Leylandii Hedge Trim (4m tall)

This Leylandii hedge in Mount Hawke is around 10 metres long and stands at roughly 4 metres tall. The homeowner has me back twice a year to keep it in shape, which is the approach I recommend for any Leylandii of this size. Left much longer than six months, Leylandii puts on enough growth that it starts looking scruffy and becomes harder to bring back to a clean line.

I trim this hedge using a combination of a long-reach petrol hedgecutter for the height and a standard hedgecutter for the sides and lower sections. Working at 4 metres means using a platform and taking extra care with positioning. I carry full public liability insurance, which matters on jobs where you are working at height and dealing with heavy, fast-growing conifers.

Leylandii hedges are common across Cornwall because they grow quickly and provide solid screening. The downside is that they do not stop growing, and if left too long they become a real problem. In exposed areas like Mount Hawke, which sits on higher ground between Redruth and the north coast, wind can push an untrimmed hedge out of shape. Regular trimming keeps the density even and prevents gaps forming in the lower growth.

This particular job takes around half a day. I shape the top for a level line, taper the sides so the lower sections get enough light to stay thick, and clean up all the clippings. Green waste is either taken away at £10 per dumpy bag or left for the homeowner to compost if they prefer. For a hedge of this size, the cost sits between £100 and £200 depending on access and how much growth has gone on since the last trim.

The twice-yearly routine keeps the hedge looking sharp without letting it get ahead of itself. The homeowner is happy because the boundary stays tidy and the neighbours are happy because the hedge is not creeping over their side. Leylandii hedge disputes are common enough in Cornwall, so keeping on top of it avoids problems down the line.