your hedge needs to be in full sun in order to be thick and full. If it is shaded by maples or any tree it won't be as thick.

And notice in Sam's photo that the base of the hedge is wider than the top.

couple of years is not a long time.. in tree and shrub years ..

it sounds like parts are struggling.. if not fo shade.. due to water competition from the maples... perhaps delaying full establishment ...

see pic below for pix of silver maple roots ... its no wonder they are super competitors ...

you really need to give us a pic.. if you want us to go beyond more than speculation ...

sams pic.. the wider bottom.. insures that the top is not shading out the bottom, if it need be actually said ...

ken

The fact that Zooba's hedge is wider at the base than at the top is an indication that he or she knows what he or she is doing. Way too often, I see the reverse. Where did the idea come from that one should cut inward at the base. I'm convinced it's all just monkey see-monkey do. This is perfectly done here.

I do see what might be a bit of wild morning glory or field bindweed sticking out the end. No big deal, and certainly not why portions are suffering, but just thought I'd mention.

I think it likely to be bits of shaded area, or straight-up competition with the neighboring trees. If nothing else, see to it that no part of the hedge is being forced to grow in too-dry soil due to any possible competition with maple tree roots. Maples are indeed fierce competitors for moisture and soil nutrients. Not absolutely saying this is the cause, but it does suggest something to look at. Then too, the obvious light factor-if any part is shaded, it's going to grow differently. good luck-you've got a really decent hedge going there.

+oM

one of the shortcomings of houzz's new format is that it isn't always clear where one post ends and the next one begins.

Ah... so I see! Sam's doing it right. Zooba...I have no idea!

+oM

Very nice hedge, sam_md!

Thanks for the responses. The picture above is not my hedge (unfortunately)... That's a very nice hedge, well done! It's still early, but I can definitely see that portions of the hedge are struggling and I agree that the Maples are most likely to blame. Is there anything that I can do to compensate for the Maples? Additional water, fertilizer, etc...? If I were to continue to keep the hedge low, will the middle eventually fill in ? Thanks everyone.