Privet Hedge dieing

sam.smith69zQ-JFpka

I have a privet hedge which I planted around 4 years ago. The hedge established well but I have lost a plant or two every year. This year I’ve lost 4 from which are in a 6 foot length. 

The plants seem to have had a lot of growth   High up and not a lot below and then died. 

Does anyone have any tips on how to prevent losing plants each year? 

I’m removing the dead plants and replacing them. 

sam.smith69zQ-JFpka

sam.smith69zQ-JFpka

Sorry for the photos being sideways. I’ve posted this from my phone and can’t change it. 

Lyn

Privet like laurel need to have constant pruning on planting, when young,  it’s a slow process growing a nice thick hedge,
I would suggest when this cold spells over  cutting them down by at least half, they should then thicken out at the bottom,  then do that regularly until the bottom is very thick and closed in, then let them grow up a bit, then give a good prune back.  Let them grow tall gradually. 

sam.smith69zQ-JFpka

Thanks for this. The garden centre only told me to take a couple of inches off. To be fair the outside of the hedge looks quiet full but the inside plants aren’t so full but there was a trampoline in the way for the first 2 years. 

I’ll give it a go. 

Should I prune it back now as it’s started to bud?

sam.smith69zQ-JFpka

Lyn

I would give it a week or two, wait for the cold snap to be over.