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eleagnus x ebbingei cut back to boundary.
mark clayton
Posts: 9
in Talkback
I have cut back neighbours hedge to the boundary line.He is claiming that it will cost £400 to help it thicken out .Some of the branch ends are now 25mm thick .Hedge is only about 6 ft long.will hedge regrow and thicken out on its own or is this work required? Any opinions greatly received thanks
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How has the neighbour arrived at that figure Mark, and how does he plan to thicken it?
To be honest, 6 feet is only two of these shrubs once they're reasonably mature, so it's hardly even a hedge!
And yes, Eleagnus regrow. Ideally, you wouldn't have done it at this time of year, and it might take a while, but those chopped bits will eventually resprout. If not, replacing them wouldn't cost an awful lot.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
As far as I'm aware you are perfectly entitled to cut your neighbour's hedge back to the boundary line, just as you could legally trim branches off his trees if they overhung your garden. (I think, strictly speaking, the bits you cut off belong to your neighbour, so you could chuck them back on to his garden if you really want to...) He should have planted his hedge a couple of feet further in to his garden.
And I would expect an Eleagnus hedge to re-grow on its own - the cutting back you've done should make it thicken up. It'll re-grow from those thick branch ends too. The ideal time to chop it back would have been April, but they're fairly tough.
As Liri says, the cutting back should thicken it up. You are allowed to cut what is overhanging your garden, but what you cut off belongs to your neighbour.
Many thanks for your replies ,The hedge is actually bordering a shared drive so I had to cut it back to stop it scratching my car. Branches were all left. The quotes were given by two unqualified garden firms and to be honest any one can create a quote for any amount.hedge is just part of an on going vendetta .He called the police when i cut hedge but they werent interested now he is trying the county court.
Who'd have neighbours, eh?
As long as you're sure of the boundaries to your garden you have nothing to fear.
Mark - did you have any discussion with the neighbour about cutting it back? Perhaps that could have helped. However, these things happen.
As Liri says, the act of pruning encourages new growth which will thicken up the shrubs/hedge anyway. BLizzie is also correct about anything overhanging your boundary - you are entitled to cut back to that.
If necessary, you may have to contact a lawyer, but you'll have this info to help back you up.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I didn't discuss the hedge but it had been left to grow wild for two years to cause an obstruction for us .The police have told us that they think he is wasting his money. But he is trying to drive us out.
Mark - you're within your rights to cut it back to your boundary, and, as Liri says, as long as you have the correct info regarding that boundary, you're in the clear.
I'd contact a lawyer for advice though. For your own peace of mind, if nothing else.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Here is the quote from so called gardeners.Initial cut backof the relevent bushes to remove damaged parts and promote regrowth £210. Spring2016 cut back after winter to promote new growth and allow light to lower branches £100 Autumn 2016 further trim before winter to encourage shaping and thickening of bushes £100. Any comment s most welcome.
I don't think my comment's printable here Mark!
If the neighbour expects you to stump up, I think he's p***ing in the wind. Take that info to the lawyer as well !
God loves a trier
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...