I would do it by degrees prune by one third along its length over the next 3 years. This way you wont shock it and wont be without your hedge, Also give it a good feed. Beware you may have birds nest in it?

Thanks, that sounds a good plan. Do you mean top and sides? I hope so 'cos that's what it needs.

im having a big stab in the dark here but im quite sure thats what drc726 means .

Note quite you need to rejuvenate a very old plant. So look at it in sections about every 3ft and prune it by about one third. In every 3-5 stems, cut out the oldest to just above the ground and also any dead wood. What you are left with take one third off the side and top also, then move the the next section and repeat. When you have done it once you will understand it. Dont forget a good feed of fish and bone meal.

ow thanks for putting me right drc726 and sorry i will have to turn the light on before stabbing from now on .

This is only what I would do NP, others may well do it differently?

sounds good to me but there is more than one way of skinning a cat .

Many thanks drc726. Very clear advice, just what I needed thank you.
It's going to be a long job but well worth it in a few years - and we'll be able to get to some nasty prickly weeds that are being a pain.
Thanks again.
Julia

very clear and you get it all sorted but dont loose any benefits .

Hi Seabird it will be worth it, when I did my hedge (about 1987) which had been planted in 1930's.It thicken out and looked lovely. While doing it I found all sorts of things including several cider bottles! But best of all I found a length of original downpipe that was missing from the front of the house and an cast iron footscraper.

wow digging up the past i just hope its all good past like drc sais lol .

We've done what you suggested Drc726. We couldn't believe amount of dead we found and all those tangles of long thin stems! No treasures though, nothing could get in there!
It certainly looks better although a bit holey in places. We are hoping the extra light in the middle will help the new shoots to be stronger. It's going to look much happier later in the year.
Many thanks again, a job well done. Isn't it satisfying?

I am glad to hear it went well Seabird.

me to as it goes i love it when a plan comes together i feal a pat on the back for you is in order drc726

Thats sweet NP, having done this, I enjoyed the results every spring till we moved.

credit wear its dew drc 726
now your either gay saying im sweet saying that which is fine or your not the man i thaught you used to be lol .

I am a lady! my name is Denise NP Lol

ow i am very sorry my apolagis my love xx

Quite ok NP

thanx for that xx