Graeme Hinchliffe wrote:

Hello Graeme

GH Are there any tips people could give me that would
GH help in getting this hedge back into a thickley built tall
GH hedge again. I have tried allowing it grow and only
GH trimming the sides of the hedge not the top, but this has
GH left the hedge looking a bit bedraggled and it doesn't seem
GH to have much density to it, and seems loose.

Light feeding and generous watering should do the trick.

GH Should I be trimming off the majority of the top
GH growth to encourge a more dense growth and only allowing a
GH couple of inches of new growth with each trim?

Look at the hedge before you cut. You'll see a natural line - above
which are only straggly bits, and below is denser. Cut there.

GH Also how often should I trim the hedge? I have read
GH that you should have it slighly slopped on the sides so
GH allow good light to the lower branches and stop snow from
GH damaging upper branches, but nothing on how to get the hedge
GH to become more densly packed and gain height.

Generally you cut a hedge lightly, only trimming the outline until
it's reached the required heighth and width. Then you pick a level and
stick with it, trimming back to the same spot each time. (No more or
it'll expose brown). Once you're doing this then it'll thicken
significantly and you're well underway. 3 or 4 cuts during the
spring/summer.

One note though - don't let it go too wide. 3' is ideal as you can
then reach from one side. My long privet hedge here is too thick at
about 5' and it's an utter bugger to trim from one side. Less of an
issue if you can get to both sides, but do keep in mind future
maintenance.

Once established, cut twice a year or so. More if you don't like it
straggly.

--
Simon Avery, Dartmoor, UK Ý http://www.digdilem.org/