Cutting high sides of hedges (over 4m)

[Treeation]

So I am looking for an easier way to cut those out of reach bits of hedges we all know and hate! high sides which are just ouf reach from ladders and hedge trimmer and those tops that cant quite be reached in one sweep across. I currently use a hailo ladder and have a long reach stihl hedge cutter. I am in the process of quoting a 8m high leyland hedge. The gardener has cut to aorund 3-4m of the sides leaving an awkard remainder of 4m of high sides to trim. There is no access for cherry picker and limited scaffold access. I have used a stihl combi system with  the extension in but found it didnt cut that well and was effing heavy. The hedge is 41m long so I need the most efficient weay of dealing with the sides. Has anyone ever tried these fiscar hedge shears? I loathe to think of using my jameson pole pruners to complete the task and am looking for something more light weight and efficient to save time and exertion.

 http://www.fiskars.co.uk/products/gardening/tree-pruners

[Treeation]

this is best link for hedge shears

http://www.fiskars.co.uk/products/gardening/tree-pruners/universal-garden-hedge-shear-1001559

[Steve Bullman]

Sounds like options are limited somewhat!

 

how tall is your ladder?  I wouldn't want to be doing that much hedging with shears that's for sure 

[Mick Dempsey]

Sounds like a nightmare, are you sure you can't get a tracked cherry picker in? 

 

I simply wouldn't do it with those silly shears.

 

 

[Richard 1234]

I've just bought the stihl battery Hla 85 which extends to 3.4m I think. 

I would imagine it would just about reach with a decent ladder.

but would be hard work as it's heavy at full extension.

how did it get cut last time?

[Ty Korrigan]

How about approaching this differently.

Suggest to the client the impractical nature of the hedge.

Reduction instead of trying to trim.

Leaving it at a height the gardener can cope with with.

 Ty

 

[Treeation]

Havent looked into the tracked mewp otion but will do...I havent cut the hedge before....Some one topped it a few years ago but didnt do sides (conveninetly). The access to the hedge is good one side but the other side is a bit of nightmare with sculptures, higly prized plants, fruit cages etc (its a prestigous property!)

[Treeation]

3 minutes ago, Ty Korrigan said:

How about approaching this differently.

Suggest to the client the impractical nature of the hedge.

Reduction instead of trying to trim.

Leaving it at a height the gardener can cope with with.

 Ty

 

Thats a good idea Ty but they use the hedge for screening a property behind and the client is very particular,  (the garden is like nothing I have seen before) they have open exhibitions each year so you get the idea!

[Treeation]

My hailo ladders have a free standing height of 4.18m

[Richard 1234]

4 minutes ago, Treeation said:

My hailo ladders have a free standing height of 4.18m

It's the top that's going to be the issue then.

they will have to pay for some kind of access equipment if they want it looking good won't they!