Hedge Trimming Tips and Techniques

It may be argued that shrubs, bushes, and hedges are the most underappreciated and underestimated of all the plants used in landscaping. They have a natural beauty that can improve the appearance of the outside of your home, as well as provide a nice accent to lawns, trees, gardens, and hardscapes such as walkways, patios, and stonewalls.

Along a boundary line, some different kinds of shrubs and bushes can be grown to create a privacy screen, a windbreak, or a living "fence." The majority of cultivars retain their brilliant colouration and green colouration throughout the year. Your home's resale value might even go up if you take the time to prune and manage your shrubs, bushes, and hedges, but this only holds true if you do it properly.

Both the curb appeal and the market value of your property will suffer if you let your shrubs and bushes become grossly unmanaged, deformed, and untrimmed. The use of a hedge trimmer, on the other hand, makes the upkeep of these gorgeous works of landscaping pretty simple. Nearly 1/3 of elders said in a recent survey that they enjoy working on outdoor DIY projects to improve their home environment. Planting and sculpting hedges is an excellent method to create a private refuge in your own backyard.

How to Trim a Hedge 

No matter what kind of hedge trimmer you have, the following instructions, strategies, and recommendations for cutting hedges apply to most types of bushes and shrubs. Take note that most formal hedges require shearing 3 to 4 times per year to keep their manicured and neat appearance. One or two shearings per year are all that is necessary for informal hedges, which are permitted to develop into a form that is more free-form in appearance.

When trimming the hedge, begin your work around the base of the plant and work your way up toward the peak. Slow and even motion should be used when moving the cutting bar. It is best to let the blades' cutting action do the work for you. On the first run through the hedge, you shouldn't make the mistake of cutting too deeply into it since you could end up chopping off too many branches. Alternatively, you should make several passes at a lesser depth, removing just a few inches at a session.

It is vital to cut the sides of the hedgerow at an angle so that it is broader at the bottom and somewhat narrower at the top. This will provide the desired effect. This allows sunlight to reach the lower branches and the root system, which in turn encourages the overall growth of the hedge to become more verdant and lush.

A word of advice: avoid trimming hedges in the early spring, as this is the time of year when birds are breeding.

Keep the cutting bar of the hedge trimmer at the exact level while moving it slowly from left to right, then right to left. This will allow you to cut the top of the hedge so that it is flat. Hedge trimmers are capable of making cuts in either direction. Therefore, you should only remove a very small amount at a time.

Hedgerows of medium to small size can trim their height freehand to the desired level. When trimming long hedgerows, however, it is preferable to first stretch a taut nylon line between 2 wooden pegs to symbolise the finished height of the hedge before beginning the actual trimming process. Then, while following the line with your trimmer, generate a cut that is even and straight.

After you have finished the first few passes with the hedge trimmer, put it down on the ground and take the severed leaves and branches out of the hedge using either your hands or a leaf rake. Take a step back and carefully inspect the hedge. To get the hedge to its finished shape, you may need to perform a few final rounds of trimming.

After that, you should manually separate the branches and inspect the interior of the shrub for any branches that are unhealthy, damaged, or dead. If you come across any, remove them with a pair of bypass hand pruners.

A helpful hint for trimming hedges is to do so either very early in the morning or very late in the afternoon. This will avoid the recently cut tips of the branches from being scorched by the sun.

Hedge trimmers with extended reach make it possible to easily and safely cut even the tallest of hedges.

If you have particularly tall hedges that need to be trimmed, you might want to look into purchasing or renting a prolonged hedge trimmer. This specialised instrument is essentially a conventional trimmer that is fastened to a very long shaft that can be adjusted in length. Without having to stand on a ladder, this is the simplest and most secure method for cutting back large branches.

Hedge Tools to Use

You have access to a wide variety of tools to pick from. When making your selection, make sure to take into account both the pricing and the quality. Check that all of your tools are both sharp and in functioning order. When the blades are too dull or too blunt, they do not actually cut the branches and leaves; rather, they rip them. Utilise the hedge trimmer and other equipment that is appropriate for the particular sort of hedge you are working on. The following are some of the most frequent instruments used for trimming hedges:

• Hand pruners
• Hedge shears or clippers
• Pruning loppers
• Saw with a curve
• Hedge clippers powered by electricity

Electrical hedge trimmers can be broken down into three distinct categories, each catering to a different kind of user.

1. Trimmers that are fueled by gasoline have robust engines that can cleanly and efficiently trim even the thickest of branches. In addition, gas-powered trimmers do not require an extension cord, which means you are free to use them wherever on the land without being restricted.

It is important to remember that gas trimmers include two-stroke engines, which need the correct mixing of oil and gas in the appropriate quantities. Prices begin at about $180 and can go as high as $550, although the vast majority of models fall between the region of $290 to $360.

A fuel-mix ratio of 50:1 is required for the vast majority of two-stroke trimmers. (If you want to be sure, check the owner's manual.) This ratio can be achieved by adding 2.6 oz of two-stroke oil to one gallon of 89-octane gasoline and mixing the two together. Before you fill the fuel tank of the trimmer, make sure you use a container for the permitted gas and then shake the bottle to combine the gas and the oil.

Be aware that if your community has a homeowners association, you might want to examine to see if they have any rules prohibiting the use of gas-powered equipment owing to the noise it produces. This is something you should be aware of.

Electric hedge trimmers are not only silent, but also lightweight, powerful, and reasonably priced. However, because of the size of the extension chord, your range of motion will be restricted.

2. The fact that corded electric hedge trimmers are so user-friendly, low-noise, and almost require no maintenance contributes to their widespread use. There is no need to fuss with the pull cord, the choke, the exhaust gases, the gas, or the oil. After connecting the trimmer to the extension cord, you can begin trimming.

Electric trimmers are also quite reasonably priced, with prices varying from approximately $30 to $190 for different models, with the majority of models falling somewhere between $50 and $75. The fact that you need to carry an extension cord is, of course, the most glaring disadvantage. This not only reduces your range but also adds another hazard that needs to be avoided when pruning.

Customers who have comparatively small yards or bushes that are situated in close proximity to a power outlet are the ideal candidates for electric hedge trimmers.

3. Using cordless hedge trimmers allows you to cut anywhere without being tethered to an electrical outlet. They operate with an amazingly low noise level, are rather potent, and can last for an astonishingly long period before the battery needs to be recharged.

Although cordless hedge trimmers have been available for quite some time, it is only relatively recently that people have begun to take them seriously. This is largely due to the development of lithium-ion batteries that are not only powerful but also last for an exceptionally long time. They combine the advantages of gas and electric trimmers, which have contributed to their increasing demand in recent years.

A cordless trimmer is similar to a gas trimmer in that it allows the user to move freely around the property without being connected, but it is also noticeably quieter than an electric trimmer. It is easy to start, it does not emit any exhaust, and it does not require any engine oil or gas.

The capacity of the battery has a direct bearing on the product's overall performance as well as its power output and cost. Batteries for cordless trimmers can have anywhere from 18 to 56 volts of power, depending on the model. Batteries with a higher voltage have more power and can run for longer periods of time, but they are also heavier and cost more money. Prices for cordless hedge trimmers can range anywhere from $60 to $500, with the majority falling in the $100 to $250 price range.

A helpful hint to keep in mind while searching for cordless hedge trimmers is to check and see if the charger and battery are already included in the package. Many types of trimmers are offered for sale as "bare tools," which means that the charger and battery are not included in the package and must be purchased separately.

If you want the greatest results from your hedge trimmer, make sure you follow these helpful guidelines.

Keep it sharp.

It might sound silly, but make sure the trimmer's blades are always sharp. If the tips of cut branches have a ragged appearance or a light colour, or if the blades snag on the hedge, it is likely that the blades are dull and tearing material rather than slicing it.

Be sure to keep it clean.

An unclean blade will not perform as well as one that is. Sap collects on the blades of a hedge trimmer and dries into a substance similar to glue as the hedge is clipped. To maintain the blades in optimal condition, always clean them with a product that is authorised.

Keep it organised.

You should begin by cutting the vertical sides of a hedge first. To do this, make sweeping motions upward and downward while moving forward along the hedge as you work. When cutting the head of a hedge, angle the blades at an angle equal to 10 degrees to the horizontal and use a horizontal scything technique to sweep the trimmed material off of the hedge.

Keep it secure.

When operating a powered hedge trimmer, you should always wear the protective apparel that is recommended and follow the safety guidelines.

How to cut a formal hedge

A hedge that is maintained with regular trimming is called a formal hedge. Pick a plant with dense, finely divided leaves, like a privet or a conifer, and be sure to prune it regularly so that it takes on a square or wedge shape, with the bottom being broader than the top. This lets in as much light as possible and gives the impression that the base is more substantial.

• If you want to cut it from one side simply, try to keep the width of the top to no more than roughly 60 centimetres.
• Construct a line using bamboo canes and string, which does not expand when it is pushed to create longer hedges.
• Canes of bamboo should be pushed into the ground at either tip of the hedge, and shorter canes should be pushed into the ground at an angle of 45 degrees to the longer canes, pointing away from the hedge.
• When you pull the string tighter along the hedge, the upright canes may want to pull inwards, which can be prevented by tying a string line between the slanting and upright canes.
• After tying the thread above the hedge to obtain a straight side, trim the top of the hedge approximately 1 cm below the height you want it to reach in the end.
• Begin the process of pruning at the bottom of each side, and work your way upward in swathes that are smooth and continuous.
• Last but not least, trim the head of the hedge.
• You can get the job done faster by laying down a plastic sheet to capture the hedge clippings next to the hedge.
• Remove the trimmings from the peak of the hedge by brushing or raking them. If you keep them on the hedge, the wet and stuffy circumstances that they generate could make it easier for fungal diseases to take root.
• Use a wheelbarrow to transport the clippings to the dustbin or compost heap rather than your own two feet. Check out our buyer's guide before you go shopping for a wheelbarrow.

How to cut an informal hedge

Choose a deciduous plant with huge leaves, such as escallonia, forsythia, or berberis, which also produces colourful flowers and berries. These plants are good options. Plants that are native to the area, such as blackthorn, hawthorn, or field maple, are beneficial to the local fauna. Sweet briar rose, and dog rose both have beautiful flowers and hips.

• After the flowers have faded, the informal hedges should have their shape trimmed back.
• You should perform severe pruning every few years if you want your hedge to have a more natural appearance and produce berries and hips.
• It is possible that you might find it more convenient to trim these hedges with secateurs and loppers, cutting some of the older branches to achieve a more natural appearance.
• How to trim a haphazardly planted hedge
• We have compiled a list of the top hedge trimmers that can be used on both small and large hedges.

Instructions for trimming the apex of a hedge

Invest in a specific platform designed for cutting hedges if you have a lot of tall hedges that need to be trimmed. This platform should have a wide base to be used on uneven ground. It should ideally be high enough to cut the peak of the hedge when it is at waist level. 

You might also seek a long-reach hedge trimmer with telescoping handles that extend by an extra 20-30 cm or one that has a long shaft that is set in place. When cutting the top of a hedge, the blade can be angled at right angles to cut (up to about 3 metres high).

When trimming the top of a hedge, you should never lean a ladder against the hedge. If you are using a regular step ladder, you should have someone keep it steady for you as you climb it.

How to Perform Renovations on a Hedge

• Decide on the height or width of the finished product, and then use canes and thread to mark it before cutting it.
• To make room for new growth, you can cut the hedge back even further—up to 30 centimetres farther, based on the overall size of the hedge.
• Especially with larger hedges, it is best to prune back one part of the hedge one year and the opposite side the following year to maintain a physical barrier and to prevent stunning the plant.
• Older branches with a diameter of more than one centimetre should be pruned with, a pruning saw or loppers.
• After you have pruned it to the desired size, continue to maintain it by trimming it frequently using a hedge trimmer.
• It is recommended that the green growth of any conifer hedge, except yew, not be cut back beyond the green growth. It is possible that it is time to replace your conifer hedge if it has become overgrown and unmanageable.

If you want a perfectly trimmed hedge, just follow these easy steps:

Step 1: Utilise the Appropriate Tools

If you are simply going to be doing some basic manicuring, you should use a little hand trimmer. Use either an electric or gas trimmer for projects that are more extensive.

Step 2: Place a drop cloth on the ground.

Place a drop cloth in a circle around the bottom of the hedge to collect any debris that may fall.

Step 3: Picture the form.

Place yourself some distance away from the hedge, and picture the form that you want to create with it.

Advice: Use a step stool instead of stretching and straining to reach the top of your hedge if you cannot do so without assistance.

Step 4: Mark instructions

Install bamboo stakes at either end of the hedge, and then tie string in between them. This will create a level top. Make sure everything is even by following the string as a guide.

Advice: Designs that are round are simpler to maintain compared to square ones. On round tops, new growth is less obvious, and snow is also more likely to fall off of round tops.

Step 5: Remove any branches in this step.

Take out any branches that are in the way of your cut that are too big for your trimmer to manage. For branches with a diameter of more than one-quarter of an inch, use lopping shears.

Step 6: Trim

You should move your body such that you are not overreaching at any moment while using the trimmer along the contours you visualised.

Advice: Be careful not to cut too deeply, or your plants may appear to have died. Keep a substantial amount of the vegetation that lies beneath your cuttings.

Step 7: Imagine again.

Take occasional steps backward to check that you are cutting along the outlines of the shape you have envisioned. One last pass over the area should smooth down any rough spots.

Step 8: Clean-up is the eighth step.

Remove the trimmed bits of the shrubbery by brushing them off. Fold the edges of the drop cloth in so that it can be thrown away or composted more easily, and then put away your tools.

Possible Substitutes for the Use of a Hedge Trimmer

• The finest tool to use for trimming hedges along boundaries is a motorised hedge trimmer.
• A respectable set of hedge shears is an environmentally friendly and low-tech choice that may be used to trim a shorter hedge.
• You can make a topiary with regular garden scissors, but topiary shears will give you a much more professional finish. One hand is sufficient to operate these.
• When using a hedge trimmer, it can be challenging to achieve a clean cut on plants with large leaves, such as laurels. To clean up the ragged edges that the trimmer has left on the leaves, use a pair of shears.

Summary

In conclusion, remember that the first time, you choose a hedge trimmer, you will most likely experience some awkwardness and trepidation, but you should not become disheartened by these feelings. Within an hour or two, you'll become used to how the trimmer feels in your hands and grow comfortable with it. Remember that you shouldn't rush; instead, you should operate at a steady pace and let the blades cut. You won't need a teacher for long until you can trim hedges like an expert.