A Beech Hedge Put Right After an Uneven Cut
A beech hedge left very uneven by another company, put right by our team.
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The job
Tracey's beech hedge had been cut by a different company and, in her words, it "was very uneven from when a different company hacked at it". She asked our team to put it right.
When the work was done, she said the hedge "looked tip top". She also mentioned the price and the service: our team were "well priced, deliver an excellent service, and are professional to deal with."
How an uneven beech hedge is brought back
However a hedge ends up uneven, the good news with beech is that it copes well with being cut back. The RHS lists beech among the hedges that respond well to renovation, and says they can usually be cut back by up to about half their height and width.
For a hedge that needs heavy work, the RHS advises staggering it over two seasons rather than doing it all at once: one side and the top in the first year, the other side the next. Hard cutting is best done in February, while the hedge is dormant. For routine trimming of an established beech hedge, the RHS suggests the second week of August.
Clipped beech also holds on to its dead brown leaves through winter, so a beech hedge keeps some screening even when it isn't in leaf.
Whatever the timing, nesting birds come first. The RSPB calls March to September the main nesting season, and active nests are protected by law all year round.
Planning similar hedge work?
If your hedge has been cut unevenly or has grown out of shape, see our hedge trimming page. For timing, read our guides on the best time to prune trees and bird nesting season and tree work. If the problem is a tall evergreen hedge instead, see leylandii hedges that are too tall.
Our teams cover Stockport and the surrounding towns, including Bramhall, Marple and Poynton. Get a free quote.
“[The team] did an excellent job on my beech hedge - it was very uneven from when a different company hacked at it, but after [the team] were finished, it looked tip top. They are well priced, deliver an excellent service, and are professional to deal with. I highly recommend them.”
Tracey P., Google review
Common Questions
Can a badly cut beech hedge be saved?
Usually, yes. The RHS lists beech among the hedges that respond well to renovation, unlike most conifers. Our team can look at the hedge and say what it can take when they quote.
When should a beech hedge be trimmed?
The RHS suggests trimming the sides of an established beech hedge in the second week of August, and doing any hard cutting back in February while it's dormant. Either way, check for nesting birds first.
Why does my beech hedge keep its brown leaves in winter?
Young and clipped beech holds on to its dead leaves through winter, according to the RHS. That's normal, and it's one reason beech is popular for hedging.
Can you cut a hedge in nesting season?
In a garden, you can legally cut at any time of year as long as no active nests are damaged or disturbed. The RSPB advises cutting between 1 September and 28 February where you can, and checking for nests at any time.
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