Cultivating a box (privet) hedge
 

I need information on the above. What I am dealing with is box privet
hedges which are approx 2 feet high and vary in width from 12 to 24
inch. The lady I work for wants them to be manicured, either in their
current shape or into a wedge shape. Can I cut them from square to
wedge in one go. or is this a long term project, say 3 - 4 years? I
musn't bare them so badly that they don't green up this season. When
should I attack? She seems to be of the view that this must be done by
hand. I want to use a petrol hedgecutter initially and then tidy by
hand. Any advice would be very welcome. Thanks, Johnny

Cultivating a box (privet) hedge
 

"Joegina" wrote in message
ups.com...
I need information on the above. What I am dealing with is box privet
hedges which are approx 2 feet high and vary in width from 12 to 24
inch. The lady I work for wants them to be manicured, either in their
current shape or into a wedge shape. Can I cut them from square to
wedge in one go. or is this a long term project, say 3 - 4 years? I
musn't bare them so badly that they don't green up this season. When
should I attack? She seems to be of the view that this must be done by
hand. I want to use a petrol hedgecutter initially and then tidy by
hand. Any advice would be very welcome. Thanks, Johnny

Cut it hard to the shape you want with the means which you have
available and it will thrive. If you have any doubts about what I have
said go to www.google.com and search using: pruning privet hedge.

Regards,
Emrys Davies.

Cultivating a box (privet) hedge
 

"Joegina" wrote in message
ups.com...
I need information on the above. What I am dealing with is box privet
hedges which are approx 2 feet high and vary in width from 12 to 24
inch. The lady I work for wants them to be manicured, either in their
current shape or into a wedge shape. Can I cut them from square to
wedge in one go. or is this a long term project, say 3 - 4 years? I
musn't bare them so badly that they don't green up this season. When
should I attack? She seems to be of the view that this must be done by
hand. I want to use a petrol hedgecutter initially and then tidy by
hand. Any advice would be very welcome. Thanks, Johnny


Do you mean privet - ligustrum
Box - Buxus
or Lonicera nitidia which has small leaves and is variously known as box or
privet but is in fact honeysuckle!
My experience of both the Privet and nitidia is you can be quite ruthless
with them, but if its box then most people do seem to do them by hand but as
I have never owned a box hedge I have no idea whether that is essential.

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collections of Clematis viticella (cvs) and
Lapageria rosea

Hi Johnny

If you are not used to shaping box, create a frame or outline of any shapes you want, put it in place and then cut to the lines of the frame.

Pretend you are a hairdresser when working with box. Before cutting comb box through (with your fingers) then cut small amounts at the beginning taking it near to the required shape, if time permits finish cutting to shape the next day, this gives box time to fall into shape naturally.

Good luck

Cultivating a box (privet) hedge
 

Thanks to you both for your replies. Info taken on board.
Johnny