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Laurel hedge too wide
grambuch
Posts: 2
Hi,
The laurel hedge down one side of my garden has grown too wide and is in danger of annoying my neighbour. I had its height reduced professionally to 2 metres last year, but width-wise (about 1.5 metres) it is starting to encroach on her property.
Apart from trimming it back, is there a feasible more permanent solution? Is it possible to uproot a length-wise section of the hedge?
Thanks.
0
Posts
Alaurel hedge is unlikely to have been planted as a staggered double row as beech hedges sometimes are, so no, I don't think it will be possible to uproot a lengthwise portion of the hedge without destroying it.
What a laurel hedge needs is regular trimming, at least yearly - height and width.
You can cut hard back into laurel and it will regenerate, so I suggest you have her side of the hedge cut right back to the main trunks this winter, and then seek her agreement to allow you to trim it properly every summer after the birds have finished nesting - late July onwards should be fine.
That should keep it back from her garden on her side. You should also trim your side at the same time but not as hard back - that way you'll still have a thick hedge to maintain privacy for you both.
A well kept laurel hedge is a lovely thing, and so much nicer than a fence - and at least you don't need to paint it
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'm not sure what permanent solution you might be hoping for? A very fine very strong net perhaps!?!
Is the width being caused by suckers that have come up or just too much growth on that side? If it's suckers then remove them as close to the ground as you can (and remove any regrowth that appears afterwards). If it isn't suckers then cut all branches on their side of the trunk right back to the main trunk and it'll bush up like a mid-eighties perm before you can say REO speedwagon!
Thanks for your advice.
I have the same problem and want to reduce the width of my laurel hedge by about half. The side nearest the pavement is fine - that is only about a foot away from the main trunk, but the side facing the front garden is around 2 1/2 or 3 foot away from the trunk. I've spotted looking thru' the hedge that the former owners who put it in did stagger it.
Would be nice to know if grambuch did take the laurel back to the main trunk and if it then regrew like suggested it would. My laurel hedge is about 8 feet tall and 12 foot long. I'd be concerned with cutting it hardback and it then not re-growing up even dying on me as it provides perfect privacy from the road.