The boundary hedge that causes the most disputes, kept under control.

Why conifers need their own approach

Leylandii, thuja and Lawson cypress grow fast, up to a metre a year unchecked, and unlike beech or hornbeam they will not regrow from a hard cut into brown wood. Once you cut past the green needle layer, that face stays bare permanently. On gardens along Chatham Maritime and the Dockyard fringe, salt wind off the estuary already thins the seaward side naturally, so an aggressive cut there is even more likely to leave a lasting gap.

The annual conifer calendar

1. Late spring (May – June)

   First trim of the year on fast growers, keeping the shape tight before the main summer growth flush. Nesting check required before cutting.

2. Late August – September

   Second annual trim once the nesting closure ends, this is what stops a conifer hedge putting on a metre of uncontrolled growth every year.

3. Winter (Jan – Feb), if a reduction is needed

   Any height reduction beyond routine trimming happens here, staged over two winters if the cut is severe. See our staged reduction guide for the full two-year plan.

High hedge disputes

Under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, Part 8, a persistent evergreen hedge over 2 metres that unreasonably blocks light or access can be the subject of a formal complaint to Medway Council. We'd rather you never get there, keeping a conifer hedge on a twice-yearly trim schedule is the single most effective way to avoid it becoming a legal matter. See our complaint timeline guide if you're already past that point.

Pricing

Routine conifer trims sit in the same £120 – £400 range as other hedge trimming. A staged reduction on an overgrown leylandii screen typically runs £300 – £900 per visit.