Berkshire,
United Kingdom 
My garden has an evergreen hedge - spruce and similar. It's far to large - both height (4m) and width (3m), and I'd like to cut it back to something about 2.5m high x 1m wide. Can I do this successfully, and if not what would be the best way to replace it.
3 Jan, 2010
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The only trouble with cutting conifers is that they won't resprout from old wood (ie anything brown!). They should only be trimmed into the green needly/leafy parts. So, for drastic pruning I'm afraid that you will have to replace them. This will involve cutting them down, removing as much root as possible and improving the soil before replanting with something more suitable (and prune-able!). Can you afford to rent a mini digger? or have you gots lots of muscley friends!!
7 Jan, 2010