Yew Hedges

[Bonzo 2000]

For the first time I need to trim a couple of old yew hedges at the house we moved into around 6 months ago. The yews are probably as old as the house, around 125 years and they have grown outward to the extent that they are blocking the path to the side. I am worried that if I trim too much on the sides, I will be left with ugly bald patches. If anyone has any hints or tips, I would be very grateful.

[Thunderbird+]

The yew, luckily for you is one of the few conifers that will sprout from old wood when pruned, so this should be no problem and any ugly bald patches shoud sprout new growth given time.
Its also one of the most popular trees for topiary or the art of tree sculpture, hopefully you will find this reassuring!
The best time to prune it would be any time between now til autumn.
The clippings should be desposed of sefely as they are poisonous to humans and animals. Good Luck T bird+

[Bonzo 2000]

Many thanks T-Bird - top answer. I'm afraid I've been well warned against any attempts at topiary by Mrs Bonzo, so it looks like we'll be back to the neat cubes that were originally there!