Overgrown Hedge Renovation

The 40-metre run of Leyland cypress had been left unmanaged for over a decade and had reached approximately 8 metres in height. It was blocking light to both the client's south-facing garden and the neighbour's property, and had become a source of dispute between the households. The client needed the hedge reduced to a manageable height without killing the trees or losing all privacy screening, and wanted to maintain a good relationship with their neighbour.

We proposed a two-phase approach over 12 months to give the hedge the best chance of recovery. In phase one, we reduced the height from 8 metres to 5 metres and trimmed the sides back by a metre on each face. Six months later, in phase two, we brought it down to the target height of 3 metres and shaped the profile into a slight taper — wider at the base than the top — to ensure sunlight reaches the lower foliage and keeps it green.

Both phases were completed successfully with minimal browning. The hedge has maintained dense green coverage and the tapered profile means it stays healthier with less frequent maintenance. Both the client and their neighbour are happy with the result. We now visit twice a year to maintain the shape, keeping it at 3 metres with a single annual trim in late summer.