What we walked into
The owners had always kept this hedge down themselves. Over the last few years it got beyond them, and it had grown to around twelve foot along fifty metres of boundary.
We took two and a half foot off the top, down level with the gutters, and shaped a slope into the trees at the far end. It rained all day, the ladder got moved about forty times, and the owner's dog followed us the whole way round.
Filmed and posted September 2026. Watch the full job on our YouTube channel.
The job in numbers
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Where | Meinciau, near Pontyates |
| The job | Birch hedge reduction |
| Length | About 50 metres |
| Height | Twelve foot down to about nine |
| Top | Two and a half foot off, down to gutter height |
| Last this low | About three years ago, going by the old cut lines |
Step by step
Find the old line
The previous cut lines showed us where it was last kept, about three years ago.
Take the top off
Two and a half foot off, down to gutter height, working from the ladder.
Slope the end
Graded down into the trees at the end so it blends in.
Sides and clean up
Sides cut back and the clippings cleared.
Reading old cut lines
You can usually see where a hedge was last cut by the thicker knuckles of old stems. Cutting back to just above those keeps the hedge dense, because it's regrowing from wood that has already been cut and branched.
If a hedge has run away from you, it doesn't have to go back in one go. Taking it to the old line first and tightening it up the year after is kinder to the hedge.
Want the same result?
Send us a photo of your garden. Fixed price in writing, usually the same day, across Meinciau.
Prefer to send photos? Text them to 07888 293 754 or email info@kelticgroundswales.co.uk
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