Trimming my giant bush
Discussion
Sorry, nothing sexy to see here...
I have some big ass leylandii in my garden about 3m high and maybe 40m long. Trimming the sides is easy enough but the tops are a pain made worse by the fact that there are a few rogue elders sprouting here and there.
What is the best tool (by best, I mean easiest) to cut the tops twice a year. I'd like to avoid messing around with ladders and really just want to walk along hacking it off. I assume a pole trimmer will struggle with the elders but perhaps I've just been using ones which are too weak.
I have some big ass leylandii in my garden about 3m high and maybe 40m long. Trimming the sides is easy enough but the tops are a pain made worse by the fact that there are a few rogue elders sprouting here and there.
What is the best tool (by best, I mean easiest) to cut the tops twice a year. I'd like to avoid messing around with ladders and really just want to walk along hacking it off. I assume a pole trimmer will struggle with the elders but perhaps I've just been using ones which are too weak.
netherfield said:
Randy Winkman said:
Whatever you do - if you do it now you will need to be careful about nesting birds. You might even be breaking the law. Sorry that doesnt actually help. 
Not breaking the law in your own garden, but yes be careful of nesting birds.miniman said:
What you need is to pay someone to do it.
This, oh so much this! I have (or rather had) about the same as you (slightly more but whatevs) and it was the best £800 I spent. I had been gradually knocking ours down bit by bit over a couple of years, last year I couldn't face it so had someone come in and take them down to half their height (lower in some places to restore our views out the windows). They spent a day doing it, would have taken me a week or more to achieve the same result.Randy Winkman said:
netherfield said:
Randy Winkman said:
Whatever you do - if you do it now you will need to be careful about nesting birds. You might even be breaking the law. Sorry that doesnt actually help.
Not breaking the law in your own garden, but yes be careful of nesting birds.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wild-birds-protection-...
geeks said:
miniman said:
What you need is to pay someone to do it.
This, oh so much this! I have (or rather had) about the same as you (slightly more but whatevs) and it was the best £800 I spent. I had been gradually knocking ours down bit by bit over a couple of years, last year I couldn't face it so had someone come in and take them down to half their height (lower in some places to restore our views out the windows). They spent a day doing it, would have taken me a week or more to achieve the same result.Randy Winkman said:
netherfield said:
Randy Winkman said:
Whatever you do - if you do it now you will need to be careful about nesting birds. You might even be breaking the law. Sorry that doesnt actually help.
Not breaking the law in your own garden, but yes be careful of nesting birds.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wild-birds-protection-...
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to intentionally damage or destroy an active nest. Between the beginning of March and end of August, thorough checks of the areas that are to be worked are needed. It's worth noting that some bird species nest outside of this timeframe, not to mention other protected wildlife.
I used thermal and night vision as part of my pre work inspection and monitor for a short while to watch for any activity in and out. If you are happy you can demonstrate that you are all clear, it's absolutely fine to crack on.
Easy really attach a garden hose to the exhaust of your car .....................stick it in the Leylandii bush / hedge / tree .... turn engine on
go and have a cup of tea ...
come back and cut the hedge
it works for nesting Horse flies
go and have a cup of tea ...
come back and cut the hedge
it works for nesting Horse flies
Edited by Purosangue on Monday 20th April 23:35
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff