How to prune Cotoneaster Lucidus

Discussion in 'HortForum' started by ritalind, Jul 20, 2005.

  1. ritalind

    ritalind New Member

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    Hi!
    I have a 26-year-old Cotoneaster Lucidus hedge that has grown way out of proportion, and I'm therefore going to prune(or to be more correct, cut) it. I'm just wondering how low I can cut it? It's about 8 feet 2 inches tall at the moment. Is it okay to cut it to a height of 2 feet or will it suffer too much?
     
  2. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    You should be able to coppice it - cut at ground level and let it re-grow from the stumps.

    A better option though would be to lay the hedge - first cut it back to the main trunks about 2m tall, then cut part-way through each stem at the base, enough to bend (not break) the stems to near-horizontal, so that they are all lying in a row along the ground but still attached to the roots; then peg them into place. This gives you a very solid hedge; the new growth will be erect from along the horizontal stems, giving an interlocking impenetrable barrier.

    Best to wait until winter before doing this.

    More info, with pics:
    http://www.hedgelaying.org.uk/
    http://www.nfu.org.uk/stellentdev/g...l_article/hedgesandhedge-layi_ia412f4586.hcsp
     

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