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Hedge Pruning Advice

Graham121Graham121 Posts: 2
in Plants

Dear All

I am in need of advice and guidance......

I planted a hedge approx 12 months ago using bare rooted plants consisting of field maple and blackthorn. I am hoping to create a 5ft to 6ft tall hedge within 5 years.

Someone has suggested that I need to prune hard close to the ground, to encourage thicker bushier growth and that I do it now.

Can anyone tell me if this is correct please? 

I am worried about damaging my hedge by doing that, but they have had 12 months to put out good root systems. The other issue I have is about loosing a lot of height. I reckon if I do this, then I cut to 500mm from the ground rather than to the ground??

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I certain someone here will have been in the same predicament.

Many thanks

Graham

This is a photo taken November 2016.

image

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    If they were mine I'd cut back to about half the height of the fence. and just back a bud or two if there's enough sideways growth to encourage bushiness



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923

    I agree, halfway up your fence give them a chop, they'll stick a load of new growth out this year, it might even get to the top of the fence. now is the time to cut it so it gets off to a good start

  • Graham121Graham121 Posts: 2

    Thank you both for your replies - i didnt get a chance to do this at the weekend so one day after work this week, I will get the choppers out :)

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