Often yes — and then you find out what state the fence is in, which is usually the more interesting question.
On species that regrow from old wood, yes — a hedge can usually be cut back to the fence line. On conifers that have grown past their green, no.
The important part is what happens next. A fence that has been inside a hedge for years is frequently in poor condition, and the moment it is exposed is the moment to deal with it.
| Hedge | Cut back to the fence? |
|---|---|
| Privet | Yes — very forgiving |
| Yew | Yes |
| Laurel | Yes |
| Beech and hornbeam | Yes, better staged |
| Hawthorn and blackthorn | Yes |
| Holly | Yes, slowly |
| Leylandii and cypress | Only if green growth reaches that far in |
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Worth establishing before cutting. The hedge and the fence may not belong to the same party, and the hedge may sit on one side of the boundary with the fence on the other. Check the title plan for T-marks rather than assuming, talk to the neighbour before exposing or replacing anything, and remember that growth crossing onto your side may generally be cut back to the boundary — but the cuttings remain the owner's. This is general information rather than legal advice.
See what our hedge maintenance service covers in Hanham, or read more about the service across the areas we work in.
On species that regrow from old wood — privet, yew, laurel, beech, hawthorn — usually yes. Conifers can only be cut back as far as green growth reaches.
Often poor. A fence inside a hedge has been kept permanently damp for years, so posts rot at ground level, panels soften and fixings corrode.
Usually. The line is accessible for the first time in years, one set-up covers both jobs, and the waste leaves together. In three years the hedge has closed over again.
On forgiving species, yes, though the cut face will be bare for a season. Conifers cut past their green will not.
Often not. It is worth deciding which you actually want rather than maintaining both.
Leave a gap for airflow where you can, keep the base clear of soil and leaf litter, use gravel boards, and cut the hedge face annually.
Check the title plan for T-marks rather than assuming. The hedge and the fence may not even belong to the same party.
You may generally cut growth crossing onto your side back to the boundary, but not beyond, and the cuttings remain theirs.
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