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Best tools for cutting back large conifers

Hello all,

 

I have some large conifers (13ft.) that need a good cut back. Can anyone recommend the best tools on the market to do so? 

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    chain saw? imageimage

    Devon.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    off to "naughty corner" with me.image

    On a serious note Greg, are they specimen conifers, or a hedge?

    A photo would be useful.

    Welcome to the Forum .

    Devon.
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236

    I used to have 51 conifers, which like yours were about 13/14ft high and I used to use one of these Ryobi extending hedge trimmers.

    image

    It worked OK if the branches were not to thick and made the job so much easier.

    But after falling off the ladders 3/4 times I decided that the conifers had to go and the Ryobi just sits in the garage gathering dust.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,142

    Must remember to wear my glasses ... thought it said Sheps had fallen off the ladder 314 times imageimage


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236

    I'm alright now, Philippa...but that is only because I no longer have Becher's Brook to contend with image

     

    It may have been 314 times that I fell off the ladder, because I did bang my head a few times and it could be the fact that I can only remember the last 3 / 4 times image

  • Greg10Greg10 Posts: 8

    ok, so I've just been told that they are actually leylandii (amateur or what!).

    Here is a picture...

     

    image

     

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    In that case I'm with Hostafan! image

     

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    They don't cut back well when they've been allowed to get wide. Once you're into brown wood the leaves won't grow back. I live opposite the result of doing this.  



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527

    I get stuck in before they get any more growth on them. Like nut said you cant cut into the wood. Have you thought about the top as well? Ideally with a tall long hedge a little scaffold tower would be ideal. I doubt you be able to reach across the top with a long reach edge trimmer from the floor or even reach the top. 

    I would use an small petrol edge trimmer - long reach edge trimmer - scaffold tower ( or very good step ladder ) and a helmet with mesh visor to protect your eyes from the little bits which are murder to get out sometimes. You cant go wrong with stihl or other named brands like kawasaki / honda. The tools are expensive but you got a lot of edge there looks like it goes round the back as well image

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