VERY OLD HOLLY HEDGE
Christmas Holly
Posts: 2
Hello,
A friend has recently purchased an old orchard. One one side of the property is a very old ( at least 30 years) holly hedge. The top of the hedge is about 10/12 feet high and fairly thick yet the lower 5 feet consists of just leafless branches. The hedge has been struggling for light . The hedge now is open to good light . There is obviously a very established root system.
Can you please advise what is the best method to revert this hedge to e.g. a 5/6 feet high normal hedge. Should it be cut to ground level or say maybe to three feet approx ? If at ground level how long would it take to produce the required height , that is assuming heavy ground level pruning would not kill the holly altogether ? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Ken
Posts
I've cut holly right back to base in the past and it grew back very quickly, much quicker than newly planted holly.
In the sticks near Peterborough
It will never thicken at the bottom without being cut back Edd,
In the sticks near Peterborough
I'd go with the prunes Verdun
I think wherever you cut it to, it will grow from there and below, nothing
In the sticks near Peterborough
My Christmas dinner won't result in a need for prunes Verdun
In the sticks near Peterborough
For many years the hedge had other trees , sheds and rubbish adjacent to it... Therefore the holly went in search for the light....... this all happened over at least 30 years...... the top of of the hedge looks good...... berries also........ Yet all so overgrown and looks very scruffy................. The temptation is to cut back to ground level.... your further thoughts greatly requested.
If cutting back almost to ground level , when would be the best time to do this , Orchard is at 500 ft in NE Wales
Regards and Merry Christmas
Ken