Conifer Hedge: too thick and brown inside

Mumili

We recently moved into our new home. The conifer hedge in the front garden is too thick (about 1.5m), blocks part of the living room window and quite tall (3m). I thought I'd get a hedge trimmer and go at it until it's reduced to a reasonable size, but today I realized that the inside of it is all brown. The inside is very dense, with little light going through, so I am guessing that must be the reason. Only the outside 5-10cm is green. To unblock the window it needs to be thinned at least 30-40cm but if I do that all the green leaves will be gone and I will end up with a brown wall. I am not sure how to go about this. 

Martin_the_Unjust

Conifers only grow from the green bits so don’t cut it back to brown and expect it to grow back.

Best long term plan is to rip them out and plant a nicer hedge.

jonnydeppiwish!

Definitely agree with above. Cut it down and find an alternative.

Section62

Mumili said:

...Only the outside 5-10cm is green. To unblock the window it needs to be thinned at least 30-40cm but if I do that all the green leaves will be gone and I will end up with a brown wall. I am not sure how to go about this. 

As above, but if you really want to keep the hedge then if the branches are still pliable then it is usually possible to bend them up or sideways so the green part is nearer the trunk and then tie them in place.  keep the ties loose around the branches to allow for growth.  After about two years the branches will be 'set' in position and the ties can be cut off.

The result might look a bit scruffy until the start of the next growing season, but any gaps will soon fill in and you can start trimming to the new line you wanted.

FreeBear

Personally, I'd prune at ground level and then plant something like Myrtle (after digging in some compost) - Fairly slow growing, easy to keep to shape, and smells nice. Just don't go sticking Laurel in unless you want a fast growing thug of a hedge.

mark55man

LOL at Thuggy Laurel 

Jonboy_1984

Round here we seem to have more and more issues with people planting them and then letting them grow out over the footpath further and further, making it impossible for wheelchairs and pushchairs to get by. The owners then claim they cannot prune them for this reason.

They really are not suitable for hedging IMO.

twopenny

I fera it's a hopeless case. There is no temporary measure especially this time of year.
The soil under conifers is 'sour' so it needs to come out, a foot or so of soil dug out and replaced with fresh. Cheapest from a builders merchant or use compost from a recycling centre.

If you need a temporary barrier then cut back to 6" from the trunk, tidy off the trunks until you can do the job.
You could put in climbers like varigated ivy but it's really a waste of time and money. Best to get the hedge you want.
Beech is very nice, bright green in spring and copper in autumn. Keep it's leaves in winter. Time to look around the area for something that appeals growing well in local gardens and nurseries are cheeaper than garden centre s.

housebuyer143

FreeBear said:

Personally, I'd prune at ground level and then plant something like Myrtle (after digging in some compost) - Fairly slow growing, easy to keep to shape, and smells nice. Just don't go sticking Laurel in unless you want a fast growing thug of a hedge.

Omg please don't plant a Laurel 😅😂 I have one of those too and it literally grows a foot a year. My poor husband got it from 12 foot high down to 5 but it's is a constant job as they don't stop growing. Next job is to thin it as it's 6 ft in places. 
Everytime I see someone with a laurel now I just feel sorry for them 😂😂

FreeBear

housebuyer143 said:

FreeBear said:

Personally, I'd prune at ground level and then plant something like Myrtle (after digging in some compost) - Fairly slow growing, easy to keep to shape, and smells nice. Just don't go sticking Laurel in unless you want a fast growing thug of a hedge.

Omg please don't plant a Laurel 😅😂 I have one of those too and it literally grows a foot a year. My poor husband got it from 12 foot high down to 5 but it's is a constant job as they don't stop growing. Next job is to thin it as it's 6 ft in places. 
Everytime I see someone with a laurel now I just feel sorry for them 😂😂

Just wait until you try and dig the darned thing out - It suckers profusely from any root left in the ground, and the roots can go quite deep and spread. Had one in my garden that was cut to ground level. Eventually had a mini-digger in to get rid of the roots (it was here for another task).

Grenage

As already mentioned, coniferous hedges won't regrow from the brown material.  They can make great hedges as long as you don't drop the ball and keep it to size.

Easier to cut it down and plant something else.  Fast-growing hedges are great until they're at their desired height.