Can this hedge bush be significantly trimmed?

konsole

On our property we have this evergreen hedge bush thats grown atleast 2-3 feet wider then preferred and I would like to know if this type of bush can be significantly trimmed and the bush will survive the trimming?

Normally I would say a significant trimming is fine except that this type of bush only has needles on the outer edges of the bush, so trimming it back more then a few inches will cut off all the needles and leave nothing but an empty bush with just branches.

Will the bush grow new needles back if I was to trim the bush far enough to cut off all the current needles?

Yoyizit

Look up apical dominance. But, following this rule may not result in a pretty bush.

cibula11

Usually a good rule of thumb is no more than 1/3 of the size at a time. It might look bare for a few weeks, but most likely it will return full. Be careful trimming in drought like conditions.

chrisn

IF you attept this (and it CAN be done) do not do it now, wait till early next spring. In the meantime google pruning yews.

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Yoyizit

Won't the autumn work also?

GardenConcepts

Excessive shearing of Yews, and many other evergreen shrubs, results in a thin layer of growth on the top and sides of the plant, with nothing in the center. By constantly shearing, the growth gets thick on the outside, and no light gets inside the plant- so no foliage on the inside. The best way to prune this plant is with a pair of hand pruners. Carefully select stems to remove on the inside of the plant- thinning out enough to let light get to the center. This will promote growth down in the center area. On Yews like the one in the picture, it should take about 2-3 years to take it down in height by approximately 1/3 by thinning. You can still shear if you like to shape your plants into meatballs, cubes, cones, etc., but thinning is necessary to promote growth on the inside.

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Chris

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biggles

all the lighter green is new growth and a agressive trimmimg wil leave openings but will fill in next year.might want to wait till fall as suggested..the bush is at its active stage and could get shocked and die off.if anything dig a trench around it and treat it to a full back of manure...take a five gallon bucket 1/2 a bag water mix it up and pour it into the trench.this will build up the new growth and set it up for the fall trim..then another manure fix in the fall

chrisn

depens on where you are, for what this guy wants to do, late fall might encourage winter burn ( not good)

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