In the photo above, (click to see full size) you can clearly see the larger and smaller beech hedges that are in front of our house. They are taller than they look in this photo, which was taken after they had just been trimmed, in late 2013. From street level, they reach to about eight feet in height, and are considerably higher than that when fully grown before they need cutting. On the plus, side, this height is reduced when cutting the back, as the ground level in the front garden is some twelve inches higher.
I bought some very good clippers when I moved here, as I also had to tackle the huge rows of leylandii hedges at the back. Compared to those, the beech hedges at the front were a breeze, easily finished off in a morning or afternoon. But then I got vertigo a couple of years back. And then I got older of course. I could no longer cope with the ten-feet high leylandii, and had to pay someone to cut them earlier this year. But I was sure I could still deal with the beech hedges.
After deciding that they were unacceptably shabby, I made up my mnd to cut them this morning. It is a hot day, 27 C, so I took Ollie out early, just after nine. On our return, I got straight on with the beech hedges, sweeping up the mess as I went. After managing just one quarter, the first battery gave up. I put it on charge, and went on with the second battery. I was very hot, and finding it difficult to stay steady on top of the step ladder as I tried to get the straggly stems in the middle. After two hours, I swept up, and had a lunch break.
When I went back out, I decided to use a proper ladder to reach the top, and jammed it as hard as I could against the hedge. But is was very wobbly once I got up there, and I was having real difficulty keeping my balance and cutting at the same time. When the second battery went flat, I had at least finished the biggest hedge, and can do the small one easily tomorrow. Sweeping up and tidying the things away, it dawned on me that will be the last time I can safely cut these hedges.
As of next year, I am going to have to pay someone to do it.
Every year I gave worried when you tackled those hedges. I am glad that next year you can watch somebody else do it! You have a lovely place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Michele. I had to gracefully admit defeat. π
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
We gave ours up a few years ago for all the same reasons, then the cost to have it done became prohibitive. Black and Decker to the rescue! We found a long handled hedge trimmer that can handle 10 feet. Itβs lightweight, and the 20V battery pack is interchangeable with our other tools, so we never have a dead battery. The cost for the tool was less than the cost for having it done by someone else. Just some food for thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jennie. I have seen those extending hedge trimmers, and may well consider using one. π
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to help. Best to you, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
From your description, I’m afraid it wasn’t safe this year π But you managed to survive. Warmest regards, Theo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I survived long enough to realise I have to pay someone in future. π
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely hedges, Pete. Lovely house. I love the sharp peaked gabled roof.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just a loft up there, but good for storage. We are on one level, so no stairs to worry about. π
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we’ve talked about this before. When I was younger, I tried to do everything. Many times I accomplished the task, even if it took twice as long as it should have. Then there was the aggravation. At some point, I realized that I don’t mind paying people to do jobs that I find frustrating. Cross another one off the list, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least I am still able to mow the lawn. π
Thanks, Pete.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Know what ya mean, Pete. Gets harder to do physical labor every year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It hits me the next day, Peg. I can hardly move! π
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think thatβs a wise decision Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad, but have to face facts.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beech hedges are so lovely, especially so in the winter months, but I quite agree that maintaining things in the garden get harder with age. I need to do a lot of cutting back, but surfaces in this garden are not even so I’m a little nervous on a ladder. I’m thinking it may be time for me to get in a garden company to help with some of the more difficult jobs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I approached a man I saw cutting other hedges across the road. Just him and his van and tools, very approachable, and reasonable prices. He only does grass-cutting and hedge-cutting, no landscaping. I avoided using a local company wth nice sign-painted vans and logo polo shirts, as I was sure they would charge too much.
But like me, I don’t think you should be up a ladder cutting foliage any longer.
Best wishes, Pete. x
LikeLike
Good idea re the logos π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, there comes a time to let go of the riskier chores… better to do so before an accident forces the issue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I was strangely nervous at the top of the ladder today, even though any fall would have been quite a short drop. π
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bob still gets up on a ladder now and then to do odds and ends around the house and I am always trying to discourage it. It’s simply not worth the risk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have a really wonderful property, Pete! But with some many hedge indeed a lot of regularely work. A good choice giving the work away. Here in our small garden we now let the wilderness be itself. Lol I only twice every summer mowing the grass. With an old big skyte, i got from my grandfather.Believe me every time i can see the fear in the eyes of our neighbout. Lol MIchael
LikeLiked by 1 person
You still use a scythe! That really is hard work. I have an electric hover-mower. π
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
I’ve been saying and been hearing that last line from and the better-half more and more lately!
LikeLiked by 1 person
oops – from ME and the better-half. I really do have to check over my comments better before I hit ‘Send’.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, GP. Yet another thing we have in common. π
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
π
LikeLike
Smart plant, Pete, it’s not worth a cracked noggin. Your yard looks lovely, though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That should be smart plan- where’s the White-out when you need it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s just the front, Jacquie, the back is much nicer.:)
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a lovely yard. I love the brickwork, it’s warm and inviting.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much. It suits us two perfectly. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are difficult but necessary conclusions in life, be safe, hire someone, itβs not worth taking a nasty fall! C
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true, Cheryl. Next time, a younger man will be engaged for the job. π
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stay safe. I fell off a ladder a couple of months ago when one leg fell into an unknown gopher hole. No more ladders for me now.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I came off a ladder cutting the bigger hedges at the back. Fortunately, I fell onto a deep pile of clippings. That was when I decided to pay someone to cut them. π
Thanks, Lauren.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
the hedges are lovely and keep you privacy! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do ensure privacy, Wilma. They are also home to lots of birds, so I hope they come back after I had to disturb them today.
Best wishes Pete.
LikeLike
Trimming low hedges in the chilly U.K. is a piece of cake compared to trimming 30-foot palm trees with an extendable pole saw from atop a versa ladder in the desert heat. I’ll eventually have to pay someone to do this job for me, but it’s expensive, so I’ll have to wait until after the house is paid off in January 2023.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You be careful with those palm trees, David!
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m quite ‘frond’ of them, but they are definitely hazardous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
π π
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am old as well and I pay someone to do the tough stuff…..it is a rite of passage into old age…LOL chuq
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just as well I can afford to pay someone next time, or we would be living behind a 20-foot hedge!
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You stay safe, Pete
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sue. Cutting it is bad enough, but feeling completely exhausted after an ‘easy’ job on a very hot day is something I can do without.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely
LikeLiked by 1 person
You hedge looks pretty! There is no shame in admitting you can’t do certain things now. Aging isn’t something to be ashamed of. The good part is do it gracefully, without falling off a ladder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Shaily. I will be paying the hedge-cutting man next year. π
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Luckily, we don’t have a hedge here. But the, your hedge looks beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It gives us complete privacy from the street, Pit. Not that it’s a busy road, but it’s still nice that nobody can look into the house as they walk by.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s definitely time to stop climbing ladders to clip the hedges. Can’t believe the temperature you have down there. It’s barely 15 C here. I have on a big winter jumper, my sister put her heating on earlier and I think I’ll do the same here. ‘They’ say tomorrow will be nice – but only for one day. And no prospect of heading off anywhere for some sun π¦
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, it’s baking hot here today, and forecast to hit 31 C tomorrow. But then that’s it for a while. 19C Saturday and Sunday, with a ‘chance of rain’. More rain next week, with temps ranging from 16-20 C. I didn’t want to do hedge cutting in such hot weather, but I can’t cut wet hedges after rain, so had to just do it. Just ironed six shirts, and I’m completely worn out . π
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just rest tomorrow in the shade and admire your handiwork.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Got to finish the little one tomorrow, but I will do it early! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Phil still is determined to do our leylandii and trim our trees, I keep telling him to get a man in! π but he will hold out as long as possible. Well done for getting this far Pete, now time to rest up and let a professional at it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, FR. I would do it if I could, and hate to admit failure at such an ‘easy’ job. But wobbling around on a ladder with hedge cutters is not a sensible plan.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Definitely not
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have a huge serpentine hedge running the length of our front garden, with Leylandii trees behind. Sam keeps them all very neat, but we realise that in years to come he might not be able to do it. When he retires in 7 years’ time we’re out of here and in a low maintenance bungalow if we can find one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our bungalow is supposedly low maintenance, but I find pretty much everything harder now. π¦
It comes on quite suddenly, unfortunately.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Cheers for that, Pete!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry! you will probably be olay. You are both a lot fitter than me to start with.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The body wins out in the end. Happens to us all.
LikeLiked by 1 person