I am drowning in prunings, tripping over the stuff every time I try to hang out the washing, and still I have yet to make even a dent in the hedge. If I were a different person I would either get someone else to do it, or at least buy myself the mother of all hedge trimmers and make light work of it all.
But I am not that person. I am one who has a deep, and perhaps deeply un-lesbian, distrust of power tools. I just don’t like how fast they go. Thus, my only option is to spend the winter going at it bit by bit, by hand, until one day we can all see the light through the tangle of branches.
I already own a Wolf-Garten multi-change tool with a telescopic handle that can reach up to three metres. I’ve got two heads for it: the adjustable anvil tree lopper that cuts through branches up to 40mm in diameter as if they are made of butter; and the professional pruning saw, which rips through anything big with such ease it is slightly terrifying. I can’t recommend these tools highly enough if you’ve got tall things to prune and no space or budget for a serious tripod ladder.
You can also, if you have massive hands, take the pruning saw off and use it as a hand saw. If you don’t, I recommend the Silky Natanoko pruning saw from Japan, partly because its handle is smaller and made of rubber. This is a fixed-blade saw with coarse teeth, perfect for fresh wood.
Like all Japanese saws, it cuts on the pull, which means it’s less effort, but you must make sure it doesn’t bend as you cut, otherwise it is liable to snap. If this does happen, at least you can replace the blades and, more importantly, you can sharpen them too. It’s an investment, at more than £60, but should last a lifetime if looked after well. If that’s too much, a Z pruning saw with coarse serrations is a very reasonable second choice, costing just over £20.
On top of that you’ll need some loppers. I’ve tried many in my time and think most telescopic sorts are just not tough enough. Bypass loppers are great for smaller stuff (under 300mm diameter), but for bigger branches you need to buy the sturdiest anvil loppers you can find, such as a pair of Bulldog compound anvil lopping shears. Then put on a good podcast and get chopping.
And all those prunings? Make a deadhedge (a hedge-like collection of pruned branches) or just an artful pile with the bigger stuff, and let it slowly rot back. Dead wood is hugely important to beetles and other insects. The small stuff will rot quickly enough in the compost if it is added fresh.
