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Notching a conifer branch

sarahgrigg1972AS9BMxqSsarahgrigg1972AS9BMxqS Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Good morning
ive just moved into a rental property surrounded by a conifer hedge which continues in an arch over the gate. However we have a problem with a thick branch preventing the gate from opening fully (the gate is original to the 1870s house with no way of removing without cutting). This is restricting access.
can I put a notch in the branch where the gate hits it so that it can open fully? This particular branch appears to support the whole arch which I can’t kill or damage. Your help is greatly appreciated thanks

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi @sarahgrigg1972AS9BMxqS -if it's the only option [ie you can't remove the hedge or the gate] then you could try it.
    Conifers can often be pretty tough in that respect, but it would depend on two things - have you got permission from your landlord to do it, and how big a notch? 
     
    It looks as if it's had a fair bit of wear and tear anyway, so it may not affect it too much, but those conifers won't re grow if cut back into old wood. It looks as if it's not been kept trimmed well enough in previous years, and that's where these problems unfortunately arise. They have to be done carefully right from the start.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • sarahgrigg1972AS9BMxqSsarahgrigg1972AS9BMxqS Posts: 2
    The circumference of the branch is approx 49cm and to make the gate flush it would probably need 6-8cm deep? Does that help? TBH even half that would help to get a couple of extra cams wider opening. 
    I would always check with the LL but wanted to check the possibility first. 😊
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's really hard to know. It's not something I've ever done. Sorry - that's not much help! It might be a bridge too far for it. 
    I wonder if the landlord would consider taking that whole arch section out, and replacing it with something more suitable for long term use? Even a simple timber or metal arch, positioned a little further away from the gate posts, which could have a climber on it instead. I can see a bit of ivy in the last pic, and that would easily climb over, and can be kept trimmed along with the rest of 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...
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Maybe just get the landlord to switch the side of the hinge so the gate swings outward instead of in?  Or set it further into the arch so you walk under the arch and it opens up into the yard?  That would be better than risking death or disease into the tree arch.  
    Utah, USA.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think it's half way through the arch @Blue Onion, but perhaps it could be moved to either the inside or the outside face of the hedging, so that it doesn't catch any of it at all. 
    Don't know why I didn't think of that to start with   ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think the suggestions made by @Blue Onion are really good. 

    I certainly wouldn’t want to cut into a trunk or branch to the degree you describe … it’ll really weaken the branch and risk it snapping in strong winds, under heavy snowfall or pressure from some other source. 

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





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