Jan 13, 2020 | News, pruning, Tree pruning, tree work
An old apple tree needs a bit of grooming .. but it has to be done over a couple of years
When it comes to fruit
tree pruning you might think that one season will be enough to bring back a tree from a total mess to a well structured, healthy and fruitful tree but no it
isn’t enough. Most of the time you need to allow few years to reshape such tree.
Tree we have done recently had lots of water sprouts ( suckers ) that haven’t been removed after someone else before did what it seemed to me like a major reduction ..
It had some rubbing, crossing branches and some dead ones..
Decision was to remove suckers, crossing / rubbing branches and some dead ones. No reduction this year as this would have been too much in my opinion.
Jan 17, 2019 | gardener, hedge cut, hedge maintenance, News, pruning, tidy up, Tree pruning, tree work
Mid of January 2019 and we are getting busy – pruning, hedge trimming, garden tidy ups, shrubs and trees removal
This week we are fully booked up – just before a forecasted cold snap expected to hit us very soon, but will it ? š
What’s been done and what’s still ahead of us is listed below:
On Wednesday some fruit trees pruned and a big leilandii hedge trimming – DONE
Photos below:
On Thursday medium tree to be pruned, and quite a few medium sized budleia trees uprooted – DONE
You can read a review of the above mentioned job here
On Friday a garden tidy up including another budleia removal and privet hedge reduction – DONE
Let’s see what the next week will bring us – hopefully snow !!!
Mar 4, 2018
I was searching for someone to help get my garden ready for the summer and allow me a little more time to enjoy it! Upon meeting Paul for the initial quote, he was full of ideas and enthusiasm and to my surprise said he could start three days later.
Paul and his wing man turned up promptly in sub zero temperatures and worked with speed, focus and accuracy for two full days.
They re-did the entire rear fence, cleared substantial overgrown areas, removed one tree stump and one full tree whilst pruning the very over grown apple tree.
My entire decking was cleaned, lawn mown, shrubs and bushes trimmed, brambles stripped and every element of rubbish removed. The transformation was fantastic ..
I could not recommend Paul high enough and look forward to having him back to help advise and plant my new shrubs and flowers over the coming weeks.
Thanks Paul.
May 2, 2017
My garden had become quite overgrown and I was looking for a gardening team who have all the powertools, and can take the waste away, and who also know their plants. Paul and team were the only ones I found who could do this and they did a wonderful job.
My paths have been cleaned, stumps ground, borders cleared of weeds and ivy and everything has been pruned.
Paul had some excellent ideas for other things we could do to improve the garden which I am sure I will take him up on very soon.
Jan 29, 2015
Paul came very promptly to quote for chopping our enormous budliea. His quote was very reasonable and he returned next day to carry out the work. Very professional, gave sound advice about other plants in the garden, did a great job and took all rubbish away. Also cleaned up very thoroughly afterwards. I would gladly have him back for more work and recommend him to friends. Thanks Paul!
Feb 20, 2014 | hedge cut, hedge maintenance, News, pruning, Tree pruning
When it comes to hedge maintenance, regular hedge cutting / trimming is the single most important thing to do. Regular hedge trim will make your hedge compact and thick right from the bottom.
Why plant a hedge?
Hedge can be a perfect garden boundary, but the wrong one may give you troubles.
- hedges provide shelter.
- They dumpen noises, reduce strong winds
- The obvious they give you privacy.
- security but not all hedges. Thorny, prickly varieties like for example:
Common holly
Firethorn
Blackthorn
Barberry
Buckthorn
- some hedging plants like photinia give you a beautiful seasonal change.
- hedge supports wildlife. Birds love nesting in them as well as eating some berries.
- unlike wooden fences, hedges won’t need replacing for many many years and they don’t require anything more than regular hedge cutting.
I can’t stress that too much.
Hedges need your commitment to regular hedge cutting / trimming.
All types of hedging need at least one hedge cut a year. Some varieties more than one.
A regular light prune is much better for you and your hedge then an occasional heavy cut.
Power tools do a quick job if done regularly. High and overgrown hedges often need costly specialist equipment or professional help
to get them back into shape.
You can avoid a lot of problems in future if you choose the right hedging plants for your boundary.
Hedge planting – the right choice.
The many benefits of growing hedges on your boundary depend on selecting the right plants for the situation. If you choose an unsuitable variety you could be faced with a range of problems, especially if the hedge grows too big. It will be difficult to trim and may cut out light to your garden or house.
- Its roots could deprive other plants of water and nutrients, and even interfere with paths and buildings.
- Oversize hedges will intrude on your garden space, and may cause problems with neighbours.
- Oversize hedges can be costly and time consuming to cut back and most conifers, including Leyland and Lawson’s cypress, will not tolerate hard pruning.
- If the hedge borders a road or path the local authority could get involved, and insist the hedge is cut back.
Luckily there is a wide range of plants available so it’s not difficult to achieve an attractive healthy hedge – one which will take only as much upkeep as you can manage, and create an attractive feature in your neighbourhood, not a bone of contention.
|
Growth rate |
hedge cutting – how often |
Size if unpruned |
Foliage |
Prickly? |
| Beech |
xxx |
Once |
Large tree |
D/LL |
No |
| Berberis |
xx |
Once |
Large shrub |
E |
Yes |
| Cherry laurel |
xx |
Once |
Large shrub |
E |
No |
| Cotoneaster |
xx |
Once |
Large shrub |
E |
No |
| Escallonia |
xx |
Twice |
Large shrub |
E |
No |
| Firethorn |
xx |
Twice |
Large shrub |
E |
Yes |
| Hawthorn |
xxx |
Twice |
Small tree |
D |
Yes |
| Hazel |
xxx |
Once |
Small tree |
D |
No |
| Holly |
x |
Once |
Small tree |
E |
Yes |
| Hornbeam |
xx |
Once |
Large tree |
D/LL |
No |
| Lawsons cypress |
xx |
Twice |
Large tree |
E Conifer |
No |
| Leyland cypress |
xxx |
Twice |
Large tree |
E Conifer |
No |
| Portugal laurel |
x |
Once |
Large shrub |
E |
No |
| Privet |
xx |
Three |
Large shrub |
E |
No |
| Rose |
xx |
Once |
Large shrub |
D |
Yes |
| Western red cedar |
xx |
Twice |
Large tree |
E Conifer |
No |
| Yew |
x |
Once |
Large tree |
E Conifer |
No |
Key:
Growth rate, for established plants
xxx – over 60cm/year
xx – 30-60cm/year
x – 15-30cm/year
Foliage:
D – deciduous
LL – dead leaves held in winter
E – evergreen
My favourite hedging plant has to be YEW ( taxus )
Classic choice but everlasting and makes an excellent hedge. Doesnt need that much hedge cutting either.
Tidy Gardens can trim/prune most of hedges, but if you are that lucky and have spectacular yew like on a picture above then DON’T call us. Call for a crane ! š
