The privet is a very fast-growing shrub that copes well with almost all location and soil conditions. However, it often happens that the privet hedge becomes bare at the bottom. Then it's time to do a rejuvenation cut.
How to perform a privet rejuvenation pruning?
A privet rejuvenation cut should be carried out in spring. Cut the height of the bush back by one to two thirds and the side shoots down to the trunk, but leave around three cm of shoot pieces. Look for a conical shape for better lighting conditions.
Privet needs a rejuvenation cut
The reason why the privet or privet hedge goes bald is almost always due to too little light. The higher and denser the bush grows, the less daylight reaches the lower parts of the bush. But the privet needs light to form new shoots and leaves.
In order to improve the lighting conditions, you should rejuvenate the privet in this case. How to do a rejuvenation cut.
- Rejuvenation pruning in spring
- Severely shorten the height of privet
- Cut the sides of the hedge to stick
- choose conical shape
The best time for a rejuvenation cut
The best time to rejuvenate a privet is early spring. The bush then sprouts again particularly vigorously.
In addition, you may only cut back hedges very heavily in spring or autumn, otherwise breeding birds would be disturbed.
Cut privet on stick
To rejuvenate, cut privet back to the old wood. This means that you shorten it in height by one to two thirds. You can cut the side shoots back to the trunk. However, you should leave small pieces of shoots of around three cm so that the privet can branch out easily.
New growth begins in spring, so that the privet quickly forms new shoots and leaves that make the hedge tight again.
So that the privet has enough strength to form leaves and shoots, you should water and fertilize it well after cutting.
Do not trim hedges straight
To prevent the privet hedge from becoming bald, you should never cut the shrub completely straight. A conical shape is the cheapest. This means that a taller privet hedge in the lower regions also gets more light.
Privet hedges initially have to be trimmed three times a year and later twice a year. Only then will the hedge stay nice and tight.
Tip
If the privet does not grow properly, it is usually due to a location that is too shady. Soil moisture also plays a role.