Trimming mature hedges

Regain some density
You moved into a new house and the previous owner did not maintain the hedge? It therefore seems unsightly to you and you feel like tearing everything out. Wait a minute.
First, what is hiding behind this hedge? Are you ready to see the back of your neighbor’s bare shed? Second, the costs associated with the stump removal of a mature hedge are non-negligible.
In some cases, and with patience, a neglected hedge can become dense again if carefully trimmed, in the green foliage, on an annual and even biannual basis. This is an exercise that can take up to 5 to 6 years but can be worth it! Knowing that cedars grow in height about 12 in (30 cm) per year, think about how many years it will take for a new hedge to reach maturity and provide the desired privacy.
The cedar growth period starts in the middle of spring and ends around the beginning of July. Although for several years, we have observed on the field an elongation of the growing period until the beginning of August, since the seasons in Quebec are a little staggered with climate change. Thus, we can say that in July the annual shoot is completely out. Cedar being a conifer, the foliage grows on the young stems. It is this little shoot that must be cut every year to obtain a beautiful, dense cedar wall. By trimming the cedar regularly, the new cedar will fill in the gaps left through the larger interior branches.
In summary, consistency and patience can overcome a poorly maintained hedge in the past. Similarly, by always cutting the hedge at the same time each year, between April and mid-November, the hedge will not be allowed to grow beyond the maintenance performed.
What to do with the bare bottom of a hedge left to fend for itself?
The cedar, real name thuja occidentalis, is a conifer, and like most conifers, will not grow back if it has thinned out over the years or if it has been cut too severely on the sides into the wood. Thus, it is possible to come and plant leafy shrubs or little cedar balls that will make the base more pleasing to the eye.

What about young hedges?
Despite everything, you have chosen to plant a new hedge. It is therefore recommended to wait one to two years after plantation before performing the first trim on the sides, if you wish to let it grow in height. The trimming must then be light and constant so as to close the spaces between the cedars and form the hedge wall.
After planting, it will be necessary to water the new hedge well, to protect it from extreme cold and you could also add a fertilizer specially designed for hedges and shrubs to give it a boost to survive the transplant.
