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. In time, you’ll want to trim and shape the outside of the privet hedge. Privet Hedge Problems. A gnat infestation is a common occurrence for many homeowners. But if you plant a hedge, you’ll find that privet hedge pruning is a must. The shrubs resprout after being cut back hard. The hedge is serving a purpose in that it is planted in areas at the top of sloping land and we believe it serves to prevent the erosion of the slope, and it also is along boundaries of her property. Year 1. In this how-to video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook breathes new life into an old, overgrown hedge. 3 Where one stem branches into two, cut just above the Y-shaped split. Step 5: In the case of severely overgrown hedges follow the steps above and additionally remove the top third of the plant to around 20 cm beneath the final desired height for the hedge. To rejuvenate a privet hedge, cut the entire hedge back to within 12 inches (30 cm.) You’ll also want to keep cutting back privet to remove damaged or dead branches. The hedge should be narrower at the top than the base on each side in order to allow light to touch the entire hedge face. The bird nesting season is usually considered to run from March to August. 1 Use loppers to remove one-third of the older stems, so sunlight can penetrate the hedge's interior. Keep reading to learn how to get rid of gnats and how to prevent future infestations. This simply means that pruning the buds at the tip of each branch with a pair of pruning shears encourages growth. Once you finish this, remove several large branches from the inside of each shrub to open up the center of the hedge. Privet should be trimmed at least twice a year, from May to August. Cut to at least 15cm (6in) less than the desired width, or almost to the main stems if necessary. Shear the top of the privet along the string line, then shear the face of the hedge down to the bottom in a diagonal downward slope. Have never really maintained a privet before either and my understanding is that they are hard as old boots but I don't want to overdo it. 7 Next spring, apply a shrub fertilizer. Privet is a very durable plant & you should have no problems by cutting it back by a foot even though we are at the end of August. The first step in privet hedge pruning is to trim out crossing branches. Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) and other invasive privets in the genus Ligustrum are a serious problem for many homeowners, farmers, foresters, and land managers in Alabama.Privet control often seems insurmountable because of its aggressive growth, prolific root and stump sprouting, copious seed production, and widespread seed dispersal by birds and other animals. Photo by Nancy Andrews So how to prune a privet hedge? Sign up for our newsletter. When to prune privet by trimming the outside of the hedge? Remember to cut the hedge to a 'batter' (sloping sides), so it tapers from the bottom to a thinner top, allowing light to … There is no problems about cutting Privet so far back into hard wood & I would recommend that you do so. Dig a trench the length of your string line. That is, removing damaged branches or opening the interior of the shrub should be done before spring growth begins. Hard pruning is best done at the end of winter so you’re not looking at an unsightly hedge for too long, or disturbing nesting birds. The areas with hedge, if … Privet hedges are a popular and attractive way of delineating a property line. 8 Next summer, repeat pruning by removing one-third of the large stems.See products and services from this episode. Maintained properly, a privet hedge is an attractive, nearly evergreen shrub. Alternatives to Privet hedging. In a position of dappled shade, loosen garden soil with a hand fork. Pruning privet hedges requires some effort, but it is worth the time and energy. Balcony. Shear or prune the outer branch tips to shape and reduce the size of the plant. 4 Continue cutting older stems, but leave new growth. Simply cut healthy stems about 10cm long from the parent plant on a warm autumn day. It was ... Where already established and plants are small, mowing will delay growth and reduce seed production, but due to the plant’s perennial root system, resprouting will occur. With flowering shrubs and vigorous non-flowering ones (hawthorn and privet) hedge pruning should begin as soon as the hedge has been planted. To maintain straight lines while trimming a hedge, you will need erect guide lines as a reference point. Nearly all hedges can be severely reduced in height and width but with most conifers there is limited scope for reducing the width as old wood will not produce any new growth. This shape ensures that the lower branches along the sides of the shrubs aren't shaded by the upper branches—so they receive enough sunlight to grow and fill in the body of the hedge. You first want to determine how high you want your hedge. Pruning the Terminal Buds. Then get several stakes of that height and plant them in the ground toward the center of the hedge. I'm troubled by this as about a foot into the hedge (in some places) is the main stem. Use bypass pruners for this, cutting back each branch to a side branch. The flowers and berries attract wildlife. 5 Use hand pruners to thin stems. Also strap a long scaffold board horizontaly to the end of the ladder to spread the weight, this will prevent you diving through the middle of the hedge. To plant a new privet hedge, create a trench two feet wide and two feet deep, space individual shrubs about 12 inches apart, and bring soil up to the branching trunk. Privet includes Amur, Golden and Cheyenne These shrubs are often used in mass plantings or as a hedge. Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by redfifi1717, May 7, 2007. redfifi1717 Gardener. In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook explains how to prune a privet hedge. 4 … The very name seems to say "privacy," as if a line of these bushes could form the ideal screen for those seeking a more private setting. The benefits of growing a Privet hedge. Problems. The work is pleasant enough, especially on a warm, breezy day, although it can become monotonous after a few hours, 4 to 8 hours, depending on the length and height of the hedge, See This 19th-Century Schoolhouse Get Repurposed into a Charming Home. Privet is tough as old boots and can definitely tolerate hard pruning. Tie a string between the stakes. You’ll want to undertake these pruning steps in late winter. It will grow again before winter starts & I doubt the new growth will be killed by winter frosts. 1 Use loppers to remove one-third of the older stems, so sunlight can penetrate the hedge's interior. 2 Find long stems that grow out of hedge, and snip them close to the ground. Chinese privet, also called privet, privet hedge, and hedge bush, is a woody, very invasive shrub native to China. Even … Remove the lower leaves from the cuttings. is an ideal shrub for hedges and decorative topiary because it grows aggressively whether planted in sun or partial shade. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. All rights reserved. It is considered invasive in many parts of the United States, particularly in the Southeast. When the hedge has stems too wide for a hedge cutter we use Pellenc battery powered chainsaws and powered pruners which are extremely efficient and quiet. Cut back the width on one side of the hedge only. Should I cut the sides back or lower the hedge first. How to grow a privet hedge – taking privet cuttings. Am not sure either where to cut back first. Answers. Hedges that are suitable for topping and splitting include deciduous and broad-leaved evergreens, such as hawthorn, beech, holly, olearia, lonicera, laurel, privet, escallonia and griselinia. If you are wondering when to prune privet hedges or how to prune a privet hedge, read on. 3 Where one stem branches into two, cut just above the Y-shaped split. To reduce the width prune back one side at a time allowing that side to recover before pruning back the other side of the hedge.In both the cases of yew and privet both can be cut back to the original central stems and will produce new growth from dormant buds in the stem to form a new hedge on that side.Its important once the hedge is cut back to water it well through the spring and summer months … A final herbicide method available for privet control is a basal bark treatment. 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. Copyright © 2020 This Old House Ventures, LLC. My mother has rows of privet hedge that are quite old. 6 Place clippings in trash bags. If more than one third needs to be remove do so over two growing seasons.Step 6: If entire plants of the hedge have died back remove them and replace with new strong plants. Privet works well for tall privacy screens. Privet is tough and easy to propagate. For these plants, pruning should be done in the early spring, before they leaf out. If you are wondering when to prune privet hedges or how to prune a privet hedge, read on. Privet hedge pruning involves cutting back privet shrubs. We’ll provide tips on cutting back privet. If your privet hedge is vigorously overgrown, sometimes the best option is to start over from scratch! 2 Find long stems that grow out of hedge, and snip them close to the ground. Reduce the height of the plants by about one third. Privet (Ligustrum spp.) The depth of the trench will depend on the size of the … In order to keep these hedges looking neat and attractive, you’ll definitely need to start privet hedge pruning.