Handy Hedge Trimming Tips

Last week we brought to you some brush cutter maintenance tips, today we bring you some of the most helpful, handy hedge trimming tips to transform how you cut your hedges for a much healthier looking, eye pleasing end result.

Trimming hedges is not as easy as a casual stroll in the park. It requires plenty of hard work in order to achieve a smart, neat and tidy finish. Trimming hedges can be performed by hand with a pair of hedge shears, you can browse our selection of Wilkinson Sword hand tools by clicking here. However, hedge trimming by hand is a long and tiring process which is why we recommend purchasing either a petrol or electric hedge trimmer. Click here to browse our full range.

Firstly, you might be wondering when the best time of year is to cut your hedges. During the summer you can gradually fine trim hedges as much as you feel necessary. Snipping outgrowth during the growing cycle will encourage growth and make it branch upwards. If needed, do two major trims – one in the middle of summer and the other towards the end. However the general rule to follow is:

Deciduous hedges

• Formative pruning: In winter, just after planting, and for the first two years after planting
• Maintenance pruning: Each summer

Evergreen hedges

• Formative pruning: In the spring after planting and for the first two years after planting
• Maintenance pruning: Each summer

If you are wanting to trim a hedge that is roughly chest height in size, then the easiest first step in doing so is to start cutting the sides vertically in a sweeping arc motion. If you have invested in a hedge trimmer with a double sided blade, then you will save even more time as you will be cutting both upwards and downwards in one stroke. If you begin walking forwards as you trim, then you will be cutting more sections of the hedge in one go. After you have completed the sides of the hedge, then move on to the top. The cutting blade is ideally positioned horizontally at a very slight angle.

If you have a tall hedge, then you want to be investing in a long reach hedge cutter. To trim the top of a taller hedge, you will want an angled cutter bar which you can place on top of the hedge to move horizontally across. To trim the sides of a tall hedge it follows almost the same protocol of a chest high hedge. But firstly adjust the angle of the cutting head to suit your working position, keep it straight when you are close, and set it to an angle when you are away from it. Continue to work in a sweeping arc motion.

Helpful Hints:

• New hedges should be pruned from an early stage to establish a shape and prevent unhealthy growth.
• A formal hedge should be tapered – wider at the bottom than the top, ensuring the lower part will get the sunlight needed for healthy growth.
• To trim your hedges into an even, beautiful shape, you might want to use strings as guidelines.
• Remove any large branches sticking out before you begin trimming.
• Fertilize the hedge to give it energy and to stimulate further growth.
• Check that there are no birds nesting in your hedges, as it is an offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.
• Keep trimmer blades sharp and clean for maximum efficiency.
• Keep safe and wear the correct protective clothing.