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  GORDON October 6, 2009 at 7:58pm

  Hi Kieran
  
  without doubt. On my website I advise against leaving leaves to decay on the lawn and drop the fact into conversations at this time of year. Most people are aware it is not good but you need to give them a nudge and let them know that you have the equipment and offer a clearing service. Same for clearing gutters, pressure washing patios and drives anything that helps get through the Autumn and Winter.
  Often customers ask what I do in the winter and I rattle a of a list, including decorating.
  I only ever have the odd day when I have no work and then I have the wife on my back to do some decorating about the house.
  
  Will be hedge cutting 75% of the time from the end of this month until December. And there will still be a few to do in the new year.
  
  Kieran
  Sorry, I read your post totally wrong . Please ignore what I said above.
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  Graeme @ BGS October 6, 2009 at 8:28pm

  Pro Gard said:

  I dont really think youll find there is a market for just leaf clerance for non regular clients .
  
  

  
  Once the oaks are down we get about 60% of our leaf clearance jobs from non regulars. I guess after they have filled 20 plastic sacks and havn't made any in-roads they give up!
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  Kieran Ray October 6, 2009 at 11:42pm

  I didnt think about pressure washing or gutter clearing! But hey money is money. I used to have a very small maintenance round ony a couple of days a week but gave it up to concentrate on construction, I am going to try and get it back as Im sure it can be done on a sat with a helping hand, I used to do it at weekends when I was at colege.
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  Lawncare-4u.co.uk October 7, 2009 at 9:41pm

  Permalink Reply by Pro Gard 1 day ago
  I get pleanty of winter hedge cuts, no problem as long as not leylandi and any leylandi obviusly booked for spring
  
  im guessing Leylandi should not be cut in the winter ? i think i heard this the other day !!
  
  please let me know the facts -
  
  Rob
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  Graeme @ BGS October 7, 2009 at 10:27pm

  It is important to ensure that leylandii hedges are trimmed once if not twice a year depending upon growth and client requirements..
  I usually do my clients every August and if required again in February (subject to weather conditions).
  To be fair you can trim at any time of year but not whilst birds are nesting (usually March and July). However there are various different schools of thought on as to when is the right time.
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  Kieran Ray October 7, 2009 at 11:51pm

  I beleved it was either if you use a flail cutter ( tractor mounted) or my other inturpertation was if the hedge was over 2 metres high. Iv never been too clear so just not cut then, I only cut decidious hedges from mid november only, and conifers from end of april to october unless as you say customers are to impatient.
  
  Pro Gard said:

  I don't personally apply the nesting rule apart from heavy topping. Most if not all nests are in the heart of the hedge and normal cutting doesn't disturb them.
  
  The rule legally aplies to agricultural hedges only so you are free to cut domestic hedges as long as you are not causing willful disturbance.
  
  This year I noticed blackbirds nesting in my own lelandi hedge by the drive I park my van, I first noticed they were feeding a couple of days after I had cut the hedge and they fledged successfully.
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  Gareth October 8, 2009 at 6:59am

  All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is an offence to “intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird whilst it is in use or being built”
  
  “intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the dependent young of such a bird”.
  
  Fines: The maximum penalty that can be imposed for an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act - in respect of a single bird, nest or egg - is a fine of up to £5,000, and/or six months' imprisonment. !!!!!!!
  
  Schedule 1 birds are rarer species, a list of which can be found on-line somewhere. Must admit I’ve never yet cut a hedge with an Avocet nesting in it!
  
  Might be worth re-visiting this subject next spring?
  
  Thats an interesting point about seasonal cutting of leylandii. I’ve heard of die-back being the result of autumn trimming and/or aphids. When’s the latest you cut leylandii down here in the warm and wet south west?
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  Kieran Ray October 8, 2009 at 7:07pm

  untitled.JPGMY leaf clearence flyer! Lets see If it gets me any work.