Trimming a hedge across a moat

Hi all

How would you trim a hedge across an expanse of 15-18ft of water?

Standing on the bank, to reach across? Or would you go for a boat option? Waders aren't an option as the water is too deep. Also can't reach it from the other side down.

Suggestions?

Cheers

Re: Trimming a hedge across a moat

Reply from June Pearce

Hi

Hedges Direct here. This sounds like an amazing challenge and we've had a chat in the office to come up with a suggestion. We thought the boat option sounds a bit dangerous.

Depending on the depth of the moat, and the stability of the bottom of the moat, we suggest tall ladders held for safety by someone in a rowing boat at each end so the person cutting the hedge can climb down into the boat at intervals.

Or two sets of tall ladders with a plank in between to give a longer length for trimming before the person trimming needs to come down into the boat again.

And to state the obvious, don't use electric trimmers just in case.

We would love a photograph of the trimming in action for our blog!

Re: Trimming a hedge across a moat

Reply from ELAINE HUTSON

This sounds like a challenge. Does the expanse of water belong to you, is it used as a travel mode? Since we are throwing out solutions, I wondered if there was any way that you could build a stack of flat stones up to the surface and then use a plank across, much like a scaffolding

Re: Re: Trimming a hedge across a moat

Reply from Jan Torrance

Hi both

This is for a client so there's free range. Not able to put stones in the water - I had thought of a bank of rock cages setup as a permanent under water platform to strim the hedge. I might look into that option in more detail if no other options crop up but it would obviously be more expensive to setup initially.

Ladders in the water aren't an option as the bottom is not secure enough - it's a listed moat so has been around for a long time but the hedge was installed more recently - before I became involved with the gardens. Sadly consideration of trimming was not thought of clearly!!!

I'm there next week so I'll take some pictures and let's see if we can figure out a plan ;)

Cheers, Jan

Re: Trimming a hedge across a moat

Reply from Courtyard Garden

Make a gate in the hedge and then work round cutting back the hedge to make a path and clearing the debris as you go.