Pruning new laurels

[MonteCristo]

We planted 32 Portuguese laurels in July last year.

Although we'd certainly like them to grow higher over time, our priority is for them to become a hedgerow as there are currently bigger gaps between them than we would like.

I understand that we are supposed to prune them soon but I'm not really sure what we're doing and don't want to risk anything irreversible that kills all 32 trees.... There is already evidence of new growth.

In addition, a small number of leaves on 3-4 of the trees have small holes in them. Is this anything we should worry about or do we need to treat these any differently?

Images show:

1) A laurel.
2) New growth.
3) Leaf plus holes.

 

[Logan]

If you just prune the tips of every branch it will bush out more, you don't have to cut much off.

 

[MonteCristo]

If you just prune the tips of every branch it will bush out more, you don't have to cut much off.

Thanks! How much should we cut off? Is 1cm about right? And does this mean cutting off the new growth that has sprouted from most ends?

 

[Logan]

Thanks! How much should we cut off? Is 1cm about right? And does this mean cutting off the new growth that has sprouted from most ends?

Yes and yes