Pruning hornbeam hedge

All4Seasons

Any advice very welcome. I planted bareroot hornbeam hedge February 2015. Cut back by a third at that time. It's doing great but I'm confused about what to do to prune it now. It's about 3 foot tall, double rowed. Do I need do leave leading stem to get height or just prune back all stems. I'm happy to wait for better hedge and cut back hard  if it needs that. 

thanks in advance. 

Dovefromabove

I would shorten the side shoots - the long ones by one third and the shorter ones just tip.  I don't think I'd reduce the height.  It should normally be done in August, but I'd do it now as you've not done it.

That's going to look fabulous in a few years' time. 

Fairygirl

Hornbeam is my favourite hedge of all. It's looking good so I'd just tidy, as Dove says. Secateurs are more useful than anything when hedges are young.

Hornbeam likes a fair bit of water, so keep the grass well defined and also well clear of your hedge, so that there's less competition there,  and giving the hedge a feed and mulch in spring is also useful for another year or two. 

All4Seasons

Thanks Dove and Fairy. I've given it a haircut.  Aim to keep to schedule but had a baby 3 months ago and garden taken a bit of a back seat. 

Dovefromabove

Congratulations on the baby