Cedar hedge much too tall

6 years ago

Hi again all,

i have another problem in the back of my home. I have large cedar hedge in the back and the right side of my property.

over the last about 10-12 years we have left them go without cutting due to budget. When we used to get it cut back many years ago we had to pay over 1000. just for our sides and the neighbors on either side did not want to pay for there sides so the top was never even.

well this has left us now with about a 18 foot hedge which is in bad shape and needs scaffolding and expensive work.

my question is , can this be cut down to a 8 foot manageable size . I am in zone 4 and know the tops will look terrible for a time but I could live with that If I knew that the rest of the hedge will be healthier.

here are two photos. Any help appreciated.

Right side of house below.

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Comments (3)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
"can this be cut down to a 8 foot manageable size "

Not at this point, no. You would effectively be removing almost 2/3 of the hedge, which is far too much. And it will not make the hedge 'healthier'....that severe a cutting back could even kill it.

It is just the wrong plant for this application if you do not keep up with an annual shearing.
Lyban zone 4 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Embothrium
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Maybe just shear the sides on your side and let it continue to grow taller. If you decide to do so be sure to taper back so that the top is narrower than the bottom. Otherwise you will start to get thinning in the lower part of the hedge. And as with the topping of a Thuja hedge you cannot cut the sides of one back to where you are looking at bare or nearly bare wood and expect to get good re-sprouting and filling back in afterward. This is true of most conifer hedges except for yew, which can grow back from cuts anywhere above the root crown.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
they dont 'need' anything ...

soooo.. i ask.. why do you NEED to do anything about them ..

i would presume you planted them to hide something behind .. but why do you want to see it now ...

ken

ps: if i were to spend a THOUSAND dollars on them.. it would be to get rid of them .. and never have to pay it again ..