The hedge monster

Category: Garden | Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 10:31 pm

When we moved in 12 years ago, the border hedge was three meters tall, that's nearly 10 foot. The neighbour wanted to trim it, so I asked him to start on his side, and I'd follow up on our side. Only thing was, we didn't have an electrical hedge trimmer, and the hedge is about 38-40 meters long, that's 41-43 yards. So I took what we had, a chain saw. Since I'm short, I had to lift it over my head in order to get the proper height. The cutting part was easy, I just walked slowly, chain saw above my head, all the way from one end to the other. The cleaning-up part was far worse! The hedge is a kind of Spirea that blooms white in spring and looks good when untrimmed with the hanging, blooming branches.

It's got lovely scent too. Right now we're arguing with the next-door neighbour about that hedge but I think I've told you all about that before. I just wanted to show the hedge. It starts where I'm standing and goes all the way to those tall trees in the distance.

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eileen wrote on Sat May 10, 2008 10:54 pm:

Droopy if I was your neighbour I'd have been fighting with you NOT to cut your hedge back. I think a spirea hedge is beautiful when it's in flower. I hope you get things sorted out with your neighbour and that you don't wake up with aches and pains after all that cutting and clearing up.

Netty wrote on Sun May 11, 2008 12:29 am:

That hedge is probably stunning when in full bloom!

glendann wrote on Sun May 11, 2008 2:54 am:

Heather had one of those I think .If not it sure looks like it and untrimmed its just gorgeous when in solid bloom.

Biita wrote on Sun May 11, 2008 3:05 am:

I don't think i would have the heart to cut it,, that is way to beautiful to even think about cutting! Careful with the chain saw,, i did that once and boy did i leave a huge "bald" spot on an azalea bush...lol.

Droopy wrote on Sun May 11, 2008 6:32 am:

It is best when untrimmed, and I want it tall too, about 3 meters/10 feet would be fine with me. But the neighbour wants it at 1,5 meters/5 feet and he wants it square, can you imagine! We need to trim it now and then because it grows very wide, but not every year. Two years ago the neighbour actually cut his half low and square, and we refused to do anything to our half. He was moaning all summer about how silly the hedge looked, and I just told him it looked fine from our side! *lol*

Sjoerd wrote on Mon May 12, 2008 12:49 am:

I support you 100%, Droopy. It is a gorgeous thing, and I agree that to trim it would be a shame. Some plants look better loosely drooping. I honestly can't imagine that hedge being neatlt trimmed into a box-fashion...but that;s just MY taste. I can understand that perhaps he may prefer it different, but that should not influence how you guys choose to leave it.
Ah well... thanks for showing this "monster hedge"--it truly is a long thing. I like it that the hedge's blooms are scented, that's an added bonus.

I don't think that I know anyone with a yard big enough to have such a long hedge. It's remarkable for Dutch standards. I like seeing it.

Droopy wrote on Mon May 12, 2008 6:46 am:

You're right, Sjoerd. Some hedges look good when strictly trimmed, but not this one. Since it's planted on the property border, we'll just have to agree on something. I guess we'll remove it altogether and plant something else in the end. Our yard is long and narrow, hence the length of that hedge.