leylandi

[porride]

 I have planted leylandi trees at the bottom of my garden as a protection against a new housing project that is being built in a couple of years they are now about 6ft high I would like them to thicken out more and get more hedge like what is the best way to do this can you help?

                       Andrew.

[jake-the-peg]

Be careful about this at this if they over shadow another property such to affect the "reasonable enjoyment" of it - ie cut out the light you can be made to cut them down.

However this only applies to hedges i.e if the branches overlap.

You might be well advised to keep them trimmed so the branches *don't* thicken out to become a hedge as you will then not come under the law.

[lizzieoneill]

wait till early september then trim the tops off..by keeping them to about 6 foot which is within the law ..it will encourage them to spread sideways and thicken up into a hedge..if you let them get to tall its just hard work for you trimming them back all the time..if they are kept under control they make nice hedges..

[Cathyhuns]

The last post is correct. TRim them regularly and they will form a thick hedge and not upset the neighbours.

Also, if you want them to thicken up without the height being too much of an issue at the moment, trim the height below what you want them to end up at, so they sprout more at the bottom and let the grow upwards in later years.

You should trim the hedge twice a year to keep it thick and do not let it get too big/thick.  Leylandii only grow from the outside and old wood does not sprout so if it gets too big it cannot be brought back into line.