Prune your hedge so the top is narrower than the bottom.

Jun 26, At that time, start at the base of the plant by removing the lateral branches growing from trunk(s). Continue removing branches until you've reached the desired height and are satisfied with the appearance. Before making your cuts, make sure that the removal of. Apr 12, The first step in privet hedge pruning is to trim out crossing branches. You’ll also want to keep cutting back privet to remove damaged or dead branches.

Remove them at their base with loppers.

Once you finish this, remove several large branches from the inside of each shrub Estimated Reading Time: 2 mins. Privets will tolerate severe pruning, back to several inches above ground level. Be aware that plants often produce overly long stems after this type of severe pruning. Consider renewal pruning now and in the future. It is less stressful on the plant, encourages thicker growth at the base of the plant and eliminates the need for a total overhaul. Aug 28, Privet is tough as old boots and can definitely tolerate hard pruning.

Ideally cut back one side of the hedge one year, then the other side one or two years later to retain the screening effect and give the plant the best chance of recovery. Hard pruning is best done at the end of winter so you’re not looking at an unsightly hedge for too long, or disturbing nesting birds. Apr 20, To thin a dense shrub, prune up to one-third of its side branches where they connect to the main stem. If it’s a multi-stem shrub, prune out the branches at ground treeclear.barted Reading Time: 5 mins.

Nov 28, Pruning them back 6 to 8 inches from the ground in early spring as new growth begins promotes branching at the base of the plant and encourages root growth to help new privet shrubs.