Cutting Back Privet How And When To Prune Privet Hedges

Upright plants Maintenance trimming of young privet hedges is carried out between early spring and late summer. By trimming back your privet hedge, six to eight inches from the ground when new growth starts will encourage branching at the base of the plant.

When should I cut back my privet hedge?
Can you cut privet right back?
When should you not cut hedges?
How do you reduce the height of a privet hedge?
What is the best fertilizer for privet hedge?
How do you prune overgrown privet?
What causes privet hedges to die?
Can my Neighbour cut the top of my hedge?

When should I cut back my privet hedge?

If you have Privet you should trim your hedge at least twice a year, from May to August. The more you cut it, the more it forms a dense, even hedge and the easier it is to keep it to the same size. If necessary, prune it hard in April to reduce the size of the hedge.

Can you cut privet right back?

Privet is tough as old boots and can definitely tolerate hard pruning. Ideally cut back one side of the hedge one year, then the other side one or two years later to retain the screening effect and give the plant the best chance of recovery.

When should you not cut hedges?

We recommend avoiding hedge cutting during the main breeding season for nesting birds, which usually runs throughout March to August each year. This can be weather dependent and some birds may nest outside this period, so it is important to always check carefully for active nests prior to cutting.

How do you reduce the height of a privet hedge?

The first step in privet hedge pruning is to trim out crossing branches. You'll also want to keep cutting back privet to remove damaged or dead branches. Remove them at their base with loppers. Once you finish this, remove several large branches from the inside of each shrub to open up the center of the hedge.

What is the best fertilizer for privet hedge?

As broadleaf hedge plants, privets use lots of nitrogen, which keeps their leaves dense and green. One type of fertilizer best suited to meet their need is a granular, 15-5-10 formula, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension website.

How do you prune overgrown privet?

An overgrown privet hedge can be rejuvenated by cutting it back severely to about 6 inches from the soil line. This should only be done while the hedge is dormant in winter and should be completed before new growth begins again in spring.

What causes privet hedges to die?

Based on the symptoms, the reason for your privet hedge to be dying is: A common privet killer – Honey Fungus (Armillaria) – a fungal disease that spreads through the soil. Very destructive in nature, it feeds on the roots of the hedge and leaves them decaying afterwards.

Can my Neighbour cut the top of my hedge?

If you own the tree or hedge

Your neighbour can cut any branches that are overhanging into their garden as long as they only remove the bits on their side of the boundary. If they want you to cut your tree or hedge just because they don't like the way it looks, it's up to you whether you do the work.