What Can a Hedge Trimmer Cut

Hedge trimmers are incredibly versatile tools with many more uses than just trimming shrubs and hedges. Investing in a durable and high-quality hedge trimmer and adding it to your toolkit can help you save a ton of money in the future.

There are several hedge trimmers available in the market, and it is crucial that you do your research before blindly selecting one. A few popular and high end brands include Stihl, Greenworks, Echo, and Kobalt. 

Since there are many types of hedge trimmers available in the market, it is important to analyze your specific needs before you make a purchase. Some are powered by gas, while others run on electricity. You can even find cordless hedge trimmers in the market, which are rechargeable and are ideal for when you don’t have access to electricity nearby. 

If you are someone who invests a lot of time in maintaining their yard and making sure that it looks neat and tidy at all times, you are probably already aware of the importance of a hedge trimmer for gardening.

Keep reading to find out all the possible uses of a hedge trimmer, so you can get a better idea of how versatile and convenient this tool is. 

What Are Hedge Trimmers Designed For?

The purpose of hedge trimmers is to cut, trim, or prune plants, including hedges and shrubs. They are easy to use and can generally be handled by beginners as long as they follow the recommended safety precautions.

There are two main variations when it comes to hedge trimmers: gas-powered and electric-powered. Gas-powered hedge trimmers tend to be more common as they can get the job done faster and are usually easy to maintain. 

An electric hedge trimmer can also effectively trim and cut hedges, but people who are used to operating gas-powered hedge trimmers feel that an electric one cannot provide the same amount of power.

When operating a hedge trimmer, taking care of your safety is critical. As long as your hedge trimmer is in good condition and you maintain it frequently, you can use it for various purposes, which are discussed below.

Capacity of Hedge Trimmers

If you are wondering what size branch can a hedge trimmer cut, keep in mind that the average capacity of most hedge trimmers is 3/4th of an inch. This means that you can trim or cut several materials with a hedge trimmer as long as they are thinner than 3/4th of an inch.

Just make sure that the blade of your hedge trimmer is sharp and that there is no dirt or sap accumulation. A blunt or dirty blade can make it very difficult to slice through branches or shrubs. You will be left with uneven cuts and hedges that look untidy and uneven.

Other Uses of Hedge Trimmers

People who are new to hedge trimmers often have a lot of questions about their operation. We have answered the most common questions regarding the different materials that a hedge trimmer can cut. 

Can a Hedge Trimmer Cut Branches?

There are a few powerful hedge trimmers that can be used to cut branches. Whether your specific hedge trimmer will be able to cut entire branches or not depends on the size of the branch you want to cut.

It is true that the hedge trimmers come with extremely sharp blades that can easily slice shrubs and hedges. Unfortunately, hedge trimmers are not powerful enough to slice entire branches, especially very thick ones, even though they have very sharp blades. 

If you are wondering how thick a branch can a hedge trimmer cut, keep the capacity of 3/4th of an inch in mind. Any branch that is too thick will require a lot of effort on your part, making it not worth your time and energy.

Since hedge trimmers are constructed using the purpose of trimming shrubs, they are designed to cut back and forth. This motion is not ideal when dealing with branches and is only suitable for removing small twigs and trimming bushes.

It is better to stick to a chainsaw if you plan to cut thick branches.

Can Hedge Trimmers Cut Blackberry Bushes?

Hedge trimmers will be ideal tools for getting blackberry bushes. Depending on the season, when your trees have produced sufficient blackberries, you will need to prune or trim the vines so that there is room for more growth next year.

Usually, a pair of shears are used by gardeners to get rid of excessive vines, but hedge trimmers can be a much more efficient choice.

Since they run on gas or electricity, they are more powerful than manual tools like shears. Also, since hedge trimmers are operated from a safe distance, you will stay protected from the sharp thorns of the blackberry plant.

Just make sure you are operating your hedge trimmer while wearing protective clothing and following all the other safety precautions. 

Related: Can You Use a Hedge Trimmer to Cut Weeds

Can a Hedge Trimmer Cut Bamboo?

If there are bamboo trees in your yard, you will notice that they tend to grow very quickly and often need to be cut or trimmed to keep them in good shape. 

A hedge trimmer can be a good option if you want to trim the top part of the bamboo branches. This is because these are thin and can be easily cut using the sharp blade of a hedge trimmer.

Hedge trimmers will not be ideal for thick and mature bamboo branches or for cutting entire bamboo trees because their blades are too small for this purpose. You may be successful in cutting a bamboo branch with a hedge trimmer, but it will take too long, and the blades of your hedge trimmer will become highly blunt.

It is a better idea to stick to tools like a chainsaw if you want to get rid of entire bamboo branches. If the bamboo trunk has become hard and you keep trying to use a hedge trimmer to cut it, your trimmer will probably break.

Can a Hedge Trimmer Be Used To Cut Grass?

The blade of a hedge trimmer is sharp and big enough to cut grass effectively. Using a hedge trimmer instead of a manual tool may be a good idea, as it can reduce the time it takes to maintain an entire yard.

There are some special safety precautions that you will need to take. It is easier to cut tall grass using a hedge trimmer, but even if the grass you are working with is short, a hedge trimmer can be used.

The first thing that you will need to do is make sure that there are no obstacles like rocks or stones that may come in contact with the hedge trimmer. If they get stuck in the blade, they can break your hedge trimmer and render it useless.

Also, make sure you are wearing protective clothing, which includes safety goggles, as the small pieces of grass can come in contact with your eyes. Do not wear loose clothing or accessories that can get stuck in the hedge trimmer.

It is recommended to keep the blade horizontal to the ground and kneel over while holding the hedge trimmer in a stable position. Make sure that the tool never touches the ground, as this can also cause irreversible damage. We would only recommend professionals who have at least some prior experience with hedge trimmers to use one for cutting grass.

Related: Can I Use Hedge Trimmer to Cut Grass?

Can a Hedge Trimmer Cut Vines?

A hedge trimmer is only suitable for cutting some vines that are thin, like blackberry vines. When it comes to thicker vines like those that grow on trees, a hedge trimmer may not be the ideal tool as they tend to be thick and will require a lot of effort.

If you want to use a hedge trimmer to cut vines, make sure you are using a sweeping motion and moving your trimmer from side to side. Avoid the upward and downward motion and always start from the outside of the clump and slowly make your way in.

If you are unsure whether or not your hedge trimmer will cut vines, you can test it out carefully. As long as the vines are being cut smoothly without a lot of effort, you can continue with the rest of the clump. If the vines are thick and are moving out of the way instead of cutting them, it means they are too thick, and you should use another tool to cut through them.

Also:

Can a Hedge Trimmer Cut Small Trees?

It is usually not recommended to use hedge trimmers to cut trees, no matter how small they are. Since their primary purpose is to trim and cut hedges or bushes, their blades are not designed to be sharp enough to cut through entire trees. 

Some experienced individuals may be able to cut through small trees using a hedge trimmer, but this is usually not recommended. You can damage the device and put yourself in danger if you are not careful. 

Use a pruning saw or a chainsaw, which are much more powerful than hedge trimmers and come with extremely sharp blades.

How Safe Are Hedge Trimmers?

Hedge trimmers are generally considered safe as long as they are operated, keeping safety precautions in mind. The blades of hedge trimmers are very sharp, and even a little bit of carelessness can lead to dangerous accidents. 

When you are using a hedge trimmer, always wear protective clothing and hold the trimmer firmly in your hands. The safety of your hands is also very important, so always wear protective gloves that can assist you in maintaining a strong grip on the tool.

Some people wonder, can a chainsaw cut your finger off? The answer is yes. If the blade of a hedge trimmer comes in contact with your finger, it will effortlessly slice it off. Even if the finger is not cut off completely, your nerves, skin, and muscles will be damaged significantly. 

Keep in mind that hedge trimmers can cause a lot of damage to any body part that their blades come in contact with. For this reason, always be extremely careful when operating one.

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