Priven pruning -- help :)

17 years ago

Hello,

Hoping someone can offer some advice for my situation. Having recently inherited two rather large privets when purchasing a new property, I'm looking for some pruning help.

The privets have been invading the sidewalk in front of them for some time now and I'd like to do a relatively drastic prune back of at least a foot or so from the front.

Here are a couple pictures of how the privets look today:

As you can see, the privets are starting to invade the sidewalk and I've heard numerous grumbles from passersby at how much these hedges were a "pain".

A few questions, if I may:

1) When is the best time of year for me to cut these hedges back? I'm told to do it in the fall or early spring, but these suckers grow so fast I'm wondering whether it matters at all when I cut them back?

2) I've tried using loppers to cut back the branches but found this to be extremely tiring. I'm considering renting a small chainsaw to help cut these back more efficiently. Is this a good way to cut these back? The branches behind those leaves are very thick.

3) I'm told these privets specifically are of the "Ligustrum Undulatum" family -- based on the pictures, can someone confirm?

Many thanks for any help you're able to offer!

Regards,

Dan

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Comments (4)

duluthinbloomz4
17 years ago
Does appear to be Ligustrum Undulatum - "Box Leaf" privet. They can take as hard a prune or shear as you want to give them, but the problem as I see it is that they were originally planted too close to the walk. To get them off the walk, you'll have to shear way in which will almost certainly give the outside bare stems to look at for quite a while.

I've found a pruning saw very handy when pruners and loppers just don't work. Even the least inexpensive one from Menard's does a good job.

They do make a nice hedge and you're in for a constant battle with this one. Any possibility of moving them back a couple of feet or ripping them out altogether?
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
17 years ago
proper shearing and pruning is a 1 to 3 times per year labor intensive job ... if you think one pruning is too much.. think about doing it again before fall .. and 3 times next year ...

in my world... i would suggest you think long and hard about getting rid of them..

work hard once ... and be done with them ....

frankly .. the prior owner moved .. probably because of this nightmare .... do NOT put up with the planters mistake of planting a fairly aggressive plant.. too close to the sidewalk

there is an enormous gap between what CAN be done.. and what SHOULD be done ...

ken
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mydrh
Original Author
17 years ago
Many thanks for the responses, guys.

These privets have been at this property as I understand it now, for 50+ years (according to locals). There are two rows of them planted and yes, clearly too close to the walk.

To be honest, pruning them with pruning sheers isn't too bad of a job, and I find it somewhat soothing on a nice day. I'm likely going to have the front row cut back a good foot and a half, following which I'm hoping I can continue pruning and maintain the new cut back size.

On the other hand, if I was to get rid of them, is there another species that you would suggest in their place?

Thanks again for your suggestions.
Dan
duluthinbloomz4
17 years ago
In and of itself, there's nothing wrong with privet. As with any shrub or hedging material, etc. the trick is in appropriate planting. If the original planter - 50 years ago - had set them back another 24-36", you wouldn't be beating the encroachment back so badly now.

It would be the same with anything else you might consider putting in; stuff grows so you have to account for space in advance.