cutting tops of conifers

[singaporeok]

I have a tall hedge of conifers down one side of my garden. I want to cut about three feet of the top of these and want to know the best time of year to do this. Bearing in mind, I think we have about three lots of birds nesting in these conifers every year who produce young ones every Spring/Summer and I wouldn't want to destroy their homes, or their shelter during the winter. The conifers are getting too tall now and certainly need pruning. Hope you can help.

[Thunderbird+]

Hi singaporeok,
Bearing in mind your concern for the birds, I think autumn would cause the least disruption.
september is generally a safe time to prune, as nesting should have finnished by this time and shelter is not as important as it would be for them during the winter.
Good Luck. Tbird+

[theonlyone]

September /October is the time to cut hedges /conifers as they have departed but will be back , have to look after the wildlife
as waking up to a bird singing is ace !!