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How do I cut a privet back hard?

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  • Yes if I can reach it! I might have to go in further down where it's thicker - the depth of it is really the issue as there's no way to reach the middle. I'll share a pic of the ugly state its in when I'm finished, but as you recommended Fairygirl I'll probably do it in stages. £600 to completely remove it is very steep isn't it?! I got two different quotes for the same amount so didn't bother getting a third!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I have a feeling some people are trying to recoup losses due to the problems of lockdowns etc. Maybe I'm cynical  ;)
    That isn't really going to be a huge amount to get rid of . Privet packs down quite easily, so if you can use your council green waste collection, it would only be a few bins worth. 
    You'll be surprised how quickly it'll come back too  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I agree with @Fairygirl , that's not as bad as I thought! Definitely worth rejuvenating. Get the softer long growth off with the trimmer, then you should be able to see better what you're dealing with. To reduce the height or width I found it easiest to start at the end of the line, cutting each branch individually at the height/width I wanted (below the final height as mentioned earlier) and changing implements as needed to deal with thicker ones. If I lived near you I'd come round and help and we'd have it done in a day!
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd have that done in an hour. I enjoy a good session with loppers and a hedge trimmer, and I don't take prisoners   :D

    When I had my first flat [ground floor] I had a tiny bit of space below the bay window. Most of it was taken up by a privet hedge of fairly substantial proportions, probably about the same length as yours but with less depth, and about 7 or 8 feet in height.
    I hacked it back to around 2 feet in all directions, much to the horror of some nosy old bloke who lived nearby who had the cheek to give me grief about it. Fast forward about 6 months, and it was a lovely healthy hedge, and more importantly, I had room for a little bit of more pleasant planting right below the window, with enough room to also trim the hedge.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • An hour!! Think I need to get myself to the gym  :D 

    JennyJ ahh thank you so much! Sounds like it's not going to be as hard as I think it will be if you think it'd take two people a day. I'll get my big boy trousers on!

    Yes exactly... I'm sure it will look hideous at first but will be worth it. Just went outside and measured and it's nearly 3 metres in depth  :# thanks for the recommendation of starting at the end of the line and working my way down, I'll do that.
  • Good luck .... Photos of work in progress would be great .... we love a project  :D

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Probably less. I was accounting for outdoor-working days effectively ending at 4pm at this time of year and me not being an early starter :). Plus picking up and bagging or binning the rubbish. Plus tea breaks :D. You'll be fine! And you don't have to do it all in one go if you don't want to.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • I have to admit I am now starting longingly at it and my new hedge trimmers from my position at my desk working from home! Roll on the weekend  :)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think you/'ll find removing the top section [hedge trimmer] will be very quick.
    Once you start removing thicker trunks with loppers, it'll reduce the depth quite noticeably, and you'll be surprised at how rapidly the bulk is substantially decreased  :)
      
    As @JennyJ says - plenty of tea/coffee, and 2 or 3 sessions over a couple of weeks will see that looking quite different  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    And if your creepy neighbour comes out for a nosy, don't let it get to you :).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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