Coppicing overgrown hedges ('old' hedges or 1- or 2- year old 'newly-planted' hedges) should be carried out following local tradition. All growth should be cut down to about 75 mm to 100 mm above ground level and left to regrow. Coppicing should be done, during spells of mild weather, between 1 December and the end of February (during February for better results). One year after coppicing, any gaps should be planted up. One or two years after coppicing, new growth should be lightly trimmed to encourage side-growth. You should allow the hedge to grow to between 2 and 3.5 metres in height (5 to 15 years) before laying. This capital item is not available for hedges being managed under either the Management of Hedgerows or Management of Extended Hedges options.