"David P" wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...

You should do it in January or February when it is completely dormant and
you will need a good saw for the very thick bits and a heavy bladed
slasher for the more managable pieces. Cut diagonally downward about
2/3rds of the way through and then bend down as close to the ground as
possible [the brach, not you g]. as you move along the others will lay
on top and give added height. You will find it necessary to knock posts
in at intervals along the lenght to be laid to keep the line of the
hedge.

There are so many different styles of hedging that this may not always be
acceptable but there is a way of avoiding knocking in the posts. When
selecting your pleachers (the stem that is to be laid), choose a couple of
stems (one each side of the hedge) to act as pegs and cut them at about 1
metre high. Subsequent pleachers are then steered between these pegs. Much
easier than using posts but, as I say, will not work with every style of
hedge.

You will also need some very heavy leather gauntlets. Ideally an old
kettle filled with water should also accompany you along with a box of
matches. You then collect the thinnings, light a fire and boil the
kettle to make a cuppa whilst you admire your handiwork, collect the
compliments and think how you can do it all again in a few years time.

I like the idea of the kettle.

Howard Neil