When do I trim a privet hedge?

[katoguy]

I planted a privet hedge in my front yard in May 2005 (bare root) and in my back yard in Sept 2005. The front hedge looks good. It took off well this year, but it has not filled out at the ground level.

When do I prune it to force the lower areas to fill up?

Thank you.

[LABS4ME]

Don't prune it now this late into the season. You will force out too much new growth that may not harden off before freeze-up. You can either dormant prune it (after the leaves fall off) or I'd wait until the new buds are pushing next spring and hit it then.

Good Luck!

Ken

[katoguy]

Thanks, Labs.