Question
Hello,

We will be installing an inground pool in the spring and are having a pvc fence installed this fall at the back of our property.  There is a 15 foot hedge back there and we would like to set the fence, which is 5' high, into the hedges so they "hang" over the new fence.  I was told i could just cut the hedges back to the trunk up to 5 feet and set the fence in.  Will this kill the hedges or cause any other problems?  I also noticed that alot of the main branches start near the bottom of the trunks and if i remove them, it will destroy the higher portions of the hedge.  Any advice?

Answer
Most hedge plants can be severely pruned and will come back if done properly and at the right time of year. Be sure to cut branches cleanly, wait till fall after leaves have dropped in your area. It may take a year or more after pruning for the hedge to look good again. If the lower branches are the trunks of the upper areas of the hedge then of course cutting them will be removing both top and bottom. Carefully prune to avoid cutting branches you don't want to loose.

Best of Luck
Sean Murphy
SEI
www.seengineering.com
www.amenityarchitects.com