This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Stimulating Privet Hedge growth
Kieran Wood
Posts: 67
Hi all
I have recently removed a large tree from the corner of the front garden. There is a perimeter hedge that surround the tree. On the neighbours side and on the top the growth is completely green but where the tree has been it's bare but with only some stems with leaves.
Does anybody have any tips to stimulate growth (using liquid seaweed spray) or should I just wait and see what happens.
Kind regards
0
Posts
I'd give it a good haircut, it will stimulate new growth
In the sticks near Peterborough
Yes, cut it back - growth follows the knife = old gardening saying
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Yep, cut it back as much as you dare, the more the better, otherwise you'll be waiting years for it to green up. If your neighbour won't allow that you'll just have to do what you can on your side, you can try cutting nicks out of the trunk or remove a semi circle of bark on your side. That should spur it into bud low down below the cut.
I never thought about it I don't think so. There's all kinds of little professional tricks you can do. Notching is the most brutal but very effective. It is half way to laying the hedge.
About 15 months ago, some new people moved in around the corner. There was a very large straggly privet. The new people cut it back to about 3' high and quite thin in depth. It is now magnificent. Privets love hard haircuts, but they may also like a bit of general plant food and WATER; I always feel that hedges, by their very shape, deprive themselves of water.
Yes, I was saying that about a conifer I have. I had to water my daffs and foxgloves on Sunday as they were wilting. The conifers roots go out a long way though. The neighbours must have cursed the lady that used to live here planting them all around the edge of the garden.
One one side of my garden there was no fence just the privet hedge which wasn't that great considering the conifers that were there. I was loathed to cut them back because I didn't want to lose the privacy but the one that had grown into a tree got a good chop. That ones is now magnificent while the others are still recovering. I think had I given them all the chop them I'd have a much better hedge now. You live and learn though.
Jim, are you saying that the conifers survived being ruthlessly chopped back?
???? Are you talking to me?
Yes Jim
Oh, then no, I was talking about a privet hedge and conifers I cut down revealing a tatty privet.