In article ,
Lobster wrote:

OK, so what's the best time of year to attack it, then? There are two
criteria which may or may not be contradictory: first, maintaining the
health of the hedge, and second, minimising the time during which it
will look totally crap and the neighbours will be able to peer through
and watch our every move ;-)

Late winter or early spring. If you kill privet by cutting it back,
I for one will be amazed. I don't recommend cutting a VERY old
hedge back to a stump, but cutting it back to 1-2' high should not
worry it at all.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.