Gardener Braves Heights To Tame 300-Year-Old Hedges At Historic Castle‌ ‌

Gardener Dan Bull works from a cherry picker to trim yew trees at Powis Castle in Welshpool, Wales. JOSEPH WALSHE VIA SWNS.

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A brave gardener with a head for heights has started the mammoth task of using a cherry picker to trim a historic castle’s famous 300-year-old hedges.

Dan Bull will spend eight weeks pruning the gigantic 55ft (16m) firs at Powis Castle, often referred to as “the world’s toughest gardening job.”

Each year, the senior gardener uses a hydraulic platform and powered shears to meticulously maintain 15,000 sq m of formal hedging in pristine condition.

Originally planted in the 18th century, they are almost 300 years old and
considered one of Britain’s greatest examples of Baroque garden design.

Dan said: “It’s a bit scary when we first start cutting them, but after trimming them for several years, I have got used to it.”

Despite the height, he likens the job to trimming an ordinary garden hedge – albeit much higher up.

He added: “Basically, it’s like cutting your hedge at home just a bit higher up in the air. The garden here is pretty spectacular.

“I get a great sense of achievement when it’s all finished, and the tumps are back to the shape that our visitors, staff, and volunteers admire so much.”

Standing proud and spilling over the Italianate terrace, the yews have survived style, fashion, and design changes over hundreds of years.

They have grown to such a size that a tunnel has been formed so visitors to the historic venue in Welshpool, mid-Wales, can walk through it.