Question
Following a complaint from a neighbor and a visit from a municipal inspector, I’m obliged to reduce the height of a cedar hedge that borders the lot in front of my house to 1 m (3 feet), which in my opinion will kill this beautiful 45-year-old hedge. The inspector will give me only one alternative, that of a gradual cut that would at least delay the hedge’s eventual death and the permanent sight of undesirable neighbors. What do you suggest I do?
Answer
You don’t say how tall your hedge is, but I assume it’s about 1.8 m (6 feet) or more. But cutting back a cedar hedge (Thuja occidentalis), the cedar’s real name, by 1 m (3 feet) is essentially impossible. This is because cedar, like most conifers, does not regrow from its old wood. This being the case, I don’t see how a gradual cut can change anything. Eventually, you’ll reach the old wood, whether this year or next. Note that your cedars won’t necessarily die and the sides will stay green, but your hedge will now be dead at the top with no possibility of recovery. I suggest you don’t waste your time with unnecessary pruning: it’s sad, but your hedge has to go. Pull it out!
I know I’ve said it many times, but I’ll say it again: conifers, including cedars, don’t make good hedging subjects! As soon as they have to be severely pruned, there’s no chance of recovery. I suggest that anyone thinking of planting a hedge should always choose deciduous shrubs. These plants have the capacity to regenerate completely, even if they need to be pruned 15 cm from the ground.
If you’re looking to create a low, hassle-free hedge with low-maintenance, hardy shrubs, consider shrubby cinquefoil, dwarf boxwood or dwarf spirea. These shrubs all reach less than a metre in height and keep their shape naturally without you needing to get out the secateurs. They stand up well to harsh climates, giving you a hedge that stays beautiful without extra effort.
Larry Hodgson published thousands of articles and 65 books over the course of his career, in both French and English. His son, Mathieu, has made it his mission to make his father’s writings accessible to the public. This text was originally published in Le Soleil on August 26, 2006.
Hedges are a tough subject. I see so many exemplary specimens in the Pacific Northwest and, surprisingly, in Arizona. Horticultural professionals in such regions do not seem to mind giving them the occasionally aggressive maintenance that they need. Here, though, so-called ‘gardeners’ do not seem to care. Furthermore, hedges are passe because they do not conform to relaxed landscape styles, or complete lack of style. I miss good old fashioned hedges. We use very different species for them here, and cedars in particular would not perform well for us. It may seem silly by Canadian standards, but glossy privet was a common hedge decades ago.
Surprised you mentioned the dying decease/bug infested rather unsightly boxwood. Everywhere I look they are dead or dying. You did not mention ninebarks, viburnums , Antonia low growing evergreens or even dogwoods and many other. All the ones I mentioned are easy to prune fast growing and can even be cut back and rejuvenated. If he’s looking for evergreen our native yews are fabulous. Do not understand why when giving advice we tend to provide non natives as our native plants are easy to take care of do better and need less work or babysitting. Please think about recommending native before other plants. Our eco system needs us