Beech hedges take very well to being cut back and yours should now thicken up and be a more manageable height and a better hedge. Don't fall out with your new neighbours over it. They've done you a favour.
What you can do to help it along is to feed it every spring with a generous scattering of pelleted chicken manure which will release its nutrients slowly over the growing season. Keep it trimmed to a height of about 6'/2 metres and keep side growth cut back at least once a year to restrict its width, keep its shape and encourage it to thicken up and become more dense.
It will always be a bit see through in winter but you probably aren't going to be sunbathing then so it doesn't matter and it will look lovely with rain and dew drops shinng on it or when frosted. It should make a very attractive hedge the rest of the year from the new spring leaf buds opening up, becoming mature leaves in summer and then turn colour in autumn.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Most hedges should be 2 metres, which is 6.7 feet or there abouts. As per above they did the hard work for you as it will grow back quickly. if in good sun then it is possible for the new growth to be over 2 metres by autumn.
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Beech hedges take very well to being cut back and yours should now thicken up and be a more manageable height and a better hedge. Don't fall out with your new neighbours over it. They've done you a favour.
What you can do to help it along is to feed it every spring with a generous scattering of pelleted chicken manure which will release its nutrients slowly over the growing season. Keep it trimmed to a height of about 6'/2 metres and keep side growth cut back at least once a year to restrict its width, keep its shape and encourage it to thicken up and become more dense.
It will always be a bit see through in winter but you probably aren't going to be sunbathing then so it doesn't matter and it will look lovely with rain and dew drops shinng on it or when frosted. It should make a very attractive hedge the rest of the year from the new spring leaf buds opening up, becoming mature leaves in summer and then turn colour in autumn.
Lol obelix, did you mean 6.5ft ?
6 feet or 2 metres!
Most hedges should be 2 metres, which is 6.7 feet or there abouts. As per above they did the hard work for you as it will grow back quickly. if in good sun then it is possible for the new growth to be over 2 metres by autumn.
The more we reduce ours the thicker it gets.
feed it with Growmore / BFB each spring and I'm sure it will be okay.