Your decision to prune down that huge privet hedge put old memories in my mind. In the mid 50s a tornado in North Central Indiana, moved my uncles 3 story house 18 inches off its foundation and completely destroyed his privet hedge. It also ruined my aunt's just installed, extra special, lavender St. Charles kitchen. My uncle gutted the house and it was rebuilt as a two-family, two story house but what really impressed me was the patience my cousin had taking cuttings off the scattered remains of the privet so that by the time the house was rebuilt, a new hedge was also installed.

Wow!
Looking at the size of it, that will be a terrific chore! Man, oh, man!
So glad you are getting professional help.
I don't want you to die either. :)

~ Annie

That's encouraging grandmachris. Altho you wouldn't believe it looking at the first pic, the hedge still has very tall, healthy,and new growth vertical branches that still help to create the inner arch (on the other side). I know it will look horrible for awhile on that one side but it's necessary. The neighbors who have had to back out their drive very carefully and peer around it all these years will be happy! But they never were nasty about it, I was blessed in that way.

Ha, Annie. You know I'm itching to do it, but if they trim too much or incorrectly than I can blame them. :) As I said before, the one good thing is they will haul it all away. My brush pile could never handle it. One of my friends said it will probably only take them an hour, why are they charging so much? Well, it would have been cheaper if I had agreed to do the cleanup. The landscaper also offered to chip it all on site and spread it below and in front of the hedge for mulch; but that would cost more.

No one likes to spend that kind of money, but if not you might have had an injury which would cost you more, taken many weeks or months to complete the job with frustration in between, had to deal with all the brush, cut it small enough for several piles, or pay to haul it away, or do it yourself. Overall, I think the $400 will be money well spent. I hope they do it to your satisfaction.
Laurie (aka cheapskate)

The guys came this morning and are halfway through. They've taken two trailer loads of branches away so far. It's looking nice, kind of scary but I know it is the best thing to do.

Here is a link that might be useful: Privet Arch gets pruned

Uh 0h. Looks like the video isn't working now. Sorry. Will post photos later instead.

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Schoolhouse, that looks sensational! Are you feeling better about having it done now?

MeMo

MeMo - Yes I am, and I'm very happy with their work. They ended up taking out five trailer loads of branches and debris and cleaned up the entire area before they left. Even taking a leaf blower and clearing the road of leaves and bits. Now my Toro Zero Turn mower can go right along there instead of me having to use the walk behind mower and wrestle with branches sticking me in the head and leaving bruises on my arms. That green wire fence you see along the bottom was placed there in the very early years of growth to keep my dogs out of the road. Can't believe it's still intact. Debating whether or not to take the wire cutters and remove it, wouldn't be a hard job just take awhile.

I think it will green up fairly quickly. Now I wish I would have had them do the length in front of the courtyard garden but it would have meant more money. But after I saw how they did the cutting on the big one, I'm feeling confident I can prune back the smaller one.

Wow! That looks great! Neat and tidy job and all cleaned up.
So glad it (and you) won't die. ;)

They did a super good job, when it greens up it's going to look fabulous. I'm betting you'r doing the happy dance right about now :).

Annette

At present you can see right through to the orchard from the road, I sure hope it greens up, if not this summer, I'm sure it will next. Keeping my fingers crossed; and I doubt there will be any blooms this Spring.

This is the first time I've had anything done where the contractor listened to me and did exactly what I wanted. Depending upon how high their rates are, I might just ask them to return for the occasional trim in the coming years. I bet they charge a good bit tho. I was equally tickled that they hauled away two piles of branches I had cut back earlier and left inside the arch.

That looks terrific. So glad you are happy with it!

Wonderful improvement! Money well spent.

The pruning sure made a big difference. It looks great.