How to make a taper cut

Privet needs a taper cut

The reason why the privet or privet hedge bald is almost always due to insufficient light. The higher and denser the shrub grows, the less often daylight reaches the lower shrub regions. However, the privet needs light to form new shoots and leaves.

In order for the lighting conditions to improve, you should taper the privet in this case. How to make a taper cut.

• Rejuvenating pruning in spring
• Shorten the height of the privet considerably
• Cut the sides of the hedge on stick
• choose a conical shape

The best time for the taper cut

The best time to rejuvenate a privet is early spring. The shrub then sprouts particularly vigorously.

In addition, you should only prune back hedges very heavily in spring or autumn, otherwise breeding birds would be disturbed.

Cut privet on stick

To rejuvenate, cut privet back into the old wood. That means you have it in the height Shorten by one to two thirds. You can cut the side shoots back to the trunk. However, you should leave small pieces of shoots of about three cm so that the privet can branch well.

In spring, the new shoots begin, so that the privet quickly forms new shoots and leaves that the hedge again tight do.

So that the privet has enough strength for the formation of leaves and shoots, you should water it well after cutting and fertilize.

Do not trim hedges straight

To prevent the privet hedge from balding, you should never cut the shrub completely straight. A conical shape is best. This also gives a higher privet hedge in the lower regions more light.

Privet hedges need to be pruned three times a year to begin with and later twice a year. Only then will the hedge stay nice and tight.