Try a hedge trimmer next time.

To trim off 6 feet? I guess maybe if the branches are small enough.

But generally I've trimmed hedges with a hand saw, and it indeed is
slow and laborious.

I don't know if something like this:
http://www.blackanddecker.com/Produc...ProductID=9867
and/or
http://www.orchardsedge.com/order1.jsp?code=RL-3560

would be easier.

Also, http://www.ehow.com/how_15261_prune-hedges.html says "Evergreen
hedges such as juniper and cypress should never be trimmed below the
foliage or they won't grow back. Clip only a few inches from the
previous year's growth." I think there might be a happy medium
between "a few inches" and "below the foliage" but anyway, I thought I
should pass along this advice.