[lars64]

Every 1-2 years a neighbour trims our hedges (normal hourly rate) and all is normally fine. This year he was busy, so had someone else working with him using his machinery. Unfortunately this person has been over enthusiastic with the flail and on one hedge in particular (about 300m) has cut it right back, to the trunk of the main plants in some cases (mostly thorn, but with the usual good mix of other stuff), on both sides of the hedge. Imagine a roughly 5ft+ thick hedge now 2ft or so. This was a bit of a pain as some of our sheep promptly pushed their way through where the hedge was thinnest. We've fixed that temporarily (electric fence), but now I'm wondering whether there is anything I should/can do about the poor old hedge. I'm thinking along the lines of quickly replanting some "extra" quickthorn in the worst affected areas, just in case the main plants don't survive. This section of hedge was re-laid about 10 years ago and was previously a lovely hedge in good condition.

Suggestions? Or just plant some quick and hope for the best?

[UPoneacre]

I feel for you; I hate it when they do things like that and we've one contractor round here who easily gets carried away and is a nightmare to rein in, and I now refuse to employ him.

I think your idea of gapping up with quickthorn is the best solution (plus other species as available) and now's the time to do it; as it's late in the season for hedge planting with a bit of luck you might find suppliers trying to clear the last of their stock so price should be good.

Best of luck with it.

[lars64]

I found a company that would sell me a small mixed lot of (mainly) quick with some blackthorn, Field Maple, Hazel, Dogwood and Dog Rose as well. So, well pleased with that and will be planting in my copious free time next week

I won't use that contractor again, apart from the hedge the walnut trees that I planted in that hedge 18 years ago took quite a battering as well. The squirrels will be annoyed.

[Fleecewife]

I would ditch the blackthorn - hateful stuff.

We have found when we've 'filled in the gaps' that the new plants don't grow well, probably because they are overshadowed by the bigger plants, but as your hedge has been so seriously scalped, hopefully they'll grow away nicely.

I dislike flail mowers as they seem to just rip the hedge to bits, but as soon as the leaves start to grow again all is well and you wouldn't know about the massacre underneath 

[cloddopper]

As you seem to have the Houdini crew under control with an electric , perhaps feed the hedge with a NPK granular feed to give it a boost for growing back, then wait till August to see if you actually need to buy any new infill stuff.

[valmet10]

the  hedge will grow back stronger and better  may look a mess at the minute

[Bywaters]

blackthorn will give you sloes

[Marches Farmer]

The sides will thicken up beautifully by late summer.  New growth will spring from the main trunks as well as the branches.  Cut back the top next year and you'll have a fully rejuvenated hedge.