Pruning a laurel hedge

I think my OH has pruned ours a little excessively and where there was lower branches/foliage there's now only wood . The leafy bits are on top. Will the hedge re-grow lower branches in time or are we doomed to a top heavy hedge?

Hi LS, I'm afraid I'm not really an expert on laurels, but if you're fed up with looking at a naked hedge, how about growing some climbers into it to fill-up the gaps (how about a lovely honeysuckle ) Then if you realise that it's not going to recover, you could replace it over the winter (it's not really hedge-planting time now anyway)

Good luck!

my OH did that earlier this year. I would say hang on in there, after a couple of weeks you should see new growth. If you them keep pruning back the stuff on top, it should encourage growth at the bottom. Hopefully............ What is it with some men and pruning????? My OH massacred our garden shrubs not long ago...

Thanks Duboing and Ramble - I knew I'd get some advice here .

My OH is great at chopping down - even better with an axe.

A couple of years ago I asked OH to prune my laurel instead he took it all out as said it was easier - this was what I wanted but didn't dare suggest it as he would have said no too much work

Sue

It will recover but it's going to take time. As ramble has already posted, keep pruning the top which should force growth from underneath.

My OH is the same. I went to cut back some shrubs by the stables that had got a bit overgrown, and out he came with a pair of tree loppers and promptly gave them a short back and sides

They are recovering, but slowly. I don't think they've gotten over the shock yet

Thanks Corrie

My OH is the same....give him an axe...which of course he HAS to use, because apparently it's easier. Don't see that myself!!!!!!

Axe..? Lucky you, Chris has a chainsaw!