Best time of year to cut a beech hedge down hard to promote new growth?

WIAWSNB

Hi all.
My old but healthy beech hedge, on top of a stone wall, has reached the point where the hedge trimmer cannot cut through the thicker branches. As a result it's become larger - taller and wider - each year, a bit of a 'mare.
I've decided to sort this by getting it cut right down in height - achieved - but leaving enough side greenery in order for it to thrive.
At some point I'll also need to cut that width down to match, and that will also involve cutting through numerous older branches, some an inch or so thick. The hope/expectation is that lovely new shoots will appear that will then be easy to keep tidy using just the trimmer...
The Q is, when is the best time to cut the width right back for this?
Thanks 👍

Rodders53

Googling finds this How to grow beech / RHS 

"February.  Over two seasons." probably. 

But have you banjaxed that by reducing height at the wrong time?  I have no idea.

WIAWSNB

Rodders53 said:

Googling finds this How to grow beech / RHS 

"February.  Over two seasons." probably. 

But have you banjaxed that by reducing height at the wrong time?  I have no idea.

Thanks. I'll check that out.
Not too concerned out the height - I got it to a few inches below what I'd like to end up with, and previous maulings have shown that it comes back strong.
I haven't touch the width, tho', for the reason you've implied - it ain't the right time.
Just wondering if anyone has any practical personal insight - is one time better that others, especially with quite hard cutting back, more than a 'trim'?
Cheers.

twopenny

Overgrown hedges I used to do in two stages. Following years.
But as beech is deciduous I'd do it in winter and keep your fingers crossed that it sprouts well enough next year.

They do hedge laying around here with beech, I noticed that the ones done last autumn are beginning to sprout now.

WIAWSNB

twopenny said:

Overgrown hedges I used to do in two stages. Following years.
But as beech is deciduous I'd do it in winter and keep your fingers crossed that it sprouts well enough next year.

They do hedge laying around here with beech, I noticed that the ones done last autumn are beginning to sprout now.

Thanks.

I have just reduced its height, and a year ago reduced one side's width - and it came back lush and green from this.

I will probably leave the other side - which now badly needs cutting back - to Feb next year? Or this Autumn?