Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:54:32 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306246#Comment_306246 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306246#Comment_306246 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 08:37:05 +0100 Victorianeco https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vw4_OA6jcoFKIn08E6apKaNtEqZUPE0j/view?usp=drivesdk

It appears to be a mix of intertwined plants:

Holly
Ivy
cotoneaster salicifolius
Brambles
Rose
Amongst others

Now I appreciate the wildlife factor, but we want to level it and grow plants of our own choice; cherry laurel or similar.

It's simply overgrown and blocking sunlight.

Any tips for removing it all? Some of the trunks are at least 4" thick in areas

All material will be shredded and composted for use in the garden]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306247#Comment_306247 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306247#Comment_306247 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 08:46:24 +0100 Victorianeco

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wRawp2SQGq61SBzEzjjK2NeafUljarpS/view?usp=drivesdk

It does seem sacrilege but I'm off the opinion things will grow back and we'll do our bit by shredding and seeing side areas for bugs, critters etc

I'd possibly like to get the pond back up and running.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306248#Comment_306248 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306248#Comment_306248 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 10:11:36 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary Is the boundary fence in the right place? If it is you would be entitled to cut back to the fence (boundary). You can probably reduce the height to what ever the local regulations allow (probably 2 M) but consult with the neighbour first.

For the pond I would trim back to see what you have i.e. a severe haircut in the autumn and then see what emerges in the spring. Ponds can be a mixed blessing and be a haven for the mosquitoes all summer.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306249#Comment_306249 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306249#Comment_306249 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 10:31:53 +0100 Victorianeco https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306315#Comment_306315 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306315#Comment_306315 Mon, 22 Jul 2024 10:26:04 +0100 Artiglio https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306316#Comment_306316 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306316#Comment_306316 Mon, 22 Jul 2024 10:45:52 +0100 Dominic Cooney What's on the other side of the hedge? Is it the garden boundary? livestock?

I would go native mixed hedging for the wildlife value, there's so much to choose from whether you want thorny or not.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306319#Comment_306319 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=306319#Comment_306319 Mon, 22 Jul 2024 13:01:05 +0100 Rex
Not possible to get all the roots and rootlets, but after time, the main root will be sufficient loose to lever out. I also use a scaffold 'crowbar' that is very useful for applying extreme leverage below the root.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=308399#Comment_308399 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=308399#Comment_308399 Sat, 10 May 2025 21:50:49 +0100 Victorianeco
Trying to work on the garden now, so this native mixed hedging... Does it all intertwine and then give different colours throughout the year? Just looking for some ideas to plant later this year about 8m worth

Evergreen may be best if possible?

Thanks]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=308405#Comment_308405 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=308405#Comment_308405 Mon, 12 May 2025 07:09:44 +0100 Dominic Cooney Hawthorn
Blackthorn
Holly
Rowan
Dog Rose

Available bare-root from November, cheapest way (except holly, it comes in pots)

All are native and have berries/hips/nuts for wildlife

Double row, staggered, 5 plants per metre
I estimate about £100
Buy from local grower if possible for provenance, and to support local business.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=308406#Comment_308406 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=308406#Comment_308406 Mon, 12 May 2025 07:25:01 +0100 revor https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=308407#Comment_308407 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=308407#Comment_308407 Mon, 12 May 2025 10:39:36 +0100 djh Posted By: revorHawthorn is a pain to handle when it needs to be cut back so doing again I would leave out.Anything thorny can be a pain if you don't wear proper gloves. Not just hawthorn, but also blackthorn and dog rose on that list. Holly isn't thorny but it is prickly. And the brambles and nettles that will spring up also need you to wear gloves. In short, wear strong gloves when dealing with hedges!

Thorns, prickles and stings are very useful to make the hedge impenetrable, of course. And the flowers and berries are very useful for insects and birds.

Field maple and beech are other possibilities, as are hazel or cob nut, hornbeam, yew, dogwood, viburnum, elder etc.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=308408#Comment_308408 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=308408#Comment_308408 Mon, 12 May 2025 14:23:38 +0100 Doubting_Thomas Posted By: Dominic Cooney

Available bare-root from November, cheapest way (except holly, it comes in pots)

All are native and have berries/hips/nuts for wildlife

Double row, staggered, 5 plants per metre
I estimate about £100
Buy from local grower if possible for provenance, and to support local business.

Just to say I did almost exactly this about 3 years ago and mostly it has been very positive. Plants went it as bareroot 'whips' and are now up to about chest height.

Added a few others for colour & fruit : Beech, Alder, Hornbeam, Field Maple, Crab apple, Barberry, European pear, Cherry plum, Juneberry (Amelanchier) and Wild Privet; mainly taken from a list of native varieties that are good for birds.

What I found was about a 20% failure rate in the first year, so 10 plants of the original 50 just didn't take and we had to replace them.

Of those new 10, probably another 2 failed the following year (again 20%). So definitely make some allowance in your time and budget for replanting some each year.

Also, I followed some advice about a 'hard prune' which is quite counter-intuitive initially - you basically cut back the plants quite heavily after the first growing season so that they are forced to grow outwards rather than upwards. Not sure all of mine have fully recovered but it does seem to have made for a 'bushy' hedge.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=308409#Comment_308409 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18161&Focus=308409#Comment_308409 Mon, 12 May 2025 22:08:58 +0100 Mike1
Also consider when to do it - as mentioned above, bare root trees are aren't likely to be available until the end of the year, and now is nesting season, so not a good time to be pulling out the old. In some areas of France you can be fined for disturbing hedges between March 15th & July 31st.]]>