How Much Does Hedge Cutting Cost in the Chilterns?

Why Chiltern Hedges Cost What They Cost

The Chilterns has a particular hedge culture. Beech is the classic hedge on the chalk, kept for its russet winter leaves. Yew is the formal hedge of choice for the larger gardens around Henley, Marlow and Beaconsfield. Leylandii is the fast-growing conifer used for quick screening, and it is the one that causes the most problems when it gets out of hand.

Hedge cutting cost depends on four things:

1. Length and height of the hedge (more hedge means more cutting time)
2. Species (some cut faster than others)
3. Access (can we get a platform or ladder to it?)
4. Waste removal (cuttings have to go somewhere)

Hedge Cutting Prices by Species in the Chilterns

Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

The classic Chiltern hedge. Cut once a year in late August. A 20 metre beech hedge at 1.8 metres tall costs 200 to 300 per cut including waste removal. Beech responds well to hard pruning, so renovation work is straightforward.

Yew (Taxus baccata)

Formal yew hedges are the backbone of the larger Chiltern gardens. Cut twice a year, in June and September. A 20 metre yew hedge at 1.8 metres tall costs 250 to 400 per cut. Yew regenerates from old wood, so overgrown hedges can be cut back hard in February.

Leylandii (x Hesperotropsis leylandii)

The fast-growing conifer that gets everywhere. Cut twice a year to keep in check. A 20 metre leylandii hedge at 2.5 metres tall costs 350 to 500 per cut. Leylandii cannot be cut back into old brown wood, so if it has got too tall the only option is removal and replanting.

Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)

Similar to beech in habit and pricing. Cut once a year in late August. A 20 metre hornbeam hedge at 1.8 metres tall costs 200 to 300 per cut.

Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium)

Fast growing. Cut 2 to 3 times through the growing season. A 20 metre privet hedge at 1.5 metres tall costs 150 to 250 per cut.

Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Cut once in late summer. A 20 metre laurel hedge at 2 metres tall costs 250 to 400 per cut. Laurels are best cut with secateurs rather than a trimmer to avoid cutting leaves in half.

Tall Hedge Cutting in the Chilterns

Many Chiltern gardens have tall hedges for privacy, particularly on the exposed hillsides. Cutting a hedge over 2.5 metres requires a platform or ladder, which adds time and cost. For hedges over 3 metres, we use a tractor-mounted platform or a cherry picker, which adds 150 to 300 to the cost.

Hedge Renovation in the Chilterns

Overgrown hedges can usually be renovated rather than removed. The technique depends on the species:

• Beech, hornbeam, yew, hawthorn: can be cut back hard to within 30cm of the ground in February. They regrow over 2 to 3 years.
• Privet, laurel: can be cut back hard in late winter.
• Leylandii: cannot be cut back into old brown wood. If it has got too tall, removal is the only option.

Renovation work is priced per metre. A 20 metre hedge reduced by 1 metre in height costs 300 to 600 depending on species and access.

Bird Nesting Season in the Chilterns

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is being built or used. The main nesting season is 1 March to 31 August. We can cut hedges during this period if we check carefully for nests first, but if nests are present we wait until September. See our full guide on when to cut hedges in the UK.

Waste Removal for Hedge Cuttings

Hedge cuttings are bulky and hard to compost at home. We remove all cuttings as part of the quote. For a 20 metre tall hedge, expect 2 to 4 bin bags of cuttings per cut. Waste removal adds 50 to 150 to the cost depending on volume.

Get a Hedge Cutting Quote in the Chilterns

Contact us on WhatsApp with a photo of your hedge and approximate length and height. We will give you a price range the same day and confirm a fixed price after a site visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should my hedge be cut?

Most formal hedges need one or two cuts a year. Fast-growing hedges like leylandii and privet need two or three. See our hedge cutting calendar for detail by species.

Can you cut hedges in the rain?

We can, but we prefer not to. Wet cuttings are heavier, tools slip, and the finish is not as clean. We reschedule if the weather is very bad.

My leylandii has got too tall. Can you reduce it?

Leylandii cannot be cut back into old brown wood. If the hedge has got too tall or too wide, the only option is to remove it and replant with a slower-growing species.

Further Reading

• When should hedges be cut in the UK?
• How much does garden clearance cost?
• What to do when hedges have been left too long

Sources and citations

This article draws on the following sources. Specific claims are cited inline where relevant.

1. CGM field records (2024-03. Site observations from gardens across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire.
2. Royal Horticultural Society (2024). RHS Gardening Advice and Plant Finder. Available at rhs.org.uk.
3. Met Office (2024). Regional climate averages, South East England. Available at metoffice.gov.uk.
4. British Geological Survey (2024). Soil parent material data for the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Available at bgs.ac.uk.