privet

[dennisb66]

My border privet is so wide it's difficult to reach right across it when cutting.Is it possible to cut along the full length down the centre thereby reducing the width by half,or would it destroy the whole privet.

[carlton23]

Yes, but it will take 2-3 years to look nice again. Plenty of compost dug in will help.

[boxtops]

You'd do better to reduce it on both sides to keep it evenly balanced - it's look very baldy for a while, but it'll bounce back eventually.

[Mosaic]

I find the best approach with privet is to coat liberally with root-out then after it's all died down plant something nice.

[AlBags]

Thin it well on each side now .. and reduce height if necessary.
It will shoot out like Common Box (Buxus Sempervirens) next year and maybe fill by late summer if lucky.

[dennisb66]

Thanks for your replies.

[modeller]

I found the best way to keep the appearance was after hard trimming to fold back a quarter of it , cut out the centre and let the folded bit go back.
If needed you can tie it back .
However your suggestion will work if you are only going to remove the branches. Privet will always recover . I've done what you suggest including the roots and most survived. Looks a mess but come next spring it will all grow out again.