Hedge Care

Quick Answer Prune most conifers between April and August while they’re actively growing, and only ever cut fresh green growth, never back into old brown wood, since it won’t regenerate. Yew and young Thuja are the main exceptions that can tolerate a hard prune. Always check for nesting birds first, use sharp, sanitised tools, and […]

Quick Answer The Ryobi OHT1855R ONE+ is a 2.7kg cordless hedge trimmer that cuts branches up to 22mm, runs for around 30 minutes on a 2.0Ah battery, and uses the same ONE+ battery as over 100 other Ryobi tools. It is heavier and pricier than entry-level rivals, but the rotating handle and clean cut make […]

Quick Answer Box hedges die or deteriorate mainly from two causes: box blight, a fungal disease causing brown leaves, black stem streaks, and bare patches in damp conditions; or box tree moth caterpillar, a pest that strips foliage and leaves distinctive white webbing. Both can kill established plants if left untreated. Correct diagnosis is essential […]

Quick Answer Cut hedges with sharp, clean tools working from the bottom upwards in a sweeping motion, keeping the sides slightly narrower at the top so light reaches the base. Most hedges need trimming twice a year, in spring and late summer, and UK law protects nesting birds, so always check the hedge for nests […]

Quick Answer The best hedges for windy and exposed UK sites are tough, dense growers that filter wind rather than block it. Hawthorn, blackthorn and field maple make unbeatable native windbreak hedges, hornbeam and beech are the strongest formal deciduous options, yew is the classic formal evergreen, and Escallonia, Griselinia, Elaeagnus and Portuguese laurel handle […]

Quick Answer The best cordless hedge trimmer for most UK gardens is the Ryobi OHT1855R ONE+ for everyday domestic use, the Ryobi OHT1850X for hard-to-reach hedges and taller boundaries, and the STIHL HSA 56 if you want premium build quality and are prepared to pay for it. I have used Ryobi ONE+ tools extensively in […]

RHS-qualified designer Lee Burkhill’s complete guide to pruning box hedges in the UK. When to prune, the batter profile, box blight prevention, renovation pruning, topiary and the best box alternatives.

Quick Answer Most conifers cannot regenerate from old brown wood, which means once they outgrow their space, your options are limited to careful staged reduction, acceptance and maintenance, or removal. Unlike deciduous hedges and shrubs, conifers cannot be cut back to bare wood and expected to recover. Understanding this biological reality before deciding how to […]

Quick Answer The fastest growing hedges in the UK include hawthorn, blackthorn, privet, cherry laurel and photinia, all growing 40 to 60cm per year. For the best long-term results however, a mixed native hedge of hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, field maple and dog rose will grow just as fast, requires far less maintenance, supports far more […]

Why Is My Laurel Hedge Dying? Complete UK Diagnosis GuideWhy Is My Laurel Hedge Dying? Complete UK Diagnosis Guide Quick Answer A dying laurel hedge is most commonly caused by waterlogged or compacted soil, drought stress, shot hole disease, frost damage or incorrect pruning technique. In most cases the hedge can be rescued by improving […]