Hello Dear Forum, I have a cedar hedge which has become much taller than acceptable and needs some serious cutting to meet the local city rules on maximum hedge height. It is currently about 8 feet high which is roughly 2 feet taller than what is acceptable. The hedge is in good health and has been established for more than 10 years. My question is, is there a significant risk that it will die if I cut it in one shot from 8 to 6 feet or is it likely to survive well ? It is a fairly important question, since I need to comply with the local rules asap but I am concerned about the risk to the hedge. Thanks for the help. Lsauve
It's kind of green... Seriouly I'll try to look up the exact type with a branch sample. I believe it's a white cedar (thuya). I'll let you know asap. Tx. lsauve
I brought a branch for identification and the guy at the garder supply store tells me that it is a: Thuja Occidentalis, probably the nigra variety. Hope this is enough to go on. Tx. Lsauve
Thuja occidentalis can have a couple feet trimmed from them, they dont like it but will usually tolerate it. you will find brown needles and bare branches in the center, its normal. try to taper the top from the sides inward so you dont leave a flat top for snow to accumulate on and build up, this will cause branches bending and perhaps breaking.
