I have a 24-foot long and overtall conifer hedge that needs at least to be trimmed. I would not have planted it myself, but it came with the house and does a job: it means that I can look out my window to the garden without people looking in, and it seems to be providing some sort of cover.
Would I gain an enormous amount if I had it torn down and replanted with something more bird-friendly? I don't really want to wait too long for something to grow up, and I'm not keen on shrubs with prickles, which I know is the usual suggestion for better cover, but I'm open to being persuaded. My garden is in a housing estate, and the hedge (plus a sort of tall picket fence) lies between the garden and a road into the estate. Currently in my garden I have a reasonable selection of birds: last week I noted down Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Great Tit, Robin, Sparrow and even a single Long-Tailed Tit.
Would I gain an enormous amount if I had it torn down and replanted with something more bird-friendly? I don't really want to wait too long for something to grow up, and I'm not keen on shrubs with prickles, which I know is the usual suggestion for better cover, but I'm open to being persuaded. My garden is in a housing estate, and the hedge (plus a sort of tall picket fence) lies between the garden and a road into the estate. Currently in my garden I have a reasonable selection of birds: last week I noted down Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Great Tit, Robin, Sparrow and even a single Long-Tailed Tit.