Hedge Trimming

We'd thought the tall cypress trees growing alongside our property line were meant to grow tall since they're trees, but we've found out they need regular trimming and maintenance to stop them from thinning out down below and losing some of their screening properties. So, with our house having been empty and unmaintained for 2 years before we moved in, some radical trimming was needed. We've also had to wait till hedge-trimming season, September through February, when nesting birds won't be disturbed.

A hedge trimmer, though useful, wasn't enough. Dale had to use his chainsaw to get through the thick trunks. Here he is on the footpath side of the cypress trees, cutting our screen into a hedge, which is still tall enough to block our property from view to passersby.

It's been my job to clear the cuttings from the footpath, and not get downed by a tree at the same time. A few tops fell down into our yard as well and needed to be attended to.

Looking behind us, you can see how much we've done so far. The new, low 'hedge' is on the left of the photo below. We've completed probably 4/5 of the task, though we still have some neatening up to do where stray pieces have been missed. I've been leaving small fronds scattered along the footpath as it helps prevent slipping and skidding on the wet parts of the route.

After this years' effort, we plan on maintaining it regularly so it doesn't get out of control again. Next time around the hedge trimmer alone should suffice.