[JasonB]

I can definitely sympathise Gordon.

Our hedges had been neglected for a decade when we moved here. All the hawthorn, and blackthorn bushes were 5m tall trees. I get a bit chopped back each winter, but it's hard work.

We've got some laurel too, and it's an absolute thug. Fortunately ours is kind of hidden away, so it only needs cutting back every now and again. I wouldn't fancy a whole hedge full of the stuff.