side of the hedge, in an ideal perfect world it would be cut out, but the actual hedge is planted on his side. 

My question is what is the easiest way to cut the hedge back to the boundary line. I’ve another at least 6-10 inches to go back. 

I’m putting up a 6ft fence and want it as close to my boundary as possible. 

I’ve got back this far with a petrol hedge cutter but the branches are getting to thick. Link shows the hedge now. 

https://www44.online-convert.com/dl/web7/download-file/a2ef0407-27f3-47f0-a95b-f05ef155a061/09D161EF-044E-44E5-B893-AD37B62AC7C7.webp

Apologies also for the gardeners who’s hearts are probably breaking cutting back a perfectly good hedge and probably damaging it, but unfortunately it looked dreadful and had dead patches in it. 
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  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    It's probably leylandii so it won't grow back from where it's been cut back to brown wood, so you can cut it back to the boundary and put the fence right up against it. . Use loppers for the thicker branches. It will keep growing from the green at the top though.
    Legally you should offer the trimmings back to the neighbour but as they've already fenced their side, they obviously don't love it and I don't think I'd bother. Most people wouldn't when it's hedge trimming rather than pruning a tree.

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • partybushiretyronerEPwNIjMpartybushiretyronerEPwNIjM Posts: 4
    edited March 2021
    Thanks Jenny. The hedge cutters started getting stuck with the thicker branches. I still need it back a brave bit, to get closer to my boundary. We have a porch so don’t want the fence to be close to our window. 

    In an ideal world as I said, it would be best taken out, this would benefit both sides allowing us to put up a good strong straight fence, rather than having a dead hedge between us! 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Agreed, but if it's the neighbour's hedge then you'd need them onside. I know you said you weren't going to talk to them, but would it at least be worth a try if you offer to do the work? Best scenario would be for you to cut them back to the ground (taking the roots out would be ideal but might affect their fence posts) and put your fence at the boundary or just to your side), then they could have more garden space if they wanted it.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Nothing to add to Jenny's good advice but unable to open your photo link.
    You can add one 8nto yoyr post by using the icon that looks like a mountain and reducing the size if it wont load.
    Don't worry if it comes out sideways for done reason most photos are doing this.

  • partybushiretyronerEPwNIjMpartybushiretyronerEPwNIjM Posts: 4
    Photo has been sorted i believe.

    In reply to Jenny, we unfortunately wouldn’t even consider approaching him. We are about to enter a long legal battle with him in regards to on going harassment. But cant go into much detail online 😂

    But even if I don’t get right back to the boundary, I don’t believe the hedge will grow back at all. It’s beyond its life, it’ll be slow process with the loopers to cut it back but it’ll get down eventually. Rome wasn’t built in a day! 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited March 2021
    Know anyone with a chainsaw?  It would only be a 30 minute job to cut back to your boundary as described with one of those.  Having a dead hedge in between two fences is less than ideal, I agree, but it may also serve as a valuable nesting place for garden birds. :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • partybushiretyronerEPwNIjMpartybushiretyronerEPwNIjM Posts: 4
    Hi Bob, I can get my hands on a chainsaw if needed! 

    I did look online that it make cause quite bad bounce back, but the branches are really thick. And tangled so the chainsaw would have something to dig into in my mind. 

    Definitely not ideal but what is in these days 😂
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    If you wear the correct protective gear, it's not too dangerous using one.  The most important thing in my experience is to keep your left arm straight and rigid, so any kick-back will be kept well clear of your body.  Also, cut down, not up, and don't ever try and use the tip to cut into anything.  Loppers are a lot safer though. :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Sorry about the neighbour problem - in that case don't do anything to aggravate matters. It'll be a case of get it cut back as close as you can to the boundary (might be almost back to the main trunks if they're planted close against to the boundary) and put up your fence. If it was me I'd go for slow and steady with the loppers, but you're probably bigger and stronger than me! I'd be a liability with a chainsaw. It's your decision whether it's best to offer back the cuttings or just quietly get rid of them, whichever you think will be less provocative. The green at the top might keep growing, so if it's above the top of the fence you might need to go along it with the hedge cutters now and then to keep it to the boundary line.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    If you haven't used a chainsaw I would strongly recommend getting somebody in who is familiar with them.  If it kicks back and you don't have full protective equipment it can do untold damage to you and everything around you.  Better to pay somebody for a day's work than risk serious injury.
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