Berkshire, United Kingdom

My 8' tall climbing euonymous missed it's spring haircut due to nesting robins. Two broods later, one successful, one not, the bush is looking very bedraggled from all the bird comings and goings but also from being used as a climbing frame by a raiding cat. It has lost all the old leaves by the bucketload as usual but has also now lost a lot of the new growth. If I cut back now, will it get more new growth and how hard can I cut back as it is getting rather wide. I know it is quite tough but it hides some very unlovely brickwork so don't want to take chances. By the way the robins have seen sense and are now rebuilding in the conifer hedge!

• 1 Jun, 2009