The team at Powis Castle and Garden in Welshpool has started the annual task of trimming the estate's 300-year-old yew hedges.

The job, often referred to as "the world's toughest gardening job," involves pruning hedges that stand as tall as 55 feet.

Senior gardener Dan Bull will spend several weeks cutting the hedges, which cover more than 15,000 square metres of the Baroque-style garden.

The job involves pruning hedges that stand as tall as 55 feetThe job involves pruning hedges that stand as tall as 55 feet (Image: Gary Williams/ National Trust)

The hedges, planted in the early 1700s, are considered one of the best examples of Baroque garden design in Britain.

Their shape has changed over the years, reflecting changes in gardening fashion.

Initially clipped into small cones, they were left to grow naturally during the late 18th century.

The hedges cover more than 15,000 square metres of the Baroque-style gardenThe hedges cover more than 15,000 square metres of the Baroque-style garden (Image: Gary Williams/ National Trust)

However, the Victorian era saw a return to formal gardening, and the hedges were trimmed into their now-famous cloud-like shapes.

Each summer, Mr Bull and his team use a hydraulic cherry picker to reach the top of the towering yews.

Mr Bull 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, just much higher in the air.

Advances in technology have made the task significantly easier.

Mr Bull now spends around six to eight weeks on the job, compared to the four months it used to take with manual tools.

Before the turn of the century, 10 people would spend 17 weeks using hand shears and ladders to access the immense yew and box hedges.

Now, powered shears and cherry pickers make the job quicker and safer, though still a painstaking effort.

In the past, 10 people would spend 17 weeks using hand shears and ladders to access the immense yew and box hedgesIn the past, 10 people would spend 17 weeks using hand shears and ladders to access the immense yew and box hedges (Image: Gary Williams/ National Trust) Mr Bull finds great satisfaction in the work, stating that he gets a great sense of achievement when it’s all finished, and the tumps are back to the shape that the visitors, staff, and volunteers admire so much.

Powis Castle and Garden is a National Trust property based just outside of Welshpool in Mid Wales.

For more information, visit the National Trust website.