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Quick Answer
If hedges have been left too long, you can renovate most species by cutting one side hard one year, the other side the next year, and the top the third year. Yew, beech, hornbeam, hawthorn, privet and laurel all respond well to hard pruning. Leylandii does not: it cannot regrow from old brown wood, so an overgrown leylandii hedge usually needs to be removed and replaced.
Why Hedges Get Overgrown
Hedges get overgrown for predictable reasons. A year or two of missed cuts, an elderly owner who cannot manage the trimming, a tenant who did not maintain the garden, or simply a hedge that was planted in the wrong place and has outgrown its space. In the Chilterns, where hedges grow vigorously on the fertile soils, an overgrown hedge can become a 4 metre tall, 2 metre wide monster within 5 years of neglect.
The good news is that most overgrown hedges can be renovated rather than removed. Yew, beech, hornbeam, hawthorn, privet and laurel all respond well to hard pruning. With a 3-year renovation plan, you can bring an overgrown hedge back to a manageable size without killing it. The main exception is leylandii, which cannot regrow from old brown wood.
Which Hedges Can Be Renovated?
| Hedge type | Can be renovated? | How hard can you cut? |
|---|---|---|
| Yew | Yes, very well | Cut to 30cm from ground |
| Beech | Yes, well | Cut to 60cm from ground |
| Hornbeam | Yes, very well | Cut to 60cm from ground |
| Hawthorn | Yes, very well | Cut to 60cm from ground |
| Privet | Yes, very well | Cut to 30cm from ground |
| Laurel | Yes, well | Cut to 1m from ground |
| Holly | Yes, slowly | Cut to 1m from ground |
| Leylandii | No | Cannot regrow from old wood |
| Box | Yes, but watch for blight | Cut to 30cm from ground |
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The 3-Year Renovation Plan
The trick with hedge renovation is to do it over 3 years, not all at once. Cutting the whole hedge hard in one go shocks the plant and can kill it. Cutting one side at a time leaves enough foliage for the plant to recover.
Year 1: Cut one side hard
In February or March (before nesting season), cut one side of the hedge back hard. For yew and privet, cut to 30cm from the main stems. For beech and hornbeam, cut to 60cm. For laurel, cut to 1 metre. Leave the other side and the top untouched.
Year 2: Cut the other side
The following February or March, cut the other side of the hedge back hard. The side you cut in year 1 should be regrowing with fresh shoots.
Year 3: Cut the top
In the third February or March, cut the top of the hedge back to the desired height. By now, both sides should be regrowing strongly.
Year 4 onwards: Regular maintenance
From year 4, cut the hedge once a year to keep it in shape. The hedge will look thin and bare for the first 2 years, but by year 4 it should be a dense, healthy hedge at the size you want.
When to Renovate Hedges
The best time to renovate a hedge is in late winter (February to early March), before the bird nesting season starts and before the spring growth begins. This gives the hedge the whole growing season to recover.
Never renovate a hedge between March and August, when birds may be nesting. It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to damage or destroy an active nest. Check the hedge carefully before starting work.
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What to Do with Leylandii
Leylandii cannot be renovated. It does not regrow from old brown wood, so if you cut it back beyond the green growth, you are left with brown stems that will never recover. The only options for an overgrown leylandii hedge are:
- Reduce the height by 30 to 60cm, if there is enough green growth below.
- Remove the hedge entirely and replace with a slower-growing species like yew or beech.
- Live with it at its current size, but commit to cutting it twice a year to prevent further growth.
Removing a leylandii hedge costs 200 to 600 pounds for a 10 metre hedge, depending on height and access. Stump grinding is extra.
Tools for Hedge Renovation
- Petrol hedge trimmer: for cutting back the sides and top
- Loppers: for cutting thick stems
- Pruning saw: for cutting very thick stems
- Chainsaw: for cutting the main trunks of large hedges (qualified users only)
- Step ladder or platform: for reaching the top of tall hedges
- Safety gear: gloves, goggles, ear defenders
For tall hedges (over 3 metres), consider hiring a cherry picker or a professional hedge cutting service. See our hedge cutting service.
The Cost of Hedge Renovation
| Job | DIY cost | Professional cost |
|---|---|---|
| Renovate 10m hedge (3 year plan) | 0 (tools) | 500-1,500 pounds |
| Remove 10m leylandii hedge | 200 (skip) | 400-800 pounds |
| Stump grinding (10m) | 100 (hire) | 200-400 pounds |
| Replant with yew (10m, 60-80cm) | 400-800 (plants) | 800-1,500 pounds |
Common Mistakes
- Cutting the whole hedge at once. This can kill the hedge. Do one side at a time over 3 years.
- Cutting leylandii into old wood. Leylandii does not regrow from brown wood. Avoid cutting back beyond the green growth.
- Renovating in nesting season. It is an offence to damage active nests. Cut in February or September.
- Not feeding after renovation. A renovated hedge needs a feed in spring to help it recover.
- Not watering in dry spells. A newly renovated hedge needs water to recover. Water weekly in dry weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cut my beech hedge back hard?
Yes. Beech responds well to hard pruning. Cut one side to 60cm in February, the other side the following February, and the top in the third February.
Will my yew hedge recover from being cut to 30cm?
Yes. Yew is one of the few conifers that regrows from old wood. A yew hedge cut to 30cm will look thin for a year, then regrow thick and dense.
How do I get rid of a leylandii hedge?
Cut it down to ground level (we can do this for you), then grind out the stumps. Replace with a slower-growing hedge like yew or beech.
Get Help with Hedge Renovation
If you have an overgrown hedge in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Bedfordshire, send us a WhatsApp with photos and we will aim to respond within 12 to 36 hours, Monday to Sunday.
Further Reading
On mature hedges, always check for nesting birds before cutting. The bird nesting season runs from March to August. Assess previous pruning history to avoid cutting into old wood that may not regenerate.
Put this advice into practice
Use the relevant CGM tool or follow a related guide, then send us a few photos if you would like a tailored plan.
Sources and citations
This article draws on the following sources. Specific claims are cited inline where relevant.
- CGM field records (2025-12. Site observations from gardens across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire.
- Royal Horticultural Society (2024). RHS Gardening Advice and Plant Finder. Available at rhs.org.uk.
- Met Office (2024). Regional climate averages, South East England. Available at metoffice.gov.uk.
- British Geological Survey (2024). Soil parent material data for the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Available at bgs.ac.uk.