If you have hedges in and around your property, it’s more than likely you have needed to trim them back in the summer months. If your hedge has been a haven for nesting birds, then the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 has prevented you from trimming the hedges back until the nests are empty.
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September or early autumn is a good time to trim back any hedges that have become unruly over the growing season. Boundary hedges can grow in every direction very quickly and making sure they do not overhang on your neighbour’s side is courteous. If the hedge is intruding on pavements or public footpaths then under the Highways Act 1980, it is a legal requirement to trim it back vertically, so it is no longer causing any obstruction.
When to trim
Formal hedges and topiary should be trimmed back into its desired shape in early September. Evergreens are prone to injury and disease so make sure the last trim is late august / early September when they are still active.
When pruning conifers or leyland cypress, be mindful that they do not shoot from old wood so avoid hard pruning in dormant months.
Autumn is an ideal time to trim yew.
Berry producing hedges should be maintained after the berries have passed.
For more information on different types of hedging plants and when to trim them, check out this RHS blog Hedges: trimming
Before you start
Start by making sure your equipment is sharp and lubricated.
We recommend Stihl Superclean Resin Solvent £20.86
Using safety equipment and gloves is imperative to avoid any injury.
Powered hedgtrimmers should not be used above shoulder
height. When trimming higher hedges use a ladder, platform or long reach
machine.
Electric machines should ideally have a RCD and always be mindful
of where the cable is when trimming.
Trimming techniques
If you have small or container hedges then using a hand trimmer, shears or secateurs will allow you to manoeuvre around the shrubs or bush. Remove any brown leaves or branches. Start by trimming the sides and taper up to the top. Continue to trim any new shoots at the top of the plant until dormant season.
We recommend:
Stihl Universal Secateurs Pruners £29.60
Handy 3.6v Lithium-Ion Cordless Shrub Shear and Grass Blades £39.99
EGO CHT2001E Grass Shear/Shrub Trimmer Kit £74.95
Formal Hedges
A neatly shaped hedge is very pleasant on the eye, but it is quite tricky to create unless you’re a seasoned gardener. Tapering or cutter the hedge to a batter, gives the hedge more width at the bottom so sunlight can radiate fully down the plant.
For angled and symmetrical shapes, templates made from plywood are reusable and easier to follow, cardboard could also be used. String suspended between two rods or canes will create a horizontal guide for level cutting.
We recommend: Stihl HS87 T Petrol Hedge Trimmer £505
If you are using shears remember to keep them parallel to the hedge to ensure a crisp finish. Also when using shears, ensure that the top of the hedge is cut level and flat by keeping the blades parallel to the line of the hedge.
Powered hedge cutters should have the blade flat to the hedge and using a sweeping action move upwards from the bottom to the top. Hedge trimmers with rotating handles allow you to trim from side to side with an even flow and put less strain on wrists and arms.
Naturally Shaped Hedges
Informal pruning follows the plants natural shape. Cut back any dead or deceased branches and reduce it back to its required size.
Tall Hedges
For high hedges, you can use a platform or ladder, but if you prefer to have both feet firmly on the ground a long reach machine would be a better option.
We recommend:
Cobra LRH40E 500W 39cm Cut Long Reach Electric Hedge Trimmer £99.99
Greenworks G24PH51K2 24V Long Reach Hedgetrimmer £160
Mitox 28LH-a Select Long Reach Petrol Hedge Trimmer £199
A hedge cutter with an articulating blade can be angled to cut awkward shapes and flat hedge tops.
We recommend:
Stihl HLA 56 Cordless Long-Reach Hedge Trimmer (Tool Only) £199
Cobra LRH26C Long Reach Petrol Hedge cutter £209.95
Once you have trimmed back the hedges in and around your garden you shouldn’t need to do it again until the 1st signs of spring. Although, if you are planting new hedges over winter, prune them into shape whilst they are dormant.