Hedge Maintenance in Horam

Hedge maintenance in Horam covers more varied ground than a town job does. The village runs along the A267 with farmland on either side, so alongside garden hedges we cut long roadside hedgerows, field boundaries, and the mixed native hedges backing onto the Cuckoo Trail. Our hedge maintenance covers all of it, and we work throughout Horam and out to Waldron, Maynards Green, Vines Cross, Cross in Hand, and Hellingly. What follows explains how the ground here and the type of hedge you have change the work.

Clay Ground and Strong Summer Growth

Horam sits on the shoulder between the High Weald and the Low Weald clay vales, and on the clay ground the difference shows in how fast a hedge grows. Ground that holds moisture keeps a hedge growing hard right through the summer, and the heavy clay soils Natural England associates with the Low Weald do exactly that. A hedge on that ground rarely runs short of water through an ordinary Sussex summer, and it puts on a lot of growth between spring and August.

The practical upshot is that a hedge left for two seasons here is usually out of shape rather than merely untidy, and the quick growers make the point loudest. Privet, leylandii, and laurel will often want more than one cut a year to stay where you put them, while beech, hornbeam, and yew are generally content with a single annual cut.

Roadside and Field Boundary Hedges

A farm or roadside hedge is a different job from a garden hedge and wants a different result. On a roadside the priority is sightlines and keeping growth off the carriageway and the verge. On a field boundary the aim is a hedge that is thick and stock-proof right down to the base, which matters far more than a crisp top. Both are usually cut over a long run in one pass with the right machine for the length, and we price that by the metre rather than by the hour. It is a side of hedge maintenance in Horam that a lot of contractors will not take on.

If you farm here and your hedge cutting sits inside an agricultural or environmental scheme, there may be dates and conditions attached to it. Tell us what applies and we will work to them rather than to our own diary.

Hedges Backing the Cuckoo Trail

The Cuckoo Trail runs through the village along the old railway line, twelve miles of surfaced all-weather path between Polegate and Heathfield. A lot of gardens and paddocks along it are bounded by hedge, and cutting one of those needs a bit of thought. The far face still has to be done, cuttings cannot be left lying on the path, and there are walkers, cyclists, riders and wheelchair users going past while we work. We clear as we go and keep the route passable.

The Hedges We Actually Cut Here

Out along the lanes you get the classic Weald hedgerow: hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, field maple, dog rose, and holly, very often with a mature oak standing in the line. Those want managing so they stay thick from the bottom upwards, and they are worth the care because a good deal of the local wildlife lives in them.

Garden work is the other half of hedge maintenance in Horam, and in the village itself it is the familiar mix. Privet, beech, hornbeam, and box out front, with leylandii and laurel on the newer plots where people wanted screening in a hurry and now want it kept in check. Conifers are the ones that catch people out, because leylandii will not reshoot from old brown wood, so there is a firm limit to how far the sides can be taken back. We will tell you what is achievable before we start rather than after.

Timing Is Not Just Preference

There is law behind the timing. As the Sussex Wildlife Trust sets out, it is a criminal offence, with certain exceptions, to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built, and the main nesting season covers March to August inclusive. We keep heavier cutting clear of that window and check a hedge over before starting whatever the date. Reductions and renovation belong in the dormant months between October and March, when a hedge can take a harder cut and has the whole spring to answer it. A light tidy suits late summer onwards.

Get in Touch

Some customers here have us in twice a year for the fast growers and never think about it again. Others want a one-off when a hedge has got away from them. Either suits us. For hedge maintenance in Horam, get in touch and we will come out, look at what you have got, and give you a free no-obligation price. Call us on 0771 569 5330.

Overgrown Hedges, and What Can Be Brought Back

A hedge that has been left for years is usually recoverable, though not always in one go. Where it has gone thin and leggy at the base with all the growth up top, the fix is staged renovation over two or three dormant seasons, taking one side or one section at a time so the plant always has enough leaf left to recover. Cutting the lot hard in one visit is how people kill a hedge they were trying to save, so staged hedge maintenance in Horam is nearly always the safer route.

Where a hedge really is finished, or you simply want it gone, we can take it out, grind the stump out where needed, and put in something better suited if you want. We clear up thoroughly and take all the cuttings away, which on a long rural hedge is a fair volume.

Qualified, Insured, and Local to the Weald

Troy Mallyon set the business up over seven years ago and still runs the jobs himself. He holds NPTC qualifications taken at Plumpton College, the team is trained for the work they do, and we are fully insured for all hedge and tree work. Horam has been on our round for years, and the same crew that cuts a garden hedge in the village handles the field boundaries out towards Vines Cross. You can see our team before you book.

Where We Work

Horam is on our regular run, and we cover the villages and towns around it: Heathfield, Hailsham, Uckfield, Mayfield, Pevensey, Seaford, Bexhill, Hastings, Crowborough, and Eastbourne, plus hedge cutting across East Sussex.

Hedges are only one part of it. Customers here also book us for stump grinding in the village, garden clearances, tree maintenance, firewood, woodland and grounds maintenance, dead wooding and remedial work, tree and hedge planting, tree felling and removal, and a 24-hour emergency callout after a gale, and we advise on TPOs and conservation areas where a tree is protected. There is more on our tree maintenance in Horam page too. Whether you have ten metres of privet or half a mile of field boundary, hedge maintenance in Horam is carried out by the same team to the same standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

GOOGLE REVIEWS

    
 
 
        
   Julie Todd 
 2024-02-13
 
 
  As soon as troy stepped foot into our house
He had the job
He was professional knew exactly what he talking about.
They did a fabulous job
They went above and beyond .
  
 
       
   Kay Stobbart 
 2024-02-03
 
 
  We can not praise and recommend Troy and his colleagues enough.
Troy came  round to have a look at the work we required, we received a quotation after a few days and were fortunate to have the work completed the following week. The chaps worked hard and quickly all day. Within three days are old hedge was out, roots removed and new fencing in! Fantastic job, and we are thrilled with the fence. Lots of good comments by passers-by.
  
 
       
   Tash Miller 
 2023-11-24
 
 
  A brilliant job from Troy and his team. We had good communication from Troy who gave us a realistic idea of what his team could do for us. His team were very friendly and efficient and we are very happy with the results. Highly recommend!
  
 
       
   Karen Wilkinson 
 2023-11-12
 
 
  Another 5 star job by Troy and his team. This is the second time we have used this company in recent weeks and a first class service delivered once more! Thank you.
Punctual, professional and tidy with very reasonable rates.
I can recommend with confidence.
  
 
       
   Gary Prodger 
 2023-04-26
 
 
  Troy and his team have carried out several jobs for me cutting back and shaping two large trees at the front of my property, cutting the hedges around my garden and various other jobs he and his team have always been very professional,clean and tidy I would highly recommend him and his team.
  
 
       
   Fatima Gaffar 
 2022-11-16
 
 
  Excellent work, really impressed with Troy’s communication and he did a fantastic job at a very fair price. Troy sent us before and after pictures as we do not live in the area where the tree work needed to be carried out and this gave us reassurance. He took all the rubbish away and left the area immaculate.
  
 
       
   Stella Newton 
 2022-07-21
 
 
  I used Troy’s company  for a stump grinding and some limb removal of another tree. All work was carried out efficiently and tidily and  I was very pleased with the results.  Troy was very punctual on the day the work was done and the day he attended to give me a quote ( something that rarely happens these days and was greatly appreciated.) Troy and his staff were very polite and friendly and respectful of my property. I would use them again and can definitely recommend them.
  
 
  
  
 
 
   Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 22 reviews

How often does a hedge here need cutting?

Most hedges in and around Horam do well on one or two cuts a year. The clay ground holds moisture and pushes strong growth through the summer, so quick growers like privet, leylandii, and laurel often want two. Beech, hornbeam, and yew are usually fine with a single annual cut.

Can you cut my hedge in spring or summer?

A light trim, often yes, but it depends on what is nesting in it. It is a criminal offence to damage or destroy an active nest, and the main season runs March to August, so we check a hedge over first and will say no if there is a nest in there. Reductions and renovation we keep for the dormant months anyway.

Do you cut farm hedges and long roadside hedgerows?

Yes, and a fair bit of our work around Horam is exactly that. Field boundaries and roadside hedgerows are cut over a long run rather than shaped like a garden hedge, and we price them by the metre. If your cutting falls under an agricultural or environmental scheme with dates attached, tell us and we will work to those.

My leylandii has got too tall. Can it be cut back?

The height can come down, and we reduce overgrown conifers regularly. The catch is the sides: leylandii will not reshoot from old brown wood, so once you cut back past the green there is nothing to regrow and you are left with brown face. We will show you where that line sits on your hedge before we cut anything.

Do you take the cuttings away?

Yes, it is included. We clear up thoroughly and take all the arisings with us, which on a long rural hedge is a considerable amount of material. If you would rather keep some chip for mulch, say so and we will leave it stacked where you want it.

CASE STUDY

Crown Reduction and New Fencing in Eastbourne
Troy’s Tree & Hedge Services carried out a crown reduction on a Robinia and replaced every fence line at a property in Eastbourne, fitting closed board fencing to six boundaries along with a new front garden gate and a double gate for vehicle access, working around a gas pipe and a fibre cable throughout.
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WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

Troy and his colleague did an absolutely amazing job cutting down an old conifer that had just taken over the garden . He also cleared Ivy from my garage that was taking over the whole roof . I cannot rate him highly enough for his friendly manner , reasonable rates and the clearing up afterwards was better than when he found it! Thank you Troy !!
Aimee Harman
I wouldn’t use anyone else now, and would not hesitate recommending Troy; prompt in returning enquires, quoted a more than reasonable price as well as knowledgeable in his work. Very polite and personable, worked quickly and professionally, thank you, a very happy customer.
Sarah Abell

If I’m not up a tree, I’m eager to chat!

Ready for healthier, happier trees? Let’s chat about how our expert team can help. Whether it’s care, maintenance, or anything else, we’re here to help.

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