How to Use a Hedge Trimmer: The Basics

Most mature hedges will require semi-regular maintenance in order to keep their shape and continue to thrive. You can use both petrol and electric hedge trimmers to do the job, depending on the size of your hedge, but generally speaking, an electric model will work well for most maintenance work – whilst also being a more environmentally friendly option. 

In this article, we will go through the step-by-step process of how to use a hedge trimmer safely, as well as some important considerations.

When to Trim Your Hedges

If your hedges are just-planted or still semi-mature, they will require some degree of formative pruning during the winter and early spring, in order to ensure they reach their full potential.

Once a hedge is more established, it will need to be trimmed in order to maintain its look and overall health. Informal hedges can be trimmed once a year, whereas formal hedges should be trimmed twice or sometimes even three times between the spring and summer. 

Key Things to Consider Before Using a Hedge Trimmer

When planning to prune your hedges, you must keep in mind the individual needs of its species and rate of growth, as some will need more regular and more rigorous pruning. But most importantly, you should be aware of the local fauna that may be taking residence in your hedge. 

Birds are a common occupant, especially in thick hedging, as they provide safety and sometimes even food. Nesting season takes place between march and august, and it is illegal to intentionally harm an active nest (as stated by the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981), so avoid pruning during this time and be mindful of any signs of wildlife activity in or around your hedgerow before you begin work.

Hedge Trimming Techniques

How you go about trimming your hedge will depend on its species and age, but we can group the various techniques into three distinct stages. 

Formative Pruning

Once a hedge is planted it will need to be pruned in order to shape its growth and ensure its longevity. Spring is the best time to prune young evergreens, whereas deciduous breeds prefer wintertime pruning.

After planting, cut away leading and side shoots by about a third. Monitor growth and repeat this process the following winter, and until they are more established in the space.

Informal Pruning

Informal hedges are wild in their shape and suit gardens that welcome wildlife or those looking to soften the edges of their landscaping. Think of species such as lavender, hawthorn, and field maple – all of which are popular informal hedges in the UK. 

Trimming informal hedges is similar to that of a standard shrub. Your focus will be to cut back stragglers and get the hedge to the required size, but neatness and uniformity are not the goals. 

The best tools for informal pruning are loppers or secateurs, which will help you to choose more precisely the branches or tendrils you want to remove, to maintain a natural appearance. 

Formal Pruning

Formal hedges have a uniform and tailored shape that would not occur naturally in the wild. This trimming technique is ideal for landscape or walkway bordering and for spatial divides between adjoining gardens.

Topiaries would be classed as a formal type of hedge, but other more casual species include box, hornbeam, beech, and yew. Most species can be cut formally, but only certain variants take well to this heavy-duty pruning technique, namely conifers.

To achieve a smooth and precise finish, it is best to use electric or petrol hedge trimmers. With their long serrated blades, they are able to create even cuts that are less likely to cause unsightly mangling or disease as a result of damage.

Tips for Trimming Hedges Safely

Though a simple process, it is important to practice proper health and safety when trimming your hedges. Be sure you understand how to use your chosen equipment safely, whether it be manually operated or electrically powered.

If your handheld machinery is wired, a top safety tip is to throw the cord over your shoulder while you work, as this will keep it trailing behind you and avoid trips and tangles. 

Other important factors include: 

• Weather conditions: Avoid cutting your hedges in the rain, as this will not produce the best results and, if you are using an electric trimmer, could be very dangerous.

• Protective gear: What you wear should allow for free range motion and fit tightly, with nothing loose that could be caught in your tools. Proper work boots and gloves are also ideal, as well as goggles to protect your eyes from debris.

• Clear space to work: It is important that you keep the area around your hedge clear of fallen leaves and other natural debris while you work. During the process try to regularly clear this excess using raking equipment. 

• Possible intrusion: Before you begin trimming, make sure children and pets are safely inside or in an area where they cannot interfere with the process and put you or themselves at risk. Try to section off the area, if you can, using rope or stakes, and practice constant vigilance while working.

Long-Term Hedge Trimmer Maintenance

Once you are finished trimming, rake away any loose branches and leaves and dispose of them in a waste bin or compost heap. After this, make sure you clean your trimmer. When in use, the blades will experience a build-up of sap that could jam the mechanisms or dull the blades if left unchecked. Using water and a cloth, whilst wearing thick gloves, carefully wipe away residue after each use. 

Certain brands require different cleaning methods, so check in with the manufacturer to be sure you are cleaning properly. Some trimmers, for example, require lubrication for their blades. Others under warranty may be voided if cleaned incorrectly, so it is always worth checking.

Hedge trimmers also require semi-regular sharpening. It is recommended that you sharpen your hedge trimmer after roughly fifty hours of work, in order to protect its long-term performance. To do this, you will need to release the blades and clamp them in a vice, then run a metal filer along their length. Once finished, apply a protective coating of oil, like linseed, and repeat the process on the second blade. 

For a step-by-step process of how to sharpen your hedge trimmer blades, check out our guide.