When to trim hedges?

Hedges need trimming to keep them compact and dense. Formal hedges need more frequent trimming than informal hedges.

New hedges need formative pruning for the first couple of years after the planting. Formative pruning is mainly carried out in winter or early spring.

After this, trimming maintenance is carried out. It is mainly done once a year for informal hedges and twice for formal hedges. Some formal hedges require three cuts a year. Maintenance trimming is primarily carried out between summer and spring. Timing of pruning should consider the potential for nesting birds and be delayed till the nesting season consider to run from March to August - if any signs indicate activity.

Here is the advice in hedges: pruning times for more detailed timing information.

Trimming techniques

Hand-held hedge shears are fine for trim hedges. Still, you may probably find it easier to use a petrol or electric hedge trimmer for large hedges. No matter what you use, always ensure the equipment is well lubricated and sharp.

Always think about safety when using a powered hedge trimming. Wear sturdy gloves and safety goggles. Before starting, any obstacles remove from the ground. Avoid using powered tools more than your shoulder height and use sturdy step platforms or ladders; ensure that they are stable. Electric hedge trimmers are usually used with a residual current device (RCD). They have not to be used in damp conditions. Place the cable over the shoulder to prevent it from any accidental cut.

Formal hedges

There is no requirement for the width of even strong hedges to exceed 60cm (2ft) if they are usually trimmed. Formal hedges need to be slightly tapered on both sides so that the base is more profound than the top, and light can touch the bottom of the hedge. That is known as hedge cutting to a batter.

Follow some mentioned tips to get an even, symmetrical hedge:

Cutting crisp, straight edges by eye can be rugged. Use a set horizontal string attached between two stout canes to act as a guide to cut the top of the hedge level. Stakes or canes pushed into the ground that helps with vertical lines

The shape of the top hedge (e.g. to an arch), cut a template of the form needed from plywood or cardboard. Place the template on the hedge and cut the following line of the template, move it along with as you proceed

When using shears, make sure that the top of the hedge is flat and cut level. Keep the blades of the shears alike to the line of the hedge

When you use a hedge trimmer, keep the blade parallel to the hedge and use a broad, sweeping action working from the bottom of the hedge upwards so that the cut foliage falls away

Informal hedges

Informal hedge trimming is much like the pruning of normal shrubs.

Generally, when you run the informal hedges remove the misplaced shoots and cut down the hedge to its needed size. Use loppers or secateurs where practical, especially if the hedge has large evergreen leaves, to avoid unsightly leaf damage.

We hope this post is helpful for you. If you are looking for tree pruning that our arborists are here to assist you.