Rescuing a poorly maintained hedge

Question

We have a hedge that's grown wider rather than taller with most of the growth on the outer edges. I'm worried that cutting it back will make it look a bit sparse. Can it be remodelled or encouraged to grow more densely after cutting back?

Jackie · Answer

I would like to come sout and see what is to be done to be honest pal

Mac · Answer

You can definitely encourage your hedge to grow more densely after cutting it back, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure it fills out nicely rather than looking sparse. Here's how to approach it:

1. Timing of Pruning:
Ideal Time: The best time to prune most hedges is during late winter or early spring, before new growth starts, or in late summer after the hedge has finished its main growing season. This ensures that you won't shock the plant too much and will give it time to regenerate new growth.

Avoid Hard Cuts in Autumn/Winter: If you're cutting back hard in autumn or winter, there’s a risk that the hedge won’t recover well before cold weather sets in.

2. Gradual Pruning (for thicker growth):
Instead of cutting back heavily in one go, you could thin the outer growth gradually over time. This allows the hedge to focus on producing more inner growth, promoting a denser appearance.

Remove only a third of the outer growth in the first season, allowing the hedge to recover and push new shoots before pruning further.

3. Cutting Techniques to Encourage Growth:
Tapered Shape: Aim to prune your hedge so that the base is wider than the top (a slight taper). This will allow light to reach the lower branches, which encourages more even growth from top to bottom.

Encourage Lateral Growth: By cutting back into the outer edges where the hedge has grown too wide, you stimulate dormant buds inside the hedge to produce new lateral shoots. This helps it grow denser from the inside out.

4. Fertilizing and Watering:
After pruning, fertilize the hedge in spring to encourage new growth. A balanced fertilizer, or one specifically designed for hedges, will support recovery and thicker growth.

Ensure regular watering during dry periods, especially after pruning, as the plant will need moisture to regenerate.

5. Patience and Consistency:
Keep in mind that it may take one or two growing seasons to see the full effect of the new growth filling in after cutting back. Consistent trimming and encouraging growth from the inner branches will help the hedge look fuller over time.

6. Rejuvenation Pruning (if needed):
If the hedge is very overgrown and sparse in the middle, you can perform a hard rejuvenation prune, cutting back into the thicker wood. While it may look bare for a while, many hedge species will regrow densely after a season or two.

Nigel · Answer

The hedge has a natural direction of growth...
You can't force it to grow up instead of sideways.
Why not just tidy it up... make it look neat and trimmed... simple.

Ashley · Answer

it depends on what type of hedge it is. Some can be cut right back and some will leave it looking sparse.

Oliver · Answer

This depends upon the species of the hedge. Coniferous (evergreen) trees/hedging will not tolerate harsh pruning as they lack the cells required to regenerate and produce new growth. Deciduous hedging such as Laurel, Privet, Hawthorn etc can be pruned quite heavily and will regenerate. Please note all works should be conducted outside of bird nesting season. Heavy pruning of deciduous hedging should take place close to the end of September. New growth should appear the following year.

David · Answer

Hi... my opinion is that if you cut back a little, it will probably become less common, but after a while and because of the cutting back, the new shoot will be more, so you will be much denser than before!

Mike · Answer

It depends on what type of hedge it is, some shrubs can handle a good cut back which then allows for new growth from the centre.

Saley · Answer

What type of hedge is it because there are some that you can and some that can’t

Bodean · Answer

After a good cut it will go back perfectly in the spring and you can reshape it

John · Answer

Depends on what the hedge is. 
Conifer needs small amount of green left or will just turn brown and not grow back.
Privet hedge can be cut back and will grow back within 3 months

Rescuing a poorly maintained hedge

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