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Is it too cold to do hedge cutting?
I live in Bournemouth and it is pretty warm down here. Haven't noticed many frosts. Is it still ok to do some hedge cutting through the winter- I heard hedges and are tough. Is it the cutting of branches which then have the frost get in and damage them which is the problem? How long have you got after cutting back branches before them scab over and heal themselves?
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What hedging plants have you got jon?
In the sticks near Peterborough
I've just done my hawthorn/hazel/wayfaring tree/spindle/buckthorn and all the rest hedge Verdun. But perhaps that's not a hedge in the full sense of the word. Spring gets me into birds nesting season.
I did some laurel as well, with a bit of luck that might kill it. I've gone off laurel
In the sticks near Peterborough
November, December and January are the months to cut most hedges - any later and the birds will be nesting.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
The council clearly dont think so. They cut back the Pyracantha hedge that surrounds my garden this morning even the temperature dipped to almost freezing last night.
Definately OK to cut hedges , they farmers round here , Lincolnshire , are busy cutting them and I am sure you want be as brutal as they are
I have done mine , still need to trim a hawthorn tree
The only thing that will stop the councils cutting hedges at the wrong time is austerity cuts. The verges have been cut less this year. Result!
It's too cold to do anything here this morning!
Local farmer flail cut the hedges in August this year, hit them really hard too. I find it staggeringly negligent in what should be more enlightened times.
I have failed to find out who to contact to ask that those that issue the contracts have more regard to wildlife.
As an example, I haven't had a reply to a letter I wrote in March 2012 to the chairman of the Community Council asking for a street light of little use to be extinguished outside our house. Apparently the community council hasn't made a decision yet. The other explanation is that they are extremely rude in not answering letters.
Yes I agree Welshonion, I think they took advantage of an early harvest and just went for getting the hedging done whilst the ground was dry before winter.
Sadly the attitude from my local farmer is that hedges are nothing more than harbourers of disease and pests and should be treated accordingly. Sad really as they provide about the only haven for wildlife these days to be found on a arable farm. The previous tenant farmer was much more clued up and wildlife orientated.
It can be hugely frustrating contacting any local council. I've found one has to slip in through the backdoor really to get anywhere with it. I have in the past done things like voluntary ecological surveys and reports for my local town council. These get passed around at committee meetings, I can then get some suggestions and recommendations put across. I also find out who it is best to talk to regarding environmental issues.