Hedge trimming and reduction
One-off cuts, hard reductions and full removals. Straight lines, and everything cleared away.
Trimming
The regular cut: sides and top taken back to a tidy line. Beech, hornbeam, privet, laurel, yew and the usual mixed garden hedges. Once a year is enough for most; fast growers like privet and laurel are better done twice.
Reducing an overgrown hedge
Hedges that have been left for years can usually be brought back, but it takes more than a trim. Height comes off first, then the sides, often over two seasons so the hedge isn't stripped bare all at once. Conifers are the exception: leylandii won't regrow from brown wood, so once it's cut back past the green it stays brown.
Removal
Taking a hedge out completely, including grinding or digging out the stumps if you want the ground back.
Timing and nesting birds
Hedge cutting is best from late autumn to late winter. Between March and August hedges are full of nests, and it's an offence to damage an active one. I check before starting and won't cut a hedge with a nest in it.
For landlords, agents and schools
I'll arrange a repeat visit at whatever interval suits, so it's done without anyone having to remember to book it. Same arrangement works for letting agents managing several properties and for estate managers with a run of hedges to keep on top of. One invoice, one point of contact, and I'll flag anything else on the site that needs attention while I'm there.
Clearing up
Everything goes through the chipper or into the truck. The path, the drive and the lawn are swept before I leave.
Common questions
How often should my hedge be cut?
Once a year is enough for most garden hedges, usually late summer or autumn. Fast growers like privet and laurel look better cut twice a year.
Can you fix an overgrown leylandii?
Height can come off, and the sides can be tidied, but leylandii will not regrow from brown wood. Once it is cut back past the green it stays brown. I will be straight with you about what it will look like before starting, and sometimes removal and replanting is the better answer.
Can you cut the neighbour's side?
Only with their permission. You are entitled to cut anything overhanging your boundary back to the line, but not to go over it. If both households want the whole hedge done, it is usually cheaper to book it together.
What about nesting birds?
It is an offence to damage an active nest. Between March and August I check the hedge before starting and will not cut one with a nest in it. Late autumn to late winter is the safest window.
I couldn't be happier with the work Mac from Mendip Tree Care carried out. Communication was excellent, he arrived on time, worked efficiently and completed the job to a really high standard. All the branches and waste were removed, leaving the garden spotless. It's hard to find reliable tradespeople these days, but Mac was fantastic. I'd happily recommend Mendip Tree Care to anyone looking for tree surgery, tree removal or hedge cutting, and I'll definitely be using him again in the future.