How to Trim Your Hedges the Right Way
If you have established hedges in your garden, meaning those that are fully grown and integrated into their environment, then maintenance will be required if you want them to retain their shape and resist taking over your garden.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the process of cutting all types of hedges, be they formal or informal, and the best methods for achieving a tidy or even shaped appearance.
Our Tips for How to Trim a Hedge
Approaching an unruly hedge can feel overwhelming, especially if yours has grown completely out of control. However, with the right tools and methods, you can have the beautiful hedge you want, without too much stress.
Essential Hedge Trimming Tools
It might be a relief to know that you will only need two tools to get started:
1. Hand Shears
The ideal size of hand shears will depend on the scale of the task at hand. We offer industry-leading hedge shears from Wilkinson Sword, who are recognised as experts in the field of blade manufacturing, such as the Telescopic Shears, ideal for all kinds of general use. We also offer smaller Comfort Ratchet Pruners for smaller hedging and the Ultralight Shaping Shears for precise and detailed work.
2. A Hedge Trimmer
Where hand shears are good for tidying and removing odds and ends, hedge trimmers are made to pull most of the ‘weight’. We have a large range of hedge trimmers, each with its own use and strength. The models can be easily divided into petrol-powered and electric-powered. Both will get the job done well, the difference lies mostly in price and environmental impact, as electric models are cheaper to run and more eco-friendly by nature.
We also offer specially designed models for reaching higher places – the full uses and techniques of which we will detail later in this article.
SIMS’ TIP: All hedge trimming tools, be they powered or handheld, should be kept sharp and properly lubricated before and after use. Skipping out on tool care will result in dull blades that leave a ragged edge when trimming or, worst of all, risk personal injury from snags or slips.
How to Trim Formal and Informal Hedges
Most hedges can be categorised as either formal or informal, and this can be identified easily by their overall appearance.
Formal hedges are uniform in shape and are often used to border walkways or divide adjoining gardens. Topiaries are a common type of formal hedge that you might be more familiar with. Formal hedges require semi-regular upkeep in order to maintain their form, and require a level of skill that is not required of informal hedges. Hornbeam, yew, box, and beech are popular choices for formal hedging.
The best way to trim formal hedges is with a hedge trimmer. They allow for wider and more even coverage overall, and will reduce the risk of ill cuts which may cause latent rot or disease. Once you have shaped the majority of the hedge using your trimmer of choice, you can then move in with shears to neaten up any loose areas.
Informal hedges look much wilder than their formal counterparts, and trimming them is much simpler, as your technique can be a lot less precise. Species such as hawthorn, field maple, and lavender are some hedge types that suit an informal look.
Trim your informal hedges as you would any shrub, with a focus on removing straggling tendrils and reducing the hedge to your preferred size. Just remember that absolute uniformity is not the goal. For this reason, most informal hedges can be trimmed effectively using shears.
How to Trim Shapes and Straight Lines
When trimming your formal hedging, you may be seeking to achieve an appearance with strong shapes or clean-cut lines. Achieving this is more than possible, with certain species such as privet and buxus hedging taking best to heavy shaping.
Avoid ‘Eyeballing’
Do not attempt to trim your hedge freehand. Instead, for straight lines try to tie a line of string between two wooden stakes and follow it as a guide. If you want to achieve a domed, crenulated, or pitched look, you could use wooden frames to ensure neatness and uniformity.
How to Trim Hard-to-Reach Areas
If your hedges are very tall, step ladders may not be able to ‘cut it’. In this case, you can invest in an adjustable hedge trimmer such as a STIHL HLA 56 Cordless Long-Reach Hedgetrimmer. These hedge trimmers are specifically designed with tilting blades that are able to trim the tops of hedges while you operate the base from the ground.
When Should I Trim My Hedges?
Technically speaking, for most garden hedges there is no right or wrong time. The best time to trim is quite simply when it looks like the hedge needs it. Formal hedges can be trimmed around twice a year to maintain maximum aesthetic appeal, first in the spring or summer months and then once more come autumn, to prepare for winter and months where plant growth goes dormant.
Informal hedges are much more forgiving, as their haphazard and semi-natural appearance hides overgrowth well. Summer is a good time to trim informal hedges, generally. It is a time when they will thrive and heal well. Not to mention it will be more comfortable for you to spend time in the garden during the warmer weather.
Remember to Consider Local Wildlife
Hedges are a popular nesting area for birds and some ground-dwelling wildlife. Before you start trimming, make sure to check for signs of activity or active nests. Trimming a hedge that is home to wildlife is actually illegal, as stated by the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, Section 1.
If you do find a nest but still need to trim your hedge, you might just have to wait. Nesting season is between March and the end of August, so if you do find a nest during these times it is best that you extend your cutting dates to after the birds and any nestlings have moved on.
Attempting to cut before they have flown is not only against the law, but could also result in intentional harm and abandoned eggs due to disruption.
Your One-Stop-Shop for Efficient Hedge Trimming
Whether you need handheld tools for foliage detailing or high-powered tools for grander trimming projects, our curated range consists of industry-leading manufacturers such as Wilkinson Sword and STIHL, so you can always trust the quality you are receiving.
Now you have a better idea of technique, prepare for trimming season with the tools you can rely on.
