How To Trim a Hedge With a Hedge Trimmer

Trimming and pruning hades is an important gardening skill that includes removing the overgrown and dead stems, branches, and roots on trees, shrubs, and hedges. 

Regular trimming annually encourages thicker, more symmetrical, and healthier growth of plants!

And this is something every gardener also wants, right?

In general, it needs not only a bit of skill but also some basic knowledge and an idea of the perfect time to perform this task. 

And if you’ve ever tried to do it with just a pair of shears or clippers, you know it can be a time-consuming and physically demanding job. 

That’s where a hedge trimmer comes into play! With its sharp blades and powerful motor, it can make quick work of even the thickest and tallest hedges, and it becomes a pleasure instead of a pain.

It means that you will also need to have an appropriate tool for the job, whether the hedge you are cutting is informal or formal.

Scroll down to learn about how to trim a hedge properly and when to trim hedges.

Easy Steps On How To Trim Hedges Like A Pro!

Trimming hedges may seem like a daunting task, but it can actually be quite simple with just a few steps. Simply gather your tools and safety gear, trim the top of the hedge to your desired height, then work your way down the sides, & cut them at an angle to encourage healthy growth. 

Yes, it is as simple as that! You can enjoy the beautifully trimmed hedges without much effort and time. However, there are a few more steps involved that vary from formal hedge cutting to informal hedge cutting.

In The Case of Informal Hedge

Select a large deciduous plant, like Berberis, escallonia, or forsythia, which have berries and bright flowers. Native plants, including blackthorn, field maple, or hawthorn, are ideal for wildlife, while sweet briar roses and dog roses have hips and attractive flowers.

1. Cut back informal hedges right after flowering for a regular, appropriate shape.
2. If you prefer a smooth-looking hedge with hips and berries, cut back tough every few years.
3. You can also prefer cutting a hedge back hard with a lopper and secateurs, removing older branches selectively for a natural look.

In The Case of Formal Hedge

Formal hedges need to be clipped regularly. Select a fine-leaved, dense plant, such as conifer or privet, and ensure that you trim it on a regular basis to a wedge or squared shape with the base broader than the top. It enables maximum light to reach its base and makes it look harder.

1. Keep the top more broader than 60cm to make it cut conveniently from one side.
2. Erect the line using string and bamboo canes that do not stretch if pulled.
3. Now, push bamboo canes into the soil at the ends of the hedge, & shorter canes at almost 45° to these, specifically pointing away from the hedge. 
4. After that, tie a string line between the upright canes and slant to cease the upright canes from pulling inwards whenever you tighten that string along the hedge.
5. Then, tie the string above the hedge in order to get the straight side, & about 1cm below the required height to trim the top.
6. Begin trimming at the side of the bottom of every side & work upwards in continuous, smooth swathes.
7. Trim the hedge top and save your time by simply spreading the plastic sheet beside that hedge in order to catch the clippings.
8.  The rake of brush the clippings from the hedge top. If you let them stay on the hedge, the airless and damp conditions they create can permit fungal diseases to get a complete hold over them.

Now that you know how to trim your hedges, why not acknowledge the importance of trimming hedges (in case you feel demotivated)? Stay along!

Related: How to Use a Hedge Trimmer in Simple and Easy Ways

Why Pruning and Trimming are Important?

Regular pruning and trimming enable your plants to benefit from better airflow, enhanced water delivery to the roots, and increased sunlight. All of these can assist in preventing viral, fungal, and bacterial diseases from taking hold while maintaining the tiptop condition of the plant.

Below are a few reasons why hedges need to be well-trimmed:

• Removes infected or old deadwood
• Increases the delivery of sunlight to all newborn shoots.
• Enhances flower yield and leads growth
• Improves the overall plant health

Moving on, let’s have a look at what is the ideal time for trimming the hedges;

What Is The Ideal Time To Trim Your Hedge

The ideal time to trim the hedge mainly depends on the hedge type you have, as well as whether it’s formal or informal. You also need to make sure that there are not nesting birds near that area when you plan to trim the hedges.

In some countries, it is even banned officially to cut a hedge if there’s a nest being used by birds, and they consider it a high offense and illegal under the Wildlife Act. This is because it can damage their nests and may abandon their small eggs.

Therefore, always check for it, especially in the nesting season, which usually takes place from March to August. Overall, the perfect time to trim is during the dormant season, which is typically in late winter or early spring. This allows the hedge to grow vigorously during the growing season.

In the end, it’s always a good idea to research your particular type of hedge and its optimal trimming time to ensure the best possible outcomes!

Related: How to Trim Holly Bushes With Hedge Trimmer

Incredible Safety Tips to Follow Before You Start

1. Check The Weather

Never trim the hedges or bushes in the rain, and this is particularly crucial while using an electric hedge trimmer, as electricity and water don’t mix!

If everything is good to go and the weather is also fine to work in, examine that your tool is in nice working order & not damaged. 

If the machine is damaged or malfunctioned, you need to either buy a new one or fix your old trimmer with the help of an expert to avoid future problems.

2. Wear Protective Clothing & Footwear

Another important step, wearing protective footwear and clothing, should be taken at any cost. The clothing you select should permit you to move freely and be tight-fitting and sturdy.

Your clothes should give you complete safety – so that you can cut the branches without fear of being injured!

Plus, make sure to wear non-slip shoes while using a trimmer to provide you with a safe footing. Gloves and goggles are highly recommended, too.

3. Clear The Area

Always pick out any debris or dead leaves that might be stuck in the hedge. It’ll stop dust and debris from jamming the trimer.

This way, you’ll be able to cut so many hedges with great convenience! 

You may also have to move other things from the way to allow you the best possible access to the hedge directly.

4. Decide How Wide and High You Hedge Should Be (before planting) 

If you are starting from scratch, select plants that simply lend themselves to making the hedge, which means that they grow tight and upright naturally.

For formal hedges, shrubs will need to tolerate frequent pruning and shearing, like boxwood, privet, and yew. Typically, the hedge requires a minimum width of 3 feet. 

As far as the height is concerned, keep the hedge at eye level to make maintenance more convenient. Figuring out how wide and high you want the hedge to be is always necessary.

Research the habit of the plant you’re going to trim, and then choose a specific variety that will not overgrow your room. Otherwise, you will be in a never-ending battle trying to cut it down to size.

5. Prune In The Winter

The hedges should be pruned ideally in the late winter because the plants are dormant in this season and have not produced buds, especially if you are cutting back tremendously.

If you take off the buds of the plant by mistake, you are actually cutting off a lot of energy, and it’ll take a long time for that hedge to fill out and heal.

Evergreens need to be pruned early in the season as they are slower-growing and are likely to be bare and off-color at their tips because new growth begins to show into the summer.

In contrast, fast-growing hedge plants, like spirea, viburnum, and privet, are more forgiving. With beautiful flowering shrubs, it’s better to wait until the day right after the blooms turn brown.

This way, the plant will have enough time to set buds for the upcoming year, whether it blooms on the next season’s wood or the current one.

Related: How to Shape Bushes with Hedge Trimmer

Alternatives to Using a Hedge Trimmer

Wondering what is the proper way to trim a hedge in an effective way except hedge trimmer methods? Well, hold on! Even if you don’t own a trimmer or simply want to explore some other useful ways to cut hedges, there are many other alternatives that’ll be highly effective and helpful to perform this job.

Have a look below to learn about some fantastic alternatives to using a hedge trimmer:

Pruning Shears: If you have a small garden or just a few shrubs, pruning shears can be an effective way to trim your hedges. They allow you to easily trim the tips of the branches, shape the hedge, and remove any dead or diseased parts.

Scissors: For more precise trimming, you can use a pair of scissors to trim the tips of the branches. This method may take longer than using a hedge trimmer, but it allows you to control the shape of the hedge more precisely.

Hand Saw: If your hedge has thicker branches, a hand saw can be a good alternative to a hedge trimmer. Use a pruning saw to cut thicker branches or simply a hand saw to cut entire branches if necessary.

Hedge Shears: Hedge shears are similar to pruning shears but are larger and can cut thicker branches. They are designed to cut large sections of the hedge at once, making them a faster alternative to using scissors or pruning shears.

Electric or Cordless Chainsaw: If your hedge is very large or has very thick branches, an electric or cordless chainsaw can be a good alternative to a hedge trimmer. However, this method requires more skill and caution as chainsaws can be dangerous to use.

Point to Remember: No matter what particular method you use, be sure to wear appropriate safety gear, including gloves, safe clothes, and eye protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) How often should I trim my hedge?

Many amateur gardeners get their trimming done at the end of June annually. For most plants, it’s worth trimming them to the preferred width and height in the middle or end of February. Later on, they need to be slightly pruned in the summer 

2) What is the ideal weather for hedge trimming?

Don’t cut the hedge when it’s too sunny or hot, as there’s a risk that the freshly trimmed surfaces will die or become dry out. And the same thing applies when it’s extremely cold outside. When spring comes, you still experience regular Sub-Zero temperatures, so don’t trim the hedges in this weather too as the cuts will take so much time to heal & the cold will also make thin branches really weak.

3) What is the proper way to cut hedges?

First, shear the interior & other obvious areas with problems. Then, use a quality trimmer to refine a proper shape. Simply snip overgrown limbs and branches inside every bush. Make sure to clear enough room for air and sunlight to pass through and boost healthy growth. Prune the base close to all the roots too.

4) Do you cut the sides or top of the hedge first?

I suggest starting with all the sides of the hedges first. Then, work your own way from the top. Trim flat along the hedge tops up to 10ft tall, with a hedge trimmer by utilizing a highly adjustable cutting head.

5) What is the difference between a hedge trimmer and a hedge cutter?

In general, hedge trimmers are used to perform light work on bushes and branches. Shaping and tidying up shrubs is another of their great functions. Anyhow, heavy-duty work is more suitable for the hedge cutters, such as breaking down thicker bushes and big branches.

Conclusion

Overall, cutting the hedges with a trimmer can be an efficient and quick way to keep the yard looking tidy, neat, and clean. By following some simple steps, like gathering tools & safety gear, cutting the top, & then sides, as well as cleaning debris, you can achieve your desired shape. 

In this guide, we closely looked at how to cut hedge with hedge trimmer in a proper way, tips to follow during trimming, what’s the perfect time for this task, and more. With this enlightening information, you will be highly able to master the art of trimming in no time!

Happy Trimming!